Countertop care instructions
GRANITE
Caring for granite countertops involves daily cleaning with mild dish soap and water or a pH-neutral cleaner, using coasters, and sealing the surface every 1–3 years to prevent stains. Avoid acidic cleaners (vinegar, lemon), harsh chemicals, and abrasive sponges to prevent etching and damaging the sealer.
Daily Maintenance & Cleaning
- Wipe Down: Use a soft cloth or microfiber towel with warm water and a few drops of pH-neutral dish soap or a dedicated granite cleaner.
- Avoid Harsh Cleaners: Never use vinegar, ammonia, bleach, or bathroom/tile cleaners, which can erode the sealant.
- Immediate Cleanup: Wipe up spills—especially oil, wine, coffee, or acidic substances—immediately to prevent them from soaking into the porous stone.
- Dry the Surface: Dry with a soft cloth to avoid streaks or water spots.
Long-Term Protection & Care
- Seal Annually: Reseal your granite every 1–3 years to maintain stain resistance, particularly if water no longer beads on the surface.
- Use Protection: Use cutting boards to prevent scratching and trivets or cooling racks for hot pots.
- Deep Clean: Once a week, use a specialized granite cleaner for deeper cleaning and to maintain shine.
- Remove Stains: Create a paste of baking soda and water to lift stains; apply to the spot, cover with plastic wrap, let it sit for 24 hours, then rinse.
What to Avoid
- Acidic Products: Lemon juice, lime, or vinegar can damage the sealant.
- Abrasive Cleaners: Avoid powdered cleansers or scouring pads.
- Standing Water: Do not leave wet sponges or bottles on the counter for long periods, as this can cause moisture stains.
QUARTZ
Quartz countertops are durable and non-porous, requiring minimal maintenance. Clean daily with mild soap, water, and a soft cloth, avoiding abrasive pads, harsh chemicals (bleach, oven cleaners), and excessive heat. Use trivets for hot pans and cutting boards to prevent scratches. Quartz does not need sealing.
Daily Care and Cleaning
- Routine Cleaning: Use a soft cloth or sponge with warm water and mild dish soap.
- Spills: Wipe up liquids, spills, and food immediately to prevent stains, especially on lighter-colored quartz.
- Avoid Residue: Thoroughly rinse with water and dry with a soft cloth or paper towel to prevent soap residue or spotting.
- Safe Cleaners: Use non-abrasive cleaners, such as Soft Scrub, Windex, or similar pH-neutral products.
How to Avoid Damage
- Heat Protection: Use trivets or hot pads for electric skillets, slow cookers, and hot pans, as high heat can damage the resin.
- Cutting Boards: Always use a cutting board to prevent scratches and keep knives sharp.
- Safe Cleaners: Avoid bleach, oven cleaners, oil soaps, and abrasive cleaners. Ammonia-based cleaners should also be avoided.
- Surface Safety: Avoid letting harsh chemicals, such as nail polish remover or permanent markers, come into contact with the surface.
Handling Stubborn Stains
- Dried Residue: Use a plastic putty knife to gently scrape off dried materials like gum or food.
- Tough Stains: For stubborn spots, use a gentle cleanser such as Bar Keepers Friend or a mix of baking soda and water.
- Disinfection: A mixture of equal parts isopropyl alcohol and water can be used for deep cleaning.
Long-Term Care
- No Sealing Required: Unlike granite, quartz is non-porous and never needs to be sealed or polished.
- Inspect Edges: Periodically check seams and edges for stress, particularly around sinks and dishwashers.
MARBLE
Caring for marble countertops requires a proactive approach focusing on preventing stains and acidic etching. Use a pH-neutral cleaner, mild dish soap, and warm water for daily cleaning with a microfiber cloth, ensuring you seal the stone every 6–12 months. Immediately wipe up spills—especially acidic ones like citrus, wine, or vinegar—to prevent damage, and always use cutting boards and trivets.
Daily Care and Cleaning
- Use Gentle Cleaners: Only use mild dish soap and warm water or a pH-neutral cleaner specifically formulated for natural stone.
- Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Never use vinegar, lemon juice, bleach, ammonia, or abrasive cleaners, as they can etch the surface.
- Wipe Immediately: Blot up spills, especially oil and acidic liquids, instantly, as marble is porous and stains easily.
- Use Microfiber Cloths: Use soft microfiber cloths or sponges to avoid scratching the surface.
- Dry Thoroughly: Always dry the surface with a clean cloth to prevent water spots.
Preventive Maintenance
- Seal Regularly: Apply a high-quality, penetrating sealer specifically for marble to protect it from stains. A good rule of thumb is to check every 6 months to 1 year; if water does not bead on the surface, it is time to reseal.
- Use Protection: Use cutting boards for food prep, and place coasters under glasses and trivets under hot pots.
- Use Trays: Keep toiletries and soap dispensers on trays to prevent drips from damaging the surface in bathrooms.
