Stone countertops are beautiful, durable, add value to your home and are available in a wide variety of fabrications including concrete, limestone, marble, granite, and quartz. Regardless of your selection, understanding how to clean and care for your stone countertops along with professional countertop cleaning, sealing and polishing will help preserve the beauty of the natural stone for years to come. Silver State Floor Restoration offer helpful tips to call for your natural stone countertops.
Granite & Other Stone Countertop Care & Maintenance Tips
No matter what type of stone you have in your home, you should always make sure that you protect your countertops from any type of heat, including hot pans. The shock of the hot pan on the cool stone can crack your countertop causing irreversible damage. Instead use a trivet that allows air to flow under the hot pot. Siting on your stone countertops should be avoided at all costs as this can cause tiny cracks in the stone. You should also pay close attention to any spills and clean them up using a soft towel. Never chop food directly on your countertop, doing so can cause scratches and etches in the stone. Many stone countertops are coated with a sealant to help preserve the stone. It is important to understand that your sealant is not permanent and will need to be resealed periodically.
How to Clean Granite, Limestone, Marble & Quartz Countertops
Granite: Granite comes in a variety of colors and is one of the most popular types of stone countertops. Each slab is unique and has natural anti-bacterial qualities. Sealed granite is easy to care for and with regular sealant services can last for many years. For daily cleaning, mix a teaspoon of dishwashing detergent with four cups of water and store in a spray bottle. Spray the area lightly, wipe with a soft microfiber cloth and allow to air dry. Never use harsh chemicals, lemon juice or vinegar which can dull and discolor the finish of the granite.
Limestone: Limestone is a popular choice for countertops as it is similar in appearance to marble but much less expensive. Limestone is typically white in color with varying degrees of pattern within the stone. Limestone is porous and can become discolored but with the proper care it can last for many years. Never use harsh chemicals to clean your countertops, instead use dish detergent mixed with water and wipe down with a soft cloth. Avoid the use of scrubbers which can permanently damage the finish.
Marble: Marble is prized for its beauty and elegance but due to its porous nature it can stain easily. The best way to preserve the beauty of your stone is to prevent stains from happening. Clean up drink and food spills immediately by wiping your countertops down with dish detergent mixed with warm water and a soft cloth. Never use vinegar or cleaners with ammonia which can permanently damage the surface.
Quartz: Quartz is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in many different types of stone. Quartz countertops are made by combining quartz stone with resin and colored pigment before being formed into a slab. The ratio is typically 93 percent quartz mixed with 7 percent resin. Once of the many benefits of quartz countertops is that they do not absorb stains, are resistant to scratches and never need to be sealed. For best results, clean daily with a glass cleaner and a soft cloth.
Professional Natural Stone & Grout Cleaning in Aliante, Anthem, Desert Shores, Eldorado, Enterprise, Green Valley Ranch, Henderson, Inspirada, Mountain’s Edge, North LV, Peccole Ranch, Paradise, Providence, Rhodes Ranch, Seven Hills, Silverado Ranch, Spring Valley, Summerlin, Sunrise Manor, The Lakes, Tuscany Village & Las Vegas Nevada
To learn more about professional countertop cleaning, sealing and polishing contact the knowledgeable experts at Silver State Floor Restoration today.