Countertop Maintenance

Granite & Natual Stone Care & Maintenance

To keep granite countertops clean, use a microfiber cloth to dust off countertop surfaces. Wipe down the granite countertops daily and as needed using water. Once a week wipe down with a damp cloth and a stone cleaner formulated with a neutral pH. Never use harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners. They can scratch, pit, and etch the surface of the stone.

 

1. Wipe up spills immediately. Unsealed Granite can absorb liquid and can be damaged if the spill is left to sit long enough.
2. Use mild soap and water to clean the counters regularly. However, if used too frequently, a film may develop and dull the shine. Simple Green works well in restoring the granite's natural shine.
3. Purchase granite sealer from a home improvement store, and read and follow the directions closely. Granite that isn't sealed can provide a place for bacteria to accumulate, as well as discolor quickly.
5. Use hot pads and coasters and avoid setting pots, pans or glasses directly on the counter, as they may leave a ring, especially if the countertop isn't sealed. Hot pots and pans may burn the counter.
6. Utilize cutting boards. Though granite is a very hard stone there may still be pieces that can be chipped away, altering the look of the counter.
7. Remove stains on light colored granite by mixing a poultice of dishwashing soap, flour and water to make a paste. Apply this to the stain and cover in plastic wrap. Allow this to sit overnight, and scrape off the next morning with a wooden spoon or plastic spatula. Rinse the area with a soft damp cloth and dry with a separate dry cloth
8. Mix 1 cup of flour with a few tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide and place on a stain on darker colored granite. Allow this to sit overnight, and scrape away the next morning. Rinse the area with a soft damp cloth and dry with a separate dry cloth.

 

Sealing Your Natural Stone

1. Perform the paper towel test to verify your stone needs to be sealed
   -soak a paper towel (without printing) or white cloth towel. Place the water soaked towel on the counter for 5 minutes.
   -Is the area under the paper towel dark from the water soaking into the granite? If it is discolored, your granite needs to be sealed.
2. Uniformly apply the sealer to your counters using a clean white rag. You can use a brush instead of a rag.
3. Let the sealer absorb into the stone for approx. 20-25 minutes.
4. When the sealer is almost dry, apply a little more sealer to your granite, then rub it in with a clean, dry rag.
5. Wait at least 2 hours, then apply a second coat to your counters.

Quartz Care & Maintenance
Maintaining Quartz is easy. Simply wash with a soft cotton cloth and warm water, use a mild soap if desired.
DO NOT expose, in use or otherwise, Quartz to abrasive or strong alkaline or acid or free radicals or oxidizers or the like (whether high, neutral or low pH) cleaners. Various chemicals are corrosive and/or erosive in their ability to attack any structure including Quartz. Be very aware of these potential damages to your surface.
Quartz IS NOT heat proof, chemical proof or fracture proof in any form. Be aware of damaging exposure to these potential damaging acts upon your Quartz.
DO NOT use or expose Quartz to such products including, but not limited to bleach, oven cleaners, Comet®, Soft Scrub®, SOS®, products with pumice, batteries, paint removers, furniture strippers, tarnish or silver cleaners, or the like. DO NOT use abrasive or harsh scrub pads. DO NOT apply any sealers, penetrants or topical treatments to Quartz under any circumstances. Such products will wear off and cause the gloss to appear dull or inconsistent.

 

1. Quartz is pure natural quartz. Variation in the natural stone (quartz) color, pattern, size, shape and shade are inherent and unique characteristics to be expected with this Product. This does not affect the Product performance in any manner.
2. Color blotches are intended and designed into many colors to enhance the natural beauty. Samples are small select cuts from a slab; they do not exhibit all the characteristics of a color and therefore are not fully representative of what will be installed. Product will not be replaced due to these variations.
3. Quartz is durable and more resistant to surface damage than other stone. However, all stone can be damaged by force and no stone is chip-proof. Objects hitting edges particularly at sinks or dishwashers may cause chips. Though a minor knife slip will dull the knife and not harm Quartz, no stone surface is scratchproof. Surface markings are more visible on monotone colors than multi-colored surfaces.
4. Quartz is not a seamless Product, seams are visible. Where there are seams the Product pattern and shade can change.
5. Natural stone surfaces can be damaged by sudden and/or rapid change of temperature especially near the edges, as well as direct and/or sustained heating of the top. Quartz may not withstand the direct transfer of heat from pots and pans and other cooking units such as electric frying pans and griddles, and some crock-pots or roaster ovens and heat lamps. Therefore, the use of a hot pad or trivet is always recommended to prevent heating the Product.
6. Quartz is not a structural support Product. 2-cm and 3-cm Quartz thicknesses are for countertops and must be supported. 1-cm thicknesses are for surface finishes such as walls, tub and shower surrounds and fireplaces; horizontal applications such as a tub deck must be completely supported as well.
7. Semi-polished or Honed finishes (1-cm) will not shine and will soil and appear to stain from soiling.