Surface Care

How to properly clean and maintain your counters

Natural Stone Care and Use

Congratulations on selecting natural stone for your project. By following a few simple guidelines you will enjoy a lifetime of beauty and functionality from your stone.

Granite
Material Use

Granite is by far the most resilient and durable of the stones commonly used. Because of these characteristics, granite is an excellent choice for inside as well as outside of your home. Hot pans and light cutting have little effect except to cool your pans and dull your knives.

Sealing

Sealing is best done with an impregnating sealer (this also should have been left by your installer). Sealers will let you know when they need to be reapplied. When they are working, water will bead on the surface like a wax job on a car. If the stone darkens from water, it is time to seal again. Read and follow manufacturers’ recommendations.

Precautions
  1. Do not use harsh abrasive cleansers.
  2. Do not set large hot objects close to sink or stove openings.
  3. Wipe up spills as they occur.
Marble and Limestone
Surface Use

Marble and limestone are calcium based materials and are susceptible to etching and staining. These materials are relatively softer than granite and scratch easier. Marble and limestone’s creamy texture and rich colors make them a desirable medium. With proper care and a few precautions, marble and limestone are very easy to live with.

Cleaning

Cleaning is best done with stone soap (which should have been left by your installer), or as a second choice, a mild non-colored detergent may be used. A dilute solution of ammonia and water (20 parts water to 1 part ammonia) may be used occasionally to remove any soap residue.

Sealing

Sealing is best done with an impregnating sealer (this should have been left by your installer). Sealers will let you know when they need to be reapplied. When they are working, water will bead on the surface like a wax job on a car. If the stone darkens from water, it is time to seal again. Read and follow manufacturers’ recommendations.

Precautions
  1. Never use harsh or abrasive cleansers.
  2. Wipe up spills as they occur.
  3. Do not use colored cleansers or Windex.
  4. Use coasters under glasses.
  5. Use glass or ceramic coasters under plants.
  6. Squeegee walls in tub surrounds and showers when through.
Positive Forces of Granite
Natural Beauty

Granite brings the beauty of nature right into the home. The highly reflective surface acts like a mirror. With adjacent windows to the granite countertops, reflections of the sky and trees are brought into the kitchen.

Cleanup

Generally a simple wipe with warm water, soap and a towel will cleanup any mess, virtually leaving the surface unscathed.

Color

Each granite slab comes from a different quarry, while no two quarries in the world yield the same color. Granite comes in a wide variety of colors, ranging from subtle to dazzling in intensity.

Durability

One of the most compelling reasons for choosing granite is its durability. Granite has a toughness that surpasses any other countertop material. Bacon grease, fish marinade, cranberries, Dijon mustard, tomato or grape juice, and wine – a simple wipe with soap and warm water will leave no stain.

Strength

Strength is very critical in surfaces used so frequently. Dulling, scratching, scorching, or blistering is virtually unheard of. Hot pots, frying pans, and casserole dishes set directly on the countertop won’t mar the surface. In fact, marble stains easily while laminates, Corian and Fountainhead are prone to blistering, cracking and scratching while granite countertops remain unharmed. Being so strong and durable, granite countertops could literally outlast the rest of the house.

Satisfaction

Satisfaction is virtually assured. Besides its strength and durability, granite provides an almost carefree surface, exasperating elegance and beauty. No longer do you have to be a millionaire to enjoy granite, since the price has reduced dramatically. Unlike synthetic customers, granite customers will be devotees for a lifetime.

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