Care and Maintenance: how to Care for Your Stone Countertops
Having stone in your home adds an element of luxury to your space. Stone can make a room feel expensive and glamorous, which is a pro for many people looking to update their home! To keep your stone looking just as stunning as the day you got it, it’s important to be educated on the maintenance your chosen stone requires!
Granite
Granite is a stunning stone option for any room in your home. However, to keep it looking its best, it needs proper maintenance. General day-to-day care for granite includes wiping up spills immediately. Different types of stains can cause granite to discolour, leaving unsightly marks on your beautiful countertops. If a stain does occur, a stone cleaner should lift the stain. If a tough stain occurs, a poultice may be required. A poultice can be DIYed at home using baking soda and water or a mix from the hardware store. However, we recommend you call your countertop installer before applying anything to your countertop to ensure it’s safe and done correctly!
To maintain the look of your granite, daily cleaning with a cloth and lukewarm water is also recommended. You should never use acidic cleaners on your granite. However, warm water and a soft cloth or towel will keep the counter clean without ruining the stone.
Aside from day-to-day care, regular maintenance involves occasionally resealing your countertops. Sealing the counter helps prevent stains, discolouration, and scratching. Your granite countertops will be sealed before they are installed in your home, however, it is recommended that they are resealed every five to eight years. This depends on the stone and the sealer that the granite fabrication company used.
Marble
Marble countertops are one of the most difficult stones to maintain. Marble is one of the more porous stones meaning it will easily stain. With these countertops, in particular, it is very important to wipe up stains immediately. This especially applies to stains from things like wine, juice, and oil. Acidic products like vinegar or tomatoes are also harmful to marble as they will cause etching. If stains do occur, you can use a stone stain remover from the hardware store. For day-to-day care, marble should be wiped down with a cloth and some warm water with dish soap. This should be immediately followed by just warm water and then a soft dry cloth.
Marble countertops installed by CNG Stone will always be sealed before installation. However, you will need to regularly reseal in order to maintain the stone’s beauty and luxurious feel. Marble should be sealed more often than other stones due to its porous nature. Many manufactures will recommend resealing every six months to a year, however, if you properly care for your marble on a day-to-day basis, annually resealing should suffice!
Quartz
Quartz is one of the most durable stone countertops you can get for your home. Quartz countertops give you a luxurious look without the maintenance that comes with granite or marble. On a day-to-day basis, quartz will hold up well to staining and scratching. However, you shouldn’t leave acidic items on the stone for extended hours as it can affect the look of your counters by risking surface stains. To keep your quartz looking its best, you should wipe it down with soap and warm water daily.
The best thing about quartz maintenance is that this stone does not require sealing! Quartz is non-porous, meaning it is unlikely to stain. No surface is perfect though, and if you spill red wine and leave for a week, it can be tough to remove from the stone.
Caring for your stone countertops doesn’t have to be difficult! The key to keeping your counters looking beautiful, no matter what stone it is, is daily care. If you are consistently cleaning up spills and wiping down your counters, your stone will maintain its durability and beauty. However, knowing how to remove stains and when to re-seal will ensure you will love the look of your stone countertops for years to come. If you have any questions about care and maintenance relating to your CNG countertop send us a message or give us a call. We are always happy to lend a hand!
