The absolute best time to get to know and understand the maintenance guidelines is prior to the purchasing of your new countertops. To help make that easier we have attached maintenance information from most of the manufacturers of quartz and solid surface below, along with some general information on natural materials.
Most countertops require very little work to keep them clean. Regular cleaning with mild detergent or a stone soap suitable for countertops and warm water is all they need. Products such as soapstone and marble will require extra treatments.
Do’s and Don’ts
- Do use trivets or mats under hot dishes or cookware.
- Do clean your countertop regularly with mild detergent or a stone soap suitable for countertops and warm water.
- Do thoroughly rinse and dry the surface with clean,
clear water after washing. - Do blot up any spills quickly – leaving difficult to remove products on a countertop will cause damage to it and almost certainly void the warranty.
- Do use coasters under glasses, especially if they contain alcohol or citrus juices.
- Do read the manufacturers maintenance guidelines to make sure you don’t void the warranty.
- Don’t leave water on the surface – wipe it up. Particularly in hard water areas deposits may form on the surface.
- Don’t use vinegar, lemon juice, or other cleaners containing acids on marble, limestone, travertine, or onyx surfaces.
- Don’t use cleaners that contain acid such as bathroom cleaners, grout cleaners, or tub & tile cleaners.
- Don’t use abrasive cleaners such as dry cleansers or
soft cleansers. - Don’t use concentrated chemicals on the surface – even products like bleach and ammonia can damage surfaces.
- Don’t mix bleach and ammonia; this combination creates a toxic and lethal gas.
- Don’t ever mix chemicals together unless directions
specifically instruct you to do so. - Don’t put hot objects on the surface – use a trivet – and be particularly careful with slow cookers and toaster ovens, especially on quartz and solid surface materials. Heat can cause damage very quickly and will not be covered by the warranty.
- Don’t cut directly on the surface. Knife blades can leave marks and oils can penetrate the surface.
- Don’t stand, walk, or sit on the countertop. I’m sure you know what could happen! Protect your countertops by never permitting anyone to stand, walk, or sit on them.
The weakest area and most susceptible to cracks is the area in front of sink and cook top cut outs.
Give us a call or email for problems that appear too difficult to treat.