Countertop Maintenance Tips
Stonewood Granite and Quartz
Guides for Getting the Most From Your New Countertops
Stonewood Granite and Quartz has collected the following tips from the Natural Stone Institute to help you get the most extended life and preserved beauty from your stone countertops. We have also assembled the warranty information of several manufacturers below. Please use these as needed, and for answers to any additional questions, call Stonewood Granite and Quartz today.
General Maintenance Tips
Follow these steps for routine maintenance and accidental spills:
- Coasters: Use coasters under all glasses, particularly those containing alcohol or citrus juices.
- Trivets: While many stones can withstand heat, we recommend trivets or mats.
- Spills: Blot any spill with a paper towel immediately. Don't wipe the area; it will spread the spill. Flush the area with water and mild soap and rinse several times. Dry the area thoroughly with a soft cloth. Repeat as necessary.
Cleaning:
- Clean stone surfaces with a neutral cleaner, stone soap, or mild liquid dishwashing detergent and warm water.
- Like 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 rag mop on floors and a soft cloth for other surfaces for best results.
- Rinse the surface thoroughly after washing with soap and dry with a soft cloth.
- Change the rinse water frequently.
- In the bath or other wet areas, you can minimize soap scum 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.
- In outdoor pools, patios, or hot tub areas, flush with clear water and use a mild bleach solution to remove algae or moss.
Cleaning Products:
- Many suppliers offer products used for stone cleaning.
- Products containing lemon, vinegar, or other acids may dull or etch calcareous stones.
- Scouring powders or creams often contain abrasives that may scratch specific stones.
- 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 damaged if exposed to HF.
- Do not mix ammonia and bleach. This combination creates a toxic and lethal gas.
Precautions When Sealing Stone Countertops:
Sealing is a common step taken on some stones as an extra precaution against staining. The sealing products we use are "impregnators," which do not seal the stone topically but act as a repellent rather than a sealer. Sealing does not make the stone stain-proof; it makes it more stain-resistant.
Stain Identification and Removal
You can often remove surface stains using an appropriate cleaning product or household chemical. However, you must know what kind of stain you're dealing with before treating it. Failure to do so risks damaging the stone, worsening the stain, or making it permanent. The following sections describe the various stains you may encounter, the appropriate household chemicals, and how to prepare and apply a poultice to remove the mess.
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