Is It Possible to Scratch Granite?
Granite flooring and countertops are among the highlights of the most interesting celebrity real estate listings in 2019. Director F. Gary Gray, known for films such as The Italian Job, purchased a Southern California villa with extensive granite applications in the kitchen, bathrooms, and even decorative structures near the swimming pool. In Utah, legendary basketball player Michael Jordan listed a private mountain resort for $7.5 million, and it also featured granite countertops. Granite remains a popular material, and its durability is a reason many homeowners prefer it. While granite resists scratching better than some surfaces, it’s not completely scratch-proof. Here’s what you need to know about the possibility of granite being scratched.
The Mineral Hardness of Granite
According to the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, granite scores between 6 and 6.5, which makes it harder than marble but softer than quartzite, topaz gems, and diamonds. Rubbing a piece of pumice stone on a granite surface won’t leave scratches, but a sharpened stainless steel blade likely would, especially when the surface is struck with sufficient force and at a certain angle. The corner of a diamond will certainly scratch granite because its mineral hardness ranks at the top of the Mohs scale. Cleaning and protecting granite and other types of natural stone involves a crucial three-step process. Here's a quick video explaining what you need to do:
Objects that Can Scratch Granite
As previously mentioned, a deliberate cut from a sharpened blade can scratch granite, particularly sushi knives made with 440C chromium steel. You can carefully walk with aluminum soccer cleats across granite tiles without scratching the floor, but dragging them with pressure supported by your body weight could leave visible scratches. Certain grades of steel wool can scratch granite, which is why you should only use a stone-safe cleaning pad such as Granite Gold Scrub Sponge®. A piece of broken glass dragged across a granite floor may also leave surface scratches, and sandpaper with a grit that’s strong enough to remove splinters will probably cause scratches as well.
Scratching Versus Etching
In some cases, stubborn stains that don’t come off despite vigorous scrubbing may appear to be scratches. Etching is a chemical reaction caused by substances that seep through the tiny pores of stone surfaces. Many common household cleaning products contain chemicals that can cause etching, but you can prevent this by only using a stone-safe granite cleaner on your countertops. Something else you should do to avoid etching is keep your granite flooring, countertops, and panels sealed.
Dealing with Scratched Granite Surfaces
When you notice scratching on your granite tiles or slabs, your first step should be to clean the surface to ensure you’re not looking at a stain. On countertops, you can apply granite polish and try to buff the scratches away, which could make the lightest surface scratches disappear. Make sure to seal and polish the area you refinished after the scratches are gone. In cases of etching, deep scratches, or other serious damage, you’ll need to contact a professional stone restoration specialist for repairs. To learn more about caring for granite and other types of natural stone, including marble, limestone, and slate, contact the Stone Care Experts at Granite Gold® today. Call 1-800-475-STONE (7866), and use our Store Locator to locate a store near you that carries Granite Gold® brand products.