How to care for stone surfaces
Keeping stone countertops and other horizontal surfaces (hearths, mantels, shelves, floors and stair treads) in fantastic shape takes only a little know-how and a few simple steps. Learn the best methods for cleaning and maintaining your countertops to preserve their beauty for years to come.Daily Care for Stone Countertops
Natural stone cleansers are the best for every day cleaning.If a stone cleanser is not used, a mild, pH neutral dish detergent, such as Ivory Dish Liquid, and water is recommended for daily cleaning. As with all countertop surfaces, stone should be wiped down with a clean, smooth cloth after contact with food or other substances to prevent staining and bacteria growth. Paper towels and other disposable cloths are considered ideal since they will not harbor and spread bacteria from previous uses. A mixture of 50% water and bleach may be used occasionally as a disinfectant; repeated use may cause etching.
Wiping spills immediately, especially those substances that are acidic (citrus juices, vinegar, wine) or oil-based (cooking oils, cooking grease, butter, margarine) is a must to keep your countertops in the best possible condition. If left to sit on stone, these substances could have the affect of either staining your countertop or compromising the finish. Do not use caustic or harsh chemicals on your countertops, including tile cleaners, window cleaners, degreasers, anything abrasive, or anything containing ammonia. Plumber's putty is also particularly damaging to stone countertops and should not be allowed to come in contact with the surface. Be sure to let your plumber know about this potential hazard. Cosmetics such as shaving cream, lotion, makeup and perfumes can also damage the surface and stain countertops.
Standing on stone countertops is strongly discouraged, especially on or near overhangs, to preserve the structural integrity of your countertop and prevent cracking.
When to apply a penetrating sealer: We seal many natural stone countertops with a penetrating stone sealer, also called an 'impregnator' before and again immediately after installation. This substance is absorbed into the surface of the stone and assists in preventing other substances from doing the same and thus causing stains on your countertop. Stone countertops should be periodically re-sealed with a penetrating stone sealer, according to the specific manufacturer's directions. The frequency of use, the staining tendency of the particular stone, and the time lapsed between sealing will determine when your countertop should be resealed.
Special Care Instructions for Granite
Scratching
Different granites will have different levels of resistance toward staining and scratching; ask your designer or sales associate about the characteristics of your particular material. While cutting directly on granite surfaces will not affect the large majority of granites, cutting boards are recommended to avoid quickly dulling knives. Repeated use of a knife in the same place on a granite countertop can eventually wear down the polish.Staining
Lighter colored granites will be more prone to staining than darker ones. Wiping spills immediately will help avoid most potential staining. To help repel stains, granite is sealed with a penetrating sealer (stone impregnator) before installation. We recommend periodically re-sealing granite according to the sealer's instructions. Products such as coffee, red wine, cooking oils, butter, lemon juice, tomatoes, and anything else acidic should be wiped off the countertop as soon as possible. Take care to use the proper cleaning agents; those that are ammonia based can etch the granite and dull its polish.Burning
Hot pots may be set directly on granite with no potential for the stone to show burn marks, though that isn't necessarily true for the seams. If you do set hot pots directly on your stone surface, take caution after removing it as the stone will absorb heat from the pot and may be hot to the touch. One caution: Slabs of some polished stones, including some granites, have been 'resined' with epoxy before leaving the factory to improve their appearance by filling natural fissures and pits. Hot pots will damage the epoxy irreparably. The resin may not be obvious to you, so ask us if your slab has been resined and DO NOT place hot pots directly on resined countertops.Special Care Instructions for Marble
Scratching
Marble is a delicate material that has care guidelines similar to that of a fine piece of wood. It is only recommended for use in kitchens that aren't likely to see a whole lot of cooking! Cutting directly on marble will produce scratches. Trivets and placemats should be used under all ceramic, china, and other vessels to reduce the possibility of scratching.Staining
Coasters and placemats should be used to prevent staining for all drinking glasses or dishes, including water glasses, as marble is susceptible to all types of stains including water rings. Avoid leaving any spilled substances on marble for any period of time to reduce staining (including juices, alcoholic beverages, oils, greases, cosmetics, and standing water). Marble is sealed with a penetrating sealer to help prevent the absorption of stains into the stone. It is recommended that marble be resealed periodically with a penetrating stone sealer on all horizontal surfaces. Sealing is not necessary for vertical surfaces such as fireplace surrounds.Etching
Marble is a calcareous stones and is acid sensitive. Calcareous stones are readily dissolved in acid; therefore acidic products, such as lemon or tomato juice should not be used on marbles. These will cause the stone to etch - the surface finish will dull and change texture. Wiping spills immediately and taking caution to use only cleansers specified for stone will help avoid etching your marble.Burning
