COUNTERTOP CARE and MAINTENANCE

 

GRANITE

 

Routine Care

Neutral cleaners work best on granite. You can purchase stone soaps from most hardware stores, or you can just use warm water and mild dishwashing liquid. Stay away from lemon or vinegar-based cleaners. Positively stay away from scouring powders and “soft” cleansers as these can strip away the granite’s natural shine.

 

Remember to use only clean, soft cloths when wiping your granite countertop. Always rinse after washing to prevent streaking and dry the surface with a soft cloth. Do not leave it wet.

 

Please Note: Although you can place hot pots directly onto your granite without harming it, you should be aware that it does absorb heat quickly. As a matter of caution, please use mats or trivets.

 

Removing Stains

As a rule, make sure you blot up any spills as soon as possible to eliminate opportunities for staining. If a stain does occur, it can usually be easily removed with household items. Depending on the kind of stain, different mixtures may be needed.

 

If the stain is heavy and cannot be removed with warm water and dishwashing liquid, you can create a mixture that almost always works. Combine one to two tablespoons of dishwashing liquid, one cup of flour, and just enough water until the solution becomes thick (about the consistency of paste). Put this solution directly onto the stain. Cover the area with plastic wrap and leave overnight. You can then gently scrape the mixture away, preferably with a wooden utensil. The stain should be gone.

 

Oil or grease stains or milk stains require a different solution. Use hydrogen peroxide in place of dishwashing liquid and combine with flour and water to make a paste.   Put this solution on the stain, cover with plastic wrap and wait about 12 hours. The stain should be gone when the mixture is scraped off. If this does not work, replace the hydrogen peroxide with ammonia.

 

If the stain is organic (coffee, tea, fruit), combine hydrogen peroxide with about two drops of ammonia. This solution should remove the stain immediately.

 

To remove marker stains from dark granite, acetone or lacquer thinner usually work great. For lighter shades, switch to hydrogen peroxide. If these chemicals do not work, then try a stronger formula – combine pure bleach and molding plaster to make a paste and then spread it over the ink stain (this also works for wine stains). Let it sit for about half an hour, then remove the paste and rinse the area.

 

QUARTZ

 

Routine Care

• For routine cleaning, use a damp cloth or paper towel and, if necessary, a small amount of non-bleach, non-abrasive cleanser.
• Even though Quartz resists permanent staining, wipe up food and liquid spills as soon as possible, especially liquids such as wine, vinegar, tea, lemon juice, soda, and fruits.
• For stubborn or dried spills, use a nonabrasive cleaning pad such as a white 3M Scotch-Brite® scrub pad coupled with Formula 409® Glass & Surface Cleaner or a comparable cleaning product.
• Avoid using cleansers that contain bleach. Always follow the cleaner manufacturer's use instructions and exercise proper care when handling and storing any cleaning products.
• Do not place hot skillets or roasting pans directly onto the surface; use trivets or hot pads.

 

Removing Difficult Spills

• Sometimes spills occur and dry on the countertop. For materials that harden as they dry (such as gum, food, grease, nail polish or paint), remove by gently scraping away the excess with a plastic putty knife.
• Permanent markers and inks may adhere to the surface and should be avoided. If these agents come into contact with the surface, clean first as outlined in Routine Care. If the stain persists, moisten a cloth with Goo Gone®, or a comparable product and rub it into the stain. Rinse thoroughly with warm water to remove any cleaner residue.
• When grease from cooking is an issue, use Greased Lightning™ or a comparable degreasing product to help loosen and remove the grease from the surface.
• Avoid exposing quartz surfaces to strong chemicals and solvents, especially paint removers or furniture strippers. Keep nail polish remover, bleach, bluing, permanent markers or inks, and oil soaps away from quartz. Always use non-bleach, non-abrasive liquid household cleaners.

 

SOLID SURFACE

 

Routine Care  

Soapy water, ammonia based cleaners (not window cleaners as they can leave a waxy build up that may dull the surface) or commercially available solid surface cleaners will remove most dirt and residue from all types of finishes. Stubborn residue will require a little stronger cleaner. Experience has shown that a film builds up on the surface if water is left to dry on the countertop. This film will dull the look of the countertop making the finish appear blotchy and uneven. To prevent build up of the film, it is very important to wipe the countertop completely dry after spills and cleaning. Darker colors tend to require more attention than lighter colors.

 

To Disinfect: Occasionally, wipe surface with diluted household bleach (1 part water/1 part bleach). Rinse top thoroughly with water and wipe completely dry.   Always follow the manufacturer's safety instructions when working with bleach.

 

Preventing Heat Damage:   Although your solid surface countertop is heat resistant, as with all countertop materials it is important to minimize direct heat exposure to protect your surface and investment. Do not place hot pots, pans, etc. directly on the countertop surface. Always use heat trivets or hot pads when placing hot objects on any surface. Always use a trivet under portable heat generating appliances such as a toaster oven.

 

Preventing Other Damage: In most cases your countertop can be repaired if damaged. Be sure to follow these guidelines to help you prevent any permanent damage. 

• Avoid getting strong chemicals, such as paint removers, oven cleaners, etc., on your countertop. If a spill does occur, promptly flush the surface with water to fully rinse off the chemical.
• Do not cut directly on your countertops. Use a cutting board.
• Boiling water alone will not damage your solid surface sink; however it is a recommended practice to run cold water from the faucet while pouring boiling water into the sink.

 

LAMINATE

 

Routine Care

Use a damp cloth or sponge and a mild soap or detergent. Difficult stains such as coffee or tea can be removed using a mild household cleaner and baking soda (mixed to achieve a paste consistency). Use a stiff nylon bristle brush and scrub the affected area with approximately 15-20 strokes. Do not scrub hard enough to damage or scratch the surface finish.

 

Stubborn Stains
Stains that resist the above cleaning methods may require the use of undiluted household bleach or nail polish remover. Use a cotton ball saturated with bleach or nail polish remover (acetone) and gently rub the stain for up to two minutes. Rinse thoroughly with warm water and wipe dry using a soft cloth. This step may be repeated if the stain appears to be going away and the color of the laminate has not been affected. 

 

Warning:

Prolonged exposure of the laminate surface to bleach will cause discoloration. Always rinse laminate surfaces after cleaning! A dry residue may be invisible and can be reactivated by the moisture from cups or drinks. This may cause permanent etching or scarring over time.

DO NOT use acidic or abrasive cleaners. Drain cleaners containing lye will permanently damage the laminate surface. If you spill a drain cleaner, wipe it up immediately and rinse several times with water.