Your quality kitchen island or kitchen cart work surface has been built with fine craftsmanship, and with a consistent amount of care and maintenance, you can lengthen the life of your work surface for many years. The following helpful information provides easy steps to help protect and prolong the life of the granite work surface on your kitchen island or kitchen cart.

When selecting a kitchen island or kitchen cart work surface you will need to consider the care involved with granite in order for your kitchen island or cart to keep its beauty and value. Granite, one of the most durable types of work surface tops available, is an igneous rock and contains different minerals that give it that speckled or salt-and-pepper look. While granite tops are very strong, there are precautions needed to avoid stains and damage, and taking good care of a granite kitchen island top will increase its longevity, and your work surface will continue to look beautiful for years.

It is vital that you know the kind of work surface or top you have; it may seem obvious that a surface is granite, but unless you specifically requested it, you cannot be too sure. There are many new products on the market now that look very much like real stone, but they are a stone composite. Real stone tops are a natural product, which makes them more porous. If you compare granite and stone composite samples, there are differences that you can see and feel. Granite will not have a pattern or symmetry in the design; and with a close look, you can see that composite stone does have a pattern.

There are many, many products that kitchen work surfaces clean. Trying different products will let you find one with the features you want, such as having a nice fragrance and will not streak or damage the top. There is an abundance of information about the new high end work surfaces and tops available online. You can contact the manufacturer or call a stone yard, and you can visit their websites for any special cleaning tips or how to tell when you need to re-seal a work surface. And definitely read the labels of the products you are going to use to clean the granite, and also visit those websites for additional care information.

Here are some general guidelines to follow to keep your granite looking its best.

Spills: Always clean up spills as soon as they happen; and use a blotting motion for liquids instead of wiping. This motion will help prevent scratches or spreading spilled liquids over the surface. Acidic liquids such as wine, citrus juice, even soda and household soap can break down the sealant and stain the surface. And be sure to clean up cooking oil spills quickly.

Cloth: Always use a soft cloth for wiping up spills. Apply a little warm water and some elbow grease for stubborn areas. You can also try baking soda as a natural cleansing agent that will work well on your granite surface. Although dish detergent will not necessarily hurt a granite top, consistent use can dull the surface.

Protective Coasters and Trivets: Try to make it a habit to use coasters, trivets or hot pads on your work surface. Granite holds up very well under heat, but using these protective items will help to keep heat away from the granite and will extend its life beautifully.

Cutting Boards: Always use a cutting board on granite work surfaces. Cutting on the stone directly may scratch the surface and will dull your knives.

Stone Sealers: These products are formulated to penetrate into the natural stone surfaces where they prevent damage and allow the stone to breathe and release moisture vapors. This process protects the work surface against water and oil-based stains, household acids and alkalis as well as mold and mildew growth, all of which can cause staining and discoloration. A sealant will not make your granite work surface completely resistant to stains; but it will give you more time to clean a spill before it has a chance to stain, and it will help keep the granite looking new. The life of a stone sealer varies based on a number of factors, but typically you will need to reapply sealer to your granite every two to three years. As a general rule of thumb, when water does not bead up on a granite surface, it is time to consider resealing the stone.

Cleaners: Natural stone tops do require more care, so cleaning as you prepare and cook is a good habit to develop so that your work surface can remain as beautiful as the day you got it. Dried-on food can be difficult to remove and red wine and grease can leave deep stains. Never use generic household cleaners on a granite kitchen island top, as acidic or abrasive cleaning products can deteriorate the sealant. If you need something other than water to help clean up a spill, use a mild dish soap to avoid damaging the stone.

--To remove water spots, wash the stain with a gentle detergent and water; use a soft bristled brush and scrub lightly. Rinse with clean water and pat dry.

--For slightly more stubborn stains, make a paste of baking soda and water, or talc with a diluted solution of bleach ammonia, or hydrogen peroxide. Scrub very gently with a soft brush and thoroughly rinse. Several applications may be needed to remove the stain.