Simply Solid Surface

Do's & Don'ts

The easiest way to keep your stone looking great is to avoid bad habitsthat may damage it. Granite, marble, travertine, limestone, soapstone, quartz and solid surface are similar in many ways, but their differences require varying degrees of maintenance. However . . .

If you utilizethe granite care and cleaning procedures that follow for all your countertops . . . no matter what type of stone or surface . . . you'll eliminate most potential problems without ever having to think too hard about it or worry that you may be causing damage.

Acidic substances like wine, coffee, fruit juices, tomato sauce and sodas will not etch granite like they do marble, but they could potentially stain the surface. Cooking oils may also leave a stain.

Do: Clean surfaces using a sponge or soft cloth.
Using a specially formulated stone cleaner is recommended to keep your tops in the best condition and protect the sealer, but hot water will do for quick clean-ups. Dish soap won't hurt your granite, but  excessive use of any soap may cause build-up and dull your countertop's shine.

Do:Use coasters under all glasses, bottles and cans.
Again, granite won't etch and using coasters on dense and/or properly sealed granite is not an absolute necessity like with marble, but using coasters is just a good practice to protect all surfaces.

Do:Use trivets and hot pads under pots, pans and dinnerware.
Yes, you can take a hot pot off the stove and put it right on granite, quartz or soapstone without any problems. Not true for all other surfaces. But you must consider other issues as well.

Gritthat gets trapped between the pot and the countertop surface may scratch the surface--even granite. Granite is very hard and can take tons of abuse without any damage, but it does contain some softer minerals that could be chipped or scratched. The likelihood is pretty slim, but it is possible. And ALL other surfaces are softer that granite. Better safe than sorry.

If it does happen, don't fret too much. Some chips and scratchescan be  repaired, but it's best to avoid them by following the granite counter top care tips.

Also, once you remove the hot pan from the countertop the surface will be very hot and may burn.

Do: Use cutting boards.
Again, avoid the possibility of scratching the surface and protect  your knives. Cutting on stone will dull and damage your knives' edges quickly and may ruin your countertops.

Don't: Use generic cleaning products such as bleach, glass cleaners or degreasers.
These products that you buy at your local store contain acids, alkalis and other chemicals that can etch marble and degrade the granite sealer leaving the stone more vulnerable to staining.

Trying to save money by using these chemicals only ensures that you'll spend a lot more time and money on you granite counter top care in the long-run.

Don't: Use bathroom, tub & tile or grout cleaners.
The powders and even the "soft" creams contain abrasives that will scratch and dull surfaces and reduce the effectivness of your sealant.

Don't:Sit or stand on your countertops.
Unlike laminate countertops, granite, marble and quartz countertops are very hard, but not flexible, so too much weight in one spot could cause a crack. Never stand on a Seam.

Don't: Place toiletry products directly on your countertop surface.
Hair products, perfumes, colognes, nail products, creams, lotions and potions may stain granite or etch the polish, leaving a ring. Protect your countertop by placing these products on a decorative tray.

Bad Advice You May Have Heard

Unfortunately, if you search around the web you'll find lots of conflicting and plain wrong information about the characteristics of countertop surfaces and the correct procedures for granite counter top care.

I've seen Windex recommended for cleaning granite. True, it will clean it and your countertop will look nice and shiny. But as noted above, when used consistently over time, Windex and all other generic cleaners may damage the surface or granite sealer. You won't see it right away.

And don't forget

when cleaning your mirrors in the bathrooms to spray the glass cleaner away from the countertop and onto the paper towel or cloth FIRST then wipe the mirror. Don't spray it onto the mirror because guess were the overspray goes?

Cleaning Schedule

Daily:Truthfully, hot water and a sponge is sufficient to wipe up spills and debris and keep your countertops clean and tidy throughout the day. At the end of the day, a quick spray and wipe of the most heavily used areas with a stone cleaner will adequately clean, disinfect and protect your countertops.

Weekly: Use the stone cleaner over the entire surface.

Quarterly:Polishes, revitalizers and color-ehancers can also be used periodically for the ultimate in natural stone and granite counter top care.

Yearly: Testingyour granite a minimum of once a  year is a good idea to determine when it needs to be re-sealed. You'll hear that you should do it every year or in 3-5 years, but the frequency for proper sealing really depends on the type of stone (porous or dense) and the quality of the sealant.

It's a very easy job and unless you have a stone that really shouldn't be sealed (i.e. some black granites), then re-sealing when needed will ensure that your countertops are well protected against staining.

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