We all know the feeling of that tragic first spill on your new kitchen island. It’s inevitable: someone trips over the dog and knocks over a wine glass, or the kids leave a lemon wedge over after their first homemade lemonade attempt. In a perfect world, the key to preserving any stone countertop is prevention. But we know that even the most careful home-owners will eventually have some type of spill to reckon with.
Never fear. Most stone surfaces are relatively easy to care for, using gentle cleaners you already have in your home. Whether you have granite, marble, engineered quartz, or quartzite surfaces in your home, get acquainted with your stone’s maintenance needs so you’re not caught off guard the next time your glass of sangria gets elbowed.
Granite Granite remains one of the most popular surface materials in our showroom, and for good reason. Your daily clean-up routine only requires three things: a soft cloth, warm water, and dish soap (or any mild disinfectant). You can even use Windex to bring out a little extra shine. A quick wipe-down will take care of 99% of food spills and cooking mishaps that your granite countertop withstands day to day.
In the past, granite countertops had to be re-sealed every couple of years. But today’s sealers have up to a 15 year stain warranty. Ask your countertop fabricator about their sealer options.
Quartzite Quartzite is a 100% natural stone – not to be confused with engineered quartz, which is man-made. Like granite and other natural stones, stains and spills on any quartzite countertop are best cleaned with mild soap and warm water, or Windex.
Quartzite is very similar to granite in its hardness, so any quartzite countertop is likely to remain beautiful and intact for decades. However, because certain quartzites resemble marble, marbles are sometimes mis-labeled as quartzite. It’s a good idea to test a sample of your stone before you purchase it, to ensure it withstands spills the way that a true quartzite should.
Marble Marble is a beautiful choice for any kitchen. Because it is vulnerable to etching – dull spots in the stone that appear when acid reacts with the calcium carbonate in the stone – we always recommend that marble be installed with a honed finish (satin, not high gloss). Clean up any spills as quickly as possible with mild dish soap and a soft cloth, avoiding any cleaner that contains acids or citrus.
Engineered Quartz Engineered Quartz, a man-made surface material composed of quartz crystals and resins, is highly stain resistant. As long as you clean up stains shortly after they occur, your quartz countertop or vanity will look beautiful even after years of use. Wipe off spills with warm water, a soft cloth, and a bit of mild soap if needed.
Engineered quartz does not typically need to be re-sealed, and is considered one of the most low-maintenance options out there for home owners, in kitchens and bathrooms alike.
You made an investment in your home by purchasing high quality stone countertops. So preserve the life of your stone surfaces with these simple cleaning techniques, and all of these materials will offer you years of service in any room of the house.
