Care and Maintenance
CLEANING
Natural Stone and Quartz Countertops:
Clean stone surfaces with a neutral cleaner, stone soap, or a mild liquid dishwashing detergent and warm water.
Similar to any item cleaned in your home, an excessive concentration of cleaner or soap may leave a film and cause streaks. Follow manufacturer recommendations.
Use a clean soft cloth on surfaces for best results.
Rinse the surface thoroughly after washing with the soap solution and dry with a soft cloth.
Change the rinse water frequently.
In the bath or other wet areas, soap scum can be minimized by using a squeegee after each use.
To remove soap scum, use a non-acidic soap scum remover or a solution of ammonia and water
(about 1/2 cup ammonia to a gallon of water). Frequent or over-use of an ammonia solution may eventually dull the surface of some stone types.
Cleaning Products
Products containing lemon, vinegar or other acids may dull or etch calcareous stones.
Do not use scouring powders, creams, and/or sponges as they often contain abrasives that may damage countertops.
Many commercially available rust removers (laundry rust stain removers, toilet bowl cleaners) contain trace levels of hydrofluoric acid (HF). This acid attacks silicates in addition to other minerals. All stones, including granite and quartzite, will be attacked if exposed to HF.
Do not mix ammonia and bleach. This combination creates a toxic and lethal gas.
Natural Stone and Quartz Countertops: Honed or Leather Finish
For daily cleaning of honed or leather finished stone or quartz products, use Countertop Magic® or mild dish soap with warm water and a soft clean cloth.
All of the cleaners mentioned above can be purchased at most hardware stores.
For more information, please visit the National Stone Institute website (link below).
SEALING
Quartz Products
Quartz (excluding some honed or leathered products) surfaces do not require sealing.
Natural Stone (excluding Soapstone)
Your countertops have been sealed prior to installation. Some stones will only need sealing every few years depending on the stone’s porosity and your daily use of the countertops. To determine if your countertop needs resealing, perform a “water test”. Learn how in the “Additional Information” section.
Few granite and most marble, limestone, and travertine require an immediate application or multiple applications of sealer by the homeowner. The natural porosity of these stones and its use in your home requires them to have more initial sealing.
To seal your countertops, stone sealers are available through various stone suppliers and hardware stores.
Avoid sealers with "Enhancer" or "Ager". This will darken your stone and you will not be able to remove it.