Stone Care and Cleaning

There are a lot of myths, rumors, and tales out there about what to do and what not to do when it comes to cleaning your countertops and stone surfaces.

One Simple rule can save grief and eliminate confusion: Keep it dry

Different stones have different densities and are more vulnerable than others. For instance, granite is extremely hard and dense and is much harder to stain than its marble counterpart.

Here are some Do’s and Don’ts for cleaning:

DO’s

• Blot up Spills ASAP

  Many foods and liquids have acidic qualities that can etch softer and porous stones. Blot spills up with a soft sponge or cloth to prevent the spill from spreading. Oils and fats have the ability to seep into the surface, so be sure and clean those quickly too.

• Use Water

  Ideally, you have a cleaner design specifically for stone surfaces available. These specially formulated cleaners keep your stone and your stone’s sealant safe. However, for those situations where when a stone cleaner isn’t available, use hot water.

• Use Protection

  When you can, use trivets and hot pads under your pots and pans. While stone counters can handle the hottest pots and pans, be careful, some quartz has been known to crack when temperatures reach 200+. Although most people consider it stone, quartz is ground and packed with resin, so it has no natural pits or fissures for heat transfer.

DON’TS

• Don’t use Household Cleaners

  Household cleaners contain chemicals intended to break down and dissolve dirt and stains. The problem is, those same chemicals can also potentially stain, etch, or at minimum remove the sealant applied to your natural stone surface.

• Vinegar, Ammonia, Lemons, and Oranges

  Acids are the enemy. Any type of ammonia or citric based food or cleaner could potentially etch the surface. On granite, these acids can remove the sealant. This goes for coffee too.

• Bathroom and Toiletry Products

  Ever seen what toothpaste can do to a car’s paint job? It starts to etch right through the clear coat. Your countertops are no different. Clean up toothpaste, colognes, deodorants quickly, and if possible, store them on a tray or in a cabinet.

• Knives and Cutting

  It’s not likely, but your knives could scratch the surface. Keep in mind that natural acids and enzymes in food could potentially harm your surface as well. If for no other reason, do it for the sake of your knives. A hard stone countertop can easily damage the cutting edge of your favorite kitchen cutlery.

Myths

• Windex

  Glass cleaners will clean and shine your surface, but over time will damage the sealant that protects your stone.

• Dish and Body Soap

  Soap won’t damage your stone, but soap scum will eventually dull the shine and is a challenge to remove.