Countertop Care Maintenance

As a rule with all natural stone, use only gentle cleansers.

Warm water and mild detergents, or gentle cleaners designed for natural stone are recommended for daily cleaning.

Natural stone can be damaged from cleaners that contain strong chemicals and solvents, or those that are too abrasive or acidic. Highly aggressive cleaning agents such as oven cleaners and cleaners with very high pH levels should also be avoided. Such cleaners may cause damage to the finish and remove existing sealers, making the stone more susceptible to stains and bacteria growth in the pores.

Granite/Quartzite

Use Hot pads or Trivets

Granite and quartzite has a very high heat tolerance, but sudden and high changes in temperature may cause damage to the stone and/or finish. We recommend using pads and trivets for hot pots and pans and appliances which radiate large amounts of heat.

Reseal periodically with a water-based or Oil-based sealer

Dark color Granite counters require periodic sealing. We recommend using a water-based penetrating sealer and re-sealing your counters every year, depending on the color.

The lighter the color, the more porous the stone

Lighter-colored granite and Quartzite are usually more porous than darker ones, requiring more coats and needing to be re-sealed more frequently. We recommend using Oil-based Sealer for it and re-seal every six month to a year.

Marble

Marble is softer and typically more porous than granite. Because of this, marble counters are more susceptible to scratches, chips, pitting, and stains. It is more appropriate for low-traffic areas.

Use Hot pads or Trivets

Marble has a very high heat tolerance, but sudden and high changes in temperature may cause damage to the stone and/or finish. We recommend using pads and trivets for hot pots and pans and appliances which radiate large amounts of heat.

Reseal periodically with an oil-based sealer.

Marble countertops require periodic sealing. We recommend using an oil-based penetrating sealer, and resealing your counters every 6 months to one year, depending on the color.

Limestone

Use Hot pads or Trivets

Limestone has a very high heat tolerance, but sudden and high changes in temperature may cause damage to the stone and/or finish. We recommend using pads and trivets for hot pots and pans and appliances which radiate large amounts of heat.

Reseal periodically with an oil-based sealer.

Limestone counters require periodic sealing. We recommend using an oil-based penetrating sealer, and resealing your counters every 6 months to one year, depending on the color.

Quartz

No polishing.

Quartz counters should not be polished. This may dull or damage the existing factory finish, which is very difficult to restore.

No need to reseal.

Since quartz counters are not porous, no sealing is required.

Use Hot pads or Trivets.

Quartz has a high heat tolerance, but sudden and high changes in temperature may cause damage to the Quartz and/or finish. We recommend using pads and trivets for hot pots and pans and appliances which radiate large amounts of heat.