Countertop Cleaning and Protection
Congratulations on your new countertops! Understanding how to properly care for your home’s new addition will help you protect your stone investment for years to come. To keep any countertop surface looking good, you want to make sure you are taking the proper precautions and preventing any potential damage. Beyond buying proper cleaning products, below are some helpful tips you can implement to clean your countertops based on the material you have in your home.
Recommended Daily Cleaning Tips
Here are some common cleaning tips for any countertop surface:
- Clean your countertops using a soft cloth, mild liquid soap and warm water to remove most residues
- For more stubborn stains, use a soft, non-abrasive bristled brush and scrub the area lightly
- Using too much soap or cleaner may cause streaks and leave a film over the surface. To remove this, use a non-acidic soap scum remover then rinse and dry the surface to prevent spotting
- Immediately wipe up any spills to reduce the chance of stains forming
Natural Stone Countertop Cleaning
Natural countertops include granite, marble and quartzite. Each of these stones are mined from the Earth and are natural products. Artistic Marble & Granite recommends customers avoid harsh cleaners or abrasives containing vinegar, lemon juice or citrus that can etch and dull the countertop finish.
Products such as Granite Gold have a great selection of stone-safe options. This cleaner can be purchased in our showroom or look for other products that are safe to use on Natural Stone.
Quartz Countertop Cleaning
Quartz is an engineered, maintenance-free surface. Quartz countertops are non-porous and do not need to be sealed or resealed. For daily cleaning, use a glass cleaner or any non-abrasive household cleaner. Using a soft cloth is recommended.
Granite Gold products deep clean and protect all types of quartz and natural stone. To help you avoid costly repairs and replacements, visit our showroom to purchase.
Ultra-Compact/Porcelain Countertop Cleaning
Ultra-compact and porcelain countertop surfaces are maintenance-free, and resistant to heat and stains. Although stain-resistant, when needed, you can use ammonia-based cleaning products. Be sure to clean up anything that may be acidic right away because you don’t want it to cause discoloration or remove the sealant.
Daily Countertop Protection Tips
While the benefits of countertop materials vary based on material type, we recommend you keep the following protection tips in mind with daily use:
- Do not place hot items from the oven or stove directly on your stone surface. Additionally, heat-generating appliances, such as air fryers, can cause some stones to become discolored or crack. Always protect your top by placing a trivet or hot pad that allows for airflow under the hot item.
- Always use a cutting board. Avoid chopping or slicing directly on your countertops to prevent scratches and dulling of your knives.
- Use placemats and coasters to protect your surface from discoloration and staining.
- Do not stand or sit on stone countertops. Small fissures in stone may cause cracks when excessive weight is applied.
General Maintenance of Granite, Marble and Quartzite
Countertop Sealing Recommendation
It is recommended to re-seal natural stone countertops (granite, marble, and quartzite) every 1 to 2 years to help protect against accidental staining. Artistic Marble & Granite offers countertop products that can be purchased in our showroom.
If you have any additional questions about cleaning your natural stone, quartz or compact surface countertop contact our team of experts or call ahead to schedule an appointment to visit one of our Wichita countertop showroom.