Proper Care Of Your Silgranit Sink

Your kitchen sink is used for a variety of jobs and sees a lot of traffic throughout the life of your home. At Perry Hood Properties, our homes are built with Silgranit kitchen sinks by Blanco because they’re both durable and stylish. To keep them looking great, there are a few manufacturer suggested tips you should follow.

Keep it dry

It may sound strange that you need to keep your kitchen sink dry, but due to mineral deposits in water, allowing it to sit will create spots over time. You don’t need to dry the sink every time you use it, but be sure to wipe it with a soft cloth regularly, particularly if you’ll be away for extended periods of time.

Non-abrasive cleaners

You want to keep your sink clean, but you can actually over-do it and damage your sink’s surface. Abrasive cleaners containing chlorine or hydrochloric acid. You’ll also want to clean with soft sponges or cloths, rather than steel wool or metal scrub pads. Blanco offers a cleaner specifically made for their sinks but there are also a number of cleaners and polishes available that will maintain the luster of your kitchen sink.

Use a sink bottom

Dropping sharp items into your sink can damage the surface and leave you with small nicks. To fully protect your sink, consider adding a sink bottom that fits the sink bowl and protects it from scratches and nicks. Blanco makes sink bottoms for all of their sink models and there are other options available as well.

Avoid stains

Speaking of sink bottoms, you’ll want to be careful about what type you use. Rubber-coated mats when left for long periods of time tend to cause discoloration of your sink. Additionally, wet sponges or cleaning products that are left over time will also leave stains and discoloration, just as they would with any sink. It’s always a good idea to rinse and wipe down your sink after pouring any type of chemicals or colored liquids into it and after cleaning.

At Perry Hood Properties, we build our homes with high quality materials and help our clients keep those homes looking great for years to come. To see the homes that are currently available in Tulsa, Bixby and Broken Arrow, browse through our online Catalog.

March 17, 2015Blanco, cleaning, maintenance, Silgranit, sinks

Cleaning And Care Tips For Your Granite Countertops

Granite countertops look great and can be found in most of our available homes, but keeping them looking like new takes a little expertise. At WikiHow, there’s a helpful list of cleaning and care tips that will keep your granite countertops looking the way they did when you moved in. Here’s everything you need to know.

Daily Care

There are many cleaning products that are actually harmful to your granite surfaces. Powdered and acidic cleaners will actually damage your countertops over time. Instead, simply try warm water with a dish washing detergent. Clean with a soft cloth, then rinse with water and dry. Be sure to clean stains as they happen. It’s also important to remember that prolonged exposure to hot pans is harmful and using your countertop as a cutting surface will result in scratches and nicks.

Heavy Cleaning

If your counters have been neglected and are in need of some renovation, you’ll need more than soap and water. There are a number of products specifically for cleaning stone available. Consider using one of these along with a degreaser for a deep clean that won’t damage the stone. Continue using a soft cloth as using stiff brushes or similar products could scratch your counters.

Tough Stains

Typically, wiping up a spill is all that’s necessary to remove a stain on granite countertops. However, you’ll occasionally find a stubborn stain that doesn’t come out so easily, especially if it’s been left for a long time or subjected to heat. In these cases, use a poultice. This is an absorptive clay powder that will pull deep set stains out of stone. It may also remove the polish, but you can use a marble polish to restore it once the stain is gone.

Sealing Granite

Not all countertops require a seal and many manufacturers treat their granite before it leaves the factory. If your countertops are more than 10 years old, however, they may need to be resealed. It’s a good idea to check with the manufacturer before sealing. If your counters need it, start by thoroughly cleaning them. Once the granite has dried for several hours, spread sealer with a rag or foam brush, let dry for 10-minutes then apply a second coat. Be sure to blot any spots or drips. After it sets for 12-hours, your counters should be ready to use again.

These are the basic maintenance tips any homeowner needs to know in order to keep their granite counters looking beautiful.

For homes featuring granite countertops and many other amenities, call Perry Hood Properties or browse through our available homes.

February 24, 2015countertops, granite, maintenance, WikiHow2 Comments

4 Spring Maintenance Chores For Your Home

Spring is coming, which brings with it a list of chores to do around the house. Winter takes a toll, especially on the outside of your home, and the start of spring is a great time to repair the damage. At the HGTV blog, Dwight Barnett put together a “maintenance list” for homeowners to take care of this spring. Here are a few tasks you’ll want to do to keep your home looking beautiful.

Check the gutters

You probably haven’t cleaned the gutters since the fall so you’ll want to ensure they’re free of debris before the spring rains. While you’re up there, check for any leaks or loose gutters. And be sure that all downspouts point away from your foundation.

Add soil

The winter months tend to result in low areas and holes throughout your yard and garden. Animals, rains and snow tend to remove soil and leave vulnerable areas for flooding and standing water, which attracts insects in the summer. The early spring is an ideal time to buy a few bags of soil and fill in any areas that need it.

Examine the roof

You can survey from the ground for any apparent damage or missing shingles, but it’s also a good idea to climb onto the roof for a closer look. That’s the only way you’ll be able to spot shingles that are damaged but still in place. You’ll also be able to examine the exterior of your chimney.

Service your heater and A/C

Your heater and your A/C require annual service calls to keep them operating efficiently. You could wait until the fall to have your heater serviced, but it’s usually easier to remember to have both done at once. Not only will a serviceman be able to keep both units running for the duration of the season, but they’ll also save you on energy costs by keeping the units clean. The spring is also a good time to change interior filters.

These tasks keep your home looking nice and save you on potentially costly repairs down the road.

At Perry Hood Properties, we build beautiful homes throughout the Tulsa, Bixby and Broken Arrow areas. To browse through our available homes, click here.

February 18, 2015Dwight Barnett, HGTV, home tips, maintenance

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Tag: maintenance

Proper Care Of Your Silgranit Sink

Cleaning And Care Tips For Your Granite Countertops

4 Spring Maintenance Chores For Your Home