Handling Stains and Etches
- Poultice for Stains: For stubborn stains, create a paste (poultice) of baking soda and water, apply it, cover with plastic wrap for 24 hours, then rinse.
- Remove Etch Marks: Light etches can sometimes be polished out with a marble polishing powder.
Stain and Etch Removal
- Etch Marks (Dull Spots): Buff out light etching with a dry 0000 steel wool pad.
- Oil Stains: Apply a poultice made of baking soda and water or cornstarch to draw out oils, covering for 1-2 hours, then rinse.
- Organic Stains: Use hydrogen peroxide to remove stains from food or beverages.
MARBLE
Marble requires specialized care due to its porous and soft nature. Prevent damage by sealing annually, cleaning spills immediately, and using pH-neutral cleaners. Avoid acidic substances like vinegar, lemon juice, or harsh cleaners to prevent etching. Protect surfaces using cutting boards, coasters, and trivets.
QUARTZITE
Caring for quartzite countertops involves daily cleaning with mild dish soap and warm water, immediate spill cleanup, and annual sealing to prevent stains, as quartzite is a porous natural stone. Avoid acidic cleaners (vinegar, citrus), abrasive pads, and harsh chemicals, which can etch the surface. Use cutting boards and trivets to protect the stone from scratches and heat.
Daily Care and Cleaning
- Gentle Cleaning: Use a soft microfibre cloth or sponge with warm water and a few drops of mild dish soap, such as Dawn.
- Avoid Harsh Products: Never use cleaners containing vinegar, lemon juice, bleach, ammonia, or abrasive sponges, as they can damage the sealer and dull the surface.
- Immediate Cleanup: Wipe up spills promptly, particularly acidic substances like wine, coffee, or citrus juices, to prevent staining.
Long-Term Maintenance and Protection
- Sealing: Seal quartzite countertops every 1–3 years to maintain stain resistance, as some varieties are more porous than others. Professional sealing, such as with products like HydroShield, is often recommended.
- Heat Protection: Although quartzite is heat-resistant, use trivets or hot pads to prevent damage from hot pans.
- Use Cutting Boards: Avoid cutting directly on the surface to prevent surface scratches.
Dealing with Stains
If staining occurs, create a thick paste using baking soda and water (or a commercial poultice), apply it to the spot, cover with plastic wrap for 24–48 hours, and then wipe away.
PORCELAIN
- Porcelain countertops are durable, non-porous, and heat-resistant, requiring minimal maintenance. Clean daily with warm water, mild soap, and a microfiber cloth. Avoid harsh acidic cleaners, abrasive scrubbers, and high-impact, heavy blows on edges. While they resist stains and heat, using trivets for hot items and cutting boards is recommended. Daily Maintenance & Cleaning
- Best Routine: Simply wipe down with warm, soapy water and a soft, non-abrasive cloth or microfiber sponge.
- Stain Removal: For stubborn spots, use a mild cream cleaner or a mixture of baking soda and water.
- Avoid: Harsh chemical cleaners, acidic liquids (like vinegar in high concentrations), or steel wool, which can damage the surface finish.
Preventing Damage
- Heat: While porcelain is heat-resistant, it is still best to use trivets or mats for pots and pans.
- Scratches: Use cutting boards. Although tough, metallic streaks can occur from knives.
- Impact: Avoid dropping heavy items, especially on edges or corners, to prevent chipping.
Key Considerations
- Sealing: Most porcelain is non-porous and does not require sealing, though you should check with your fabricator.
- Repairs: Minor chips can sometimes be repaired with a porcelain repair kit, but generally, damage is not easily fixed.
- Dark Surfaces: These may require more frequent cleaning to remove streaks and fingerprints.
SOAPSTONE
Daily Cleaning
- Use mild soap and warm water with a sponge or cloth.
- Avoid harsh chemicals; standard household cleaners are generally fine, but avoid those with added phosphorus or bleach.
- Rinse with clean water and dry to prevent streaks.
Darkening and Maintenance (Oiling)
- Soapstone naturally turns from light gray to dark charcoal or black over time. Mineral oil or wax accelerates this process.
- Apply food-grade mineral oil to the surface, let it sit for a few hours (or 15-30 minutes), then wipe off the excess.
- Frequency: Oil weekly for the first few months, then as needed (e.g., every 6 months) to maintain a consistent dark color.
Repairing Scratches and Dents
- Minor scratches: Rub with a little mineral oil to make them disappear.
- Deeper scratches/nicks: Use fine-grit (around 150-grit) sandpaper or an emery board to sand the area in a circular motion, then re-apply oil to blend.
Key Tips
- Heat Resistance: Soapstone is heat-resistant, but using trivets is still recommended to protect the surface, especially near high-heat areas.
- Cutting Boards: While durable, using cutting boards is recommended to avoid scratching.
- No Sealer Needed: Unlike granite or marble, soapstone never requires chemical sealers.