Marble does have the potential to burn, so hot pots and pans should not be set directly on marble countertops. Use trivets, potholders and placemats to protect marble surfaces.Special Care Instructions for Limestone
Scratching
Limestone is a relatively soft stone that will be susceptible to scratching. Limestone should be protected from scratching by using cutting boards for knives. Trivets and placemats should be used under all ceramic, china, and other vessels to prevent the possibility of scratching.Staining
Limestone is more porous than many natural stone countertop materials and is extremely susceptible to staining. We treat all limestone countertops with a penetrating stone sealer before installation, a process that helps protect the stone from staining. Coasters and placemats should be used to prevent staining for all drinking glasses or dishes, including water glasses. Avoid leaving any spilled substances on limestone for even a short period of time to reduce the chance of staining (including juices, alcoholic beverages, oils, greases, cosmetics, and standing water). It is recommended that limestone be periodically resealed with a penetrating stone sealer to help reduce staining.Etching
Limestones, like marble and other calcareous stones, are referred to as acid sensitive. Calcareous stones are readily dissolved in acid; therefore acidic products, such as lemon or tomato juice should not be used on limestones and marbles. These will cause limestone to etch - the surface finish will dull and change texture. While practically unnoticeable on honed, light-colored surfaces, this is especially a problem with darker-colored limestones where the etching lightens the surface significantly. Wiping spills immediately and taking caution to use only cleansers specified for limestone will help avoid etching your countertop. Storing perfume & similar containers on a piece of glass works well to protect a vanity surface.Burning
Limestone does have the potential to burn, so hot pots and pans should not be set directly on countertops. Use trivets, potholders and placemats to protect limestone surfaces.Special Care Instructions for Travertine
Scratching
Travertine is a type of limestone, making it a relatively soft stone that will be susceptible to scratching. Travertine should be protected from scratching by using cutting boards for knives, and using trivets and placemats under all ceramic, china, and other vessels to reduce the possibility of scratching.Staining
Travertine is more porous than many natural stone countertop materials and is extremely susceptible to staining. We treat all travertine countertops with a penetrating stone sealer before installation, a process that helps protect the stone from staining. Coasters and placemats should be used to prevent staining for all drinking glasses or dishes, including water glasses. Avoid leaving any spilled substances on travertine for any period of time to prevent stains (including juices, alcoholic beverages, oils, greases, cosmetics, and standing water). It is recommended that travertine be resealed periodically with a penetrating stone sealer to help reduce staining.Etching
Travertine, like marble and other calcareous stones, are referred to as acid sensitive. Calcareous stones are readily dissolved in acid; therefore acidic products, such as lemon or tomato juice should not be used on limestones and marbles. These will cause travertine to etch - the surface finish will dull and change texture. Wiping spills immediately and taking caution to use only cleansers specified for travertine will help avoid etching your countertop.Burning
Travertine does have the potential to burn, so hot pots and pans should not be set directly on marble countertops. Use trivets, potholders and placemats to protect travertine surfaces.Special Care Instructions for Soapstone
Scratching
Soapstone is a relatively soft stone that will be susceptible to scratching. Using cutting boards with knives, and avoiding abrasive cleansers and scraping heavy pots and pans along the surface will help reduce scratching. Soapstone has the unique characteristic that scratches that do occur may be buffed out with a fine grit (400 to 300) sandpaper, and then touched up with some mineral oil. Deeper scratches may require use of heavier grit sandpaper. If so, start with the heavier paper, and gradually work up to the finest grit to create a finish consistent with the rest of the countertop.Staining
Soapstone is one of the only natural materials that can be considered nearly impenetrable, and will not absorb stains in the same way as other natural stone surfaces. Soapstone will discolor when a liquid makes contact with its surface; however, liquids will evaporate off the surface, leaving no stain behind.Soapstone's natural color is a grayish blue tone. However, it can be treated with mineral oil to create the darker, richer color that many owners prefer and to help ward against showing scratches. If you choose not to oil your countertop, its color will darken over time, taking on a natural patina, especially in areas of high use. If and when to oil soapstone countertops is up to the owner. For those who don't think "when the spirit moves you" provides sufficient guidance, we suggest the following schedule :
- Week 1: Two applications
- Weeks 2 through 4: One application per week
- Weeks 5 through 9: One application per two weeks
- Apply monthly up to 18 months; as time goes on, you will need to oil the countertops less and less frequently, noticing that the deep color will last longer between applications. Oiling the countertop at least twice per year is suggested after the initial 18 month period of care.