Care & Maintenance
Natural Stone - Care & Maintenance
Use dish-soap and water on a cloth or the soft side of a sponge for daily cleaning.
If you are using a cleaning product, be sure that is meant for natural stone
Use drink coasters under glasses, especially if they contain alcohol or citrus juices.
Use trivets or mats under hot dishes or cookware. Some surfaces can crack if exposed to extreme temperatures.
Dust countertops, islands, vanities and floors frequently. Dust can build up and damage the finish of your stone.
Spills - Blot the spill with a paper towel immediately. Don’t wipe the area, it will spread the spill. Flush the area with water and mild soap and rinse several times. Dry the area thoroughly with a soft cloth. Repeat and be sure to rinse off soap so that it doesn’t become a thin layer of film/residue.
We recommend having your natural stone countertops cleaned & re-sealed every 6 months to 1 year. If you are applying the sealer yourself, be sure to use a product that will seal your countertops, not just clean/polish. A lot of products are advertised to protect your natural stone countertops but only a sealer will truly work (i.e. Sealer 511 for natural stone).
Soapstone: Soapstone maintenance is completely different than any other natural stone. Soapstone can be oiled using mineral oil or waxed using a special dry wax product. Application of these items is done at the customer’s liking. When soapstone is oiled/waxed it is at maximum color vibrancy. If it becomes scratched, which it easily does, simply use fine sand paper to rub out the scratch and re-apply oil/wax to even the countertops color. Over time, the stone will become saturated with the oil/wax and it will start to hold the vibrant coloration for longer periods of time.
DON’T
Don’t use Windex, Clorox or any other product not meant for stone.
Don’t use vinegar, bleach, ammonia or tub and tile cleaners. They can etch and damage your stone.
Don’t use abrasive cleaners such as powders. These can dull the polish of your countertops.
Don’t use alkaline cleaners not specifically formulated for stone.
Don’t mix ammonia and bleach. This combination creates a toxic and lethal gas
Don’t put excess weight on un-supported overhangs as natural stone may crack/break in un-supported areas due to immense pressure.
Although natural stone Is strong, we do not recommend using your stone countertops as a cutting-board as scratches and/or other possible damage may occur. Using an actual cutting-board will ensure that your new countertops remain in excellent condition.