Cleaning & Caring For Your Stone

• For every day cleaning use a soft sponge or dishcloth with warm water. 
• For stubborn or greasy clean-ups use a PH neutral liquid cleaner or ordinary dish washing detergent with warm water applied with a soft sponge or dishcloth.
• For any persistent staining issues, products without bleach can be applied first to a wet sponge or dishcloth, and then applied to the countertop surface. Please note that too aggressive use of more abrasive non-chemical cleaners can result in the dulling of the quartz surface. 
• To sanitize a quartz surface, a 70% isopropyl rubbing alcohol solution can be used.
• Avoid using sponges that contain aluminum oxide (the same abrasive in sand paper) as it may dull the quartz finish. 
• Never allow your quartz countertop to come in contact with drain cleaners, paint strippers, acetone or products containing Hydrofluoric acid, Ammonia, Methylene chloride, Trichloroethylene or any product with a very high or very low PH. These types of chemicals may etch or discolor the surface. 
• There is no need to seal your quartz countertop. Unlike natural stone products which have porous surfaces, quartz is non-porous, meaning that any sealer applied will not penetrate beyond the surface of the material. If applied the sealer may start to wear off unevenly in high use areas causing the polish to appear inconsistent. 
• We recommend that you protect your quartz countertops from extreme heat by using a trivet or hot pad between any heat generating device (including crock pots, air or deep fryers, hot pots and pans or electric skillets). Sudden or rapid change of temperature or sustained heating, especially near edges and cut outs, may create enough thermal expansion energy to cause your countertop to crack. Damage caused by thermal expansion is not covered under the warranty.
• Brushed, honed or concrete finishes by nature of their textured surface may require daily cleaning in order to maintain a pristine appearance. These alternate finishes have an increased surface texture and as a result may show more surface markings as a result of normal day to day activities. Markings caused as a result of normal use of the countertop will be only on the surface and should be easily removable by use of any the approved cleaners or cleaner types mentioned above. Over the lifetime of your brushed, honed or concrete finish surface, constant daily use may result in the development of a patina which will be unique to each installation. 

Because of the variety of natural stones (granite, quartzite, marble, and soapstone), daily maintenance and cleaning techniques may vary from one stone to the next. Here are some general guidelines to follow regardless of the color or type of stone.

For daily cleaning we recommend:

• Clean stone surfaces with a few drops of neutral cleaner or a mild liquid dishwashing detergent and warm water. 
• Avoid products that contain lemon, vinegar, or other acids on marble or limestone.  
• Avoid using scouring powders or creams; these products contain abrasives that may scratch the surface. 
• Use coasters under all glasses, particularly those containing alcohol or citrus juices. 
• Thoroughly rinse and completely dry your countertop. This will help remove any streaks or watermarks. 
• Protect your stone countertops from extreme heat by using a trivet or hot pad between any heat generating device (including crock pots, air or deep fryers, hot pots and pans or electric skillets).

• Purchase a high-quality granite sealer that is specifically designed for use on granite countertops. Penetrating or impregnating sealers are typically recommended.
• Clean the granite countertops thoroughly with water and then dry them completely using a clean, dry cloth.
• Apply the granite sealer to the countertops using a clean, dry cloth or a brush. Make sure to apply the sealer evenly and cover the entire surface of the countertops.
• Let the sealer sit on the countertops for the recommended time specified by the manufacturer.
• After the sealer has had time to absorb into the granite, wipe off any excess sealer using a clean, dry cloth.
• Allow the countertops to dry completely before using them.
• Repeat the sealing process annually or as recommended by the manufacturer.