Stone Care & Maintenance

GRANITE: A very durable material, able to resist scratching, burning, or chipping in all but the most extreme circumstances. We apply a protective, food safe, penetrating sealer to the granite which reduces it’s natural porosity. The sealer will help prevent staining of the material. Staining usually occurs when colored liquids or oils are left on the stone surface for an extended period of time. Wiping the counters with a soft cloth/ sponge using water or soapy water after use will prevent most stains. We recommend daily or weekly cleaning with our 3-in-1 protector, polisher, cleaner. Use of abrasive cleansers (such as Comet) should be avoided. Depend- ing on the color/ hardness, your granite may need resealing every 1-5 years. If you notice water absorption into the counter top or darker areas around the sink that is an indicator it is time to re-seal.

MARBLE & LIMESTONE: Are durable materials, but they are softer than granite. Because of this, additional care must be taken to maintain the original luster. Pure water (pH neutral) or pure water & mild soap (Ivory) is best for cleaning marble. Beacause of its chemical nature, acids will react with marble etching the surface. Common items to be careful with are: citrus fruits & juices, coke, coffee & detergents. Always use a coaster under your glass. Yearly applications of sealer are also recommended. If you plan on heavy use of the marble surface, it can also be waxed. Use of abrasive cleansers (such as Comet & Soft Scrub) should be avoided.

QUARTZ: Engineered Stone consists of mostly natural quartz aggregates along with color pigments & polyester resins. Avoid highly aggressive cleaning agents. Most multi-purpose cleaners can be used (such as Windex). The following chemicals or brand name products may be used to remove difficult spots or spills: Ammonia, Formula 409, Windex, Mineral Spirits, Lysol, Rubbing alcohol, Bleach (use sparingly). To clean difficult spots, soak the affected area with one of the above products for upto 10 minutes & scrub with a scotch brite pad. Limit use of bleach to 5 minutes. CAUTION: The following products are not recommended for use with Engineered Stone: products containing oils or powders may leave a residue. Repetitive exposure to extreme heat may damage Engineered Stone’s finish. Oven cleaners, Drano, Liquid Plumber & floor strippers may damage Engineered Stone’s finish. Use of oven or grill cleaners may discolor Engineered Stone & should be avoided. Long-term exposure to direct sunlight (UV rays) may result in discoloration of Engineered Stone, especially darker colors.

SOLID SURFACE: Use soapy water or ammonia based cleaners for most dirt & stains. Avoid exposing Solid Surface to strong chemicals such as paint removers, oven cleaners, etc. If contact occurs, quickly flush the surface with water. Remove nail polish with a non-acetone-based nail polish remover & flush with water. Do not cut directly on Solid Surface counter tops. Run cold water when pouring boiling water into sinks. Occasionally clean Solid Surface sinks by filling the sink one-quarter full with a 50/50 water/ bleach solution. Let soak for 15 minutes then wash sides & bottom as solution drains. For difficult stains on Matte/ Satin finishes use an abrasive cleaner and a green scotch brite pad. For Semi-gloss finishes use Soft Scrub or diluted bleach with a scotch brite pad.

CULTURED MARBLE: Regular cleaning with non-abrasive liquid or foam cleaners is all that is needed to maintain the beauty of Cultured Marble. Just using a squeegee on shower walls after each shower keeps the walls spotless. To remove soap build-up use products like Tilex Soap Scum Remover. Hard water build-up comes clean with a mild solution of vinegar & water. Very difficult stains can be removed with most stain removers. Be sure to rinse Cultured Marble well after using these cleaning products. A whirlpool tub that is used on a regular basis will help prevent build-up in the water lines. Mineral baths & oils are not recommended. Use spa and tub cleaner periodically to prevent residue in the system. This product is available at spa & pool companies. Follow the instructions for cleaning whirlpools. Shower floors can be cleaned with any nonabrasive cleaners, just spray & leave on for 5 minutes then scrub with a soft-bristled brush to remove soap residue. Always rinse thoroughly. Polish your vanity top &/ or shower walls at regular intervals with a nonabrasive liquid auto wax or Gel Gloss. This will maintain the lustrious finish & make your Cultured Marble product even easier to clean.