Maintenance Tips for Granite, Marble, Quartzite, and Quartz
Natural stone and engineered quartz are ideal choices for countertops because of their beauty and durability. If you visit our showroom, you’ll see a wide selection of gorgeous granite, marble, quartz, and quartzite. Although stone is easy to maintain, it does take a little work to keep it looking its best. Here are some care and maintenance tips to help you keep your countertops looking as stunning as the day they were installed.
Natural Stone Care & Maintenance – Granite, Marble, and Quartzite
Granite is a hard, durable stone that’s formed from a mix of feldspar, quartz, sand, and mica. Although it’s a sturdy material that’s scratch and heat-resistance, granite is porous and can absorb liquids. However, this shouldn’t be a problem as long as you seal it regularly.
Marble is a timeless choice that adds a luxurious touch to any room, but it does require extra care. Made up of calcium carbonate, it’s a softer, more porous stone than granite. This makes it more susceptible to etching, scratching, pitting, staining, cracking, and becoming dull over time.
Quartzite is hard, durable, and beautiful—all qualities that have made it a go-to choice for many homeowners. Unlike marble, it’s very resistant to acids and won’t easily get etched from exposure to lemon juice or vinegar.
Daily Cleaning
To clean your countertops, use a soft cloth and a natural stone cleaner or gentle dish soap and water. These can be put in a spray bottle for easy application. Once you’ve wiped the countertops down, rinse the towel and remove any leftover suds. Afterward, dry the countertop using another soft towel. Never use vinegar, bleach, or other harsh cleaners, as these will weaken the sealant and make the stone look dull. You should also avoid using abrasive pads, which can cause scratching.
Granite and quartzite may become stained if spills are left on the surface too long, and marble is prone to etching; for this reason, it’s important to wipe up any splashes from foods or beverages immediately—especially if they’re acidic. This includes things like citrus, tomatoes, coffee, wine, soda, vinegar, and fruit juice. You may want to consider purchasing a silicone sheet or a large cutting board to help reduce splashes. It’s also best to avoid leaving wet dishes or water on your countertops for an extended period.
Keep in mind that although some natural stone has a very high heat tolerance, sudden temperature changes can damage the sealant and expose the stone below, making it more vulnerable to staining. For this reason, we recommend using trivets and hot pads for hot pots, pans, and appliances that radiate a large amount of heat.
Dust your countertops once a week using a soft microfiber cloth, making sure to get into all the nooks and crannies.
Maintenance
Granite and quartzite require periodic sealing. Darker colors can be sealed with the water-based sealer every 2-3 years; lighter colors of granite, marble, or quartzite are more porous, so they should be sealed with oil-based penetrating Sealer (Dry Treat stain-proofing sealer)—generally every two years.
You can test the sealant by dripping a little water on an area of your countertops that gets the most use. If the water doesn’t bead up, it’s time to reseal them.
Engineered Quartz Care & Maintenance
Not to be mistaken for quartzite, quartz is an extremely durable engineered stone made up of 93% quartz crystal and 7% resins and pigments. Quartz offers many benefits for homeowners; it’s naturally non-porous, and bacteria, mold, and mildew-resistant. It’s also very easy to clean and maintain. UV light does cause fading, so it’s best used in areas where it won’t be exposed to harsh direct sunlight for long periods (it is not recommended for outdoor use).
Daily Care
Use a soft damp cloth and a mild detergent, then rinse and dry your countertops thoroughly. Don’t use abrasive cleaners with bleach or harsh scouring pads. Although quartz doesn’t require polishing to keep the surface shiny, care should be taken to clean them gently and regularly. If deeper cleaning is needed, you can use soft scrub with oxi to remove hard water stains or calcium build-up.
Use a cutting board when preparing food, as sharp utensils can cause scratches on the surface. If you need to clean off stubborn grease, gently scrape away any hardened grease with a plastic knife and use a cleaning product designed for stone care. Avoid using products that are heavily acidic, heavily alkaline, or contain bleach. Wipe up spills immediately. Quartz isn’t heatproof, so always use a trivet or hot pad and don’t place appliances that generate heat (like a crock pot) directly on the surface.
Maintenance
Unlike natural stone, quartz doesn’t require sealing. It’s essentially maintenance-free!
Contact Artistic Stone for All Your Stone Countertop Needs
Whether you already have stone countertops at home or are shopping around, you can rely on Artistic Stone for all your stone countertop needs. With our one-stop shopping, we make it easy to have the kitchen or bathroom you’ve been dreaming of. From selecting materials to installation, we handle the entire process. If you have questions about countertop care and maintenance or would like to see our stunning selection, contact us today!