How To Keep Your Granite Countertops From Getting "Cloudy"

Granite is a popular "finishing choice" for homeowners in Scottsdale because of its good-looks and its strength. A well-maintained granite counter-top boasts natural beauty and outlasts most other finishes.

But granite is also natural rock, mined from the earth. It's porous and highly absorbent.

Therefore, if your home features granite in its kitchen, its bathrooms, or other living spaces, you'll want to make sure the counter-tops are cared for to prevent staining and/or clouding over time. 

The first step is to seal your countertops every 12 months -- 6 months in areas of heavy use.

Sealing a counter-top is akin to applying polyurethane to hardwood flooring; it protects the material's natural traits, while keeping out "the elements". Specifically, sealing granite creates a non-porous layer on the surface that is impenetrable to juice and grease, as examples.

Sealant can be purchased at a local hardware store, or on Amazon.com. Prices start around $10. Just make sure you're following the manufacturer's application instructions. Sealant won't work if applied improperly.

Then, once sealed, avoid harsh cleansers. Instead, opt for a warm sponge and mild detergent. Cleaning with soap will help leave a reflective finish on the surface that will not strip the seal. Using soap also prevents the "cloudy counterspy" condition that's so common with granite.

And, lastly, every day, take preventative measures to keep your granite shining. Just because a countertop is sealed, that doesn't mean it's immune to damage. Use coasters under beverages, put hot plates under dishes, and clean up spills as they happen. 

A granite counter-top will last years will proper care.

Would Your Kitchen Pass A Health Inspection?

Americans spend a lot of time cooking and eating in their kitchens. What are you doing to keep yours germ- and bacteria-free?

In this two-part, 6-minute video from NBC's The Today Show, you'll first ride alongside a county health inspector as he visits a home and inspects its kitchen. The tested areas include the refrigerator, the cutting boards, the sponges, the utensils, the ovens, and more. Ultimately, the home "passes", but not before the inspector points out some problems from which we all can learn.

Then, in the video's second part, you'll learn how to keep your own kitchen clean and healthy.

• How much bleach to dilute to clean sinks, and how often to clean them
• Why "time-to-evaporate" is an important metric when shopping for disinfectants
• Comparing wood vs. glass vs. plastic cutting boards, and how to sanitize them, respectively

Keeping a germ-free kitchen requires constant attention and a routine cleaning schedule. Thankfully, it's a simple process. Follow the basic steps as outlined by The Today Show, and your home would pass inspection.

How To Protect Your Home From The Influenza Virus

The 2010-2011 Flu Season has started and the Center for Disease Control expects that the H1N1 influenza virus (i.e "Swine Flu") will play a large role in Scottsdale and worldwide, as in 2009-2010. Last year, the virus reached pandemic status -- the first time that's happened in 40 years.

In public places, avoiding "germy" places can be difficult. But within your home, you can easily create germ-free spaces.  This 4-minute interview from NBC's The Today Show teaches about the flu virus, and how to protect yourself.

A few of the cleanliness tips shared include:

• Flu virus can live for up to 8 hours on a household surface
• Computer keyboards carry 400 times more bacteria than a toilet seat
• Make sure your cleaning tools (i.e. sponges, mops) are, themselves, clean

The video also shares tips for keeping a cleaner, safer home, plus facts on the influenza virus.

Stay clean, stay healthy, and consider vaccinations. The flu virus hospitalizes 200,000 people each year.

 

Rid Your Kitchen Of Hidden Dirt And Grime

A kitchen is often a home's busiest room -- a meeting place for meals and conversation. It's also among the home's most grimy rooms. Bacteria, dirt and germs collect on floors, on countertops, and inside appliances.

In this 4-minute clip from NBC's The Today Show, you'll learn how to rid your kitchen of "nastiness".  The featured fixes use nothing but basic household cleansers and elbow grease, and they include:

• How to clean and restore wooden cutting boards and bowls
• How to remove "burn stains" from the side of a frying pan
• How to eliminate pervasive dishwasher odors

The segment also tackles why you should choose loofah over sponge, and how to catch fruit flies.

For as much time as you spend in your kitchen, it's best to keep it clean and sanitized.

White Distilled Vinegar : An Environmentally-Friendly Home Cleaning Solution

Supermarket aisles in the Scottsdale area are filled with specialty cleansers -- some for the kitchen, some for the bathroom, some for the carpets. Loaded with chemicals, these cleansers can be tough on the environment and costly, too.

If you're in search of an alternative, consider white distilled vinegar.  It's inexpensive, safe to store, and highly effective as a household cleanser.

White vinegar's strength comes from its acidity, roughly 8%. It's acidity kills most mold, germs, and bacteria, and can remove minerals deposits from coffee makers and glass surfaces.

Some uses for white distilled vinegar include:

• Cleaning the garbage disposal : 1/2 cup hot white distilled vinegar + 1/2 cup baking soda. Pour down drain and let sit for 5 minutes. Run hot water to flush it.
• Removing lunch box odors : Soak bread slice in white distilled vinegar. Place it in lunch box overnight.
• Remove dark spots on aluminum pots : Mix 1 cup white distilled vinegar + 1 cup hot water.  Boil in pot.
• Brighten carpets : Mix solution of 1 cup white distilled vinegar + 1 gallon water. Test on inconspicuous area first.
• Remove water rings from wood : Mix solution of 1/4 cup white distilled vinegar + 1/4 cup vegetable oil. Rub with the grain.

White distilled vinegar is extremely versatile, but it can strip finish from counter-tops and floors if left to soak. Be sure to exercise care, therefore, when using vinegar at home.

How To Clean Your Grill For Better Tasting Food

A well-maintained grill is the key to great tasting food, season after season -- chicken, meats, fish or other.  And keeping your grill clean is simple.

In this 4-minute from Lowe's, you'll learn basic, pre-grilling cleaning tricks, plus how to breakdown your gas grill completely and clean its parts.

Some of the pointers from the video:

• Clean your grill before every use using the grill's own heat and a wire brush
• Don't try to clean rusted and/or broken grill grates -- replace them
• After long periods of non-use, check your burners for insects and pests

The video is geared at beginners and includes a step-by-step tutorial. Even the most seasoned griller could probably pick up a tip or two.