How to Clean and Care for Natural Stone Countertops

Keeping a kitchen clean and sanitized is important for obvious health reasons, but regular maintenance and care can prolong the life of household appliances, cabinets, flooring, and countertops. When caring for any household item it is important to research and understand the proper care instructions and actively maintain upkeep. Natural stone countertops are a visually stunning addition to any kitchen or bathroom, but they do require ongoing maintenance and care.


Natural stone countertops are typically porous, natural-occurring stones fabricated into the gorgeous, one-of-a-kind countertops. No two slabs are identical and there is a variety of different natural stone countertops options. The first step in the process of treating and caring for natural stone countertops is to properly identify the type of stone. Granite, marble, soapstone, and quartzite are some of the more common varieties but semi-precious stones, limestone, quartz, and slate are also commonly fabricated for luxurious and unique countertops.

Granite

The most well known and commonly used natural stone for countertops is granite. Granite is praised for its durability. It is one of the most stain resistant natural stone options because it is one of the hardest natural stones in the world, second only to diamond. Granite is becoming more common and more affordable since the demand has skyrocketed in the last two decades. It comes in a large variety of colors and patterns to fit almost any design preference. Well maintained granite countertops can last for decades.

To care for granite countertops they should be sealed with a high-quality granite sealer when the countertops are completely dry. Typically this process needs to be repeated every 3-5 years but it truly depends on the porosity of the granite. Standard liquid detergent and warm water are best for everyday cleanup.

Marble

The beautiful veins traditionally found in marble, provide any space with an artistic and architectural elegance. The timeless appeal of marble makes it a favorite for interior designers and bakers prefer to use cold marble to knead bread. However, marble is more porous than granite and therefore, it is more apt to absorb colors and get knicks and marks with age and use, a trait that can be embraced for its character.

When caring for marble, anything acidic will react to the stone due to its calcium carbonate composition. It is important to avoid acidic cleaners like vinegar and lemon juice since they will cause a dulling effect. Marble needs to be sealed annually to help prevent staining and to help it keep its shine and color. When it comes to standard cleanup a hot washrag and a non-abrasive soap, followed with a soft, dry absorbent towel, will normally do the trick.


Soapstone

Soapstone is actually a non-porous stone and it will not crack, but it can get dents if it is hit by something hard. It does scratch easily but big scratches can be buffed out with sandpaper. Unlike some of the other natural stone countertop varieties, it does not need to be sealed. Soapstone is normally gray but varieties can scale from blue-gray to green-gray.

 

Source: Premiersurfaces.com

To bring forth soapstone’s natural, beautiful color, apply mineral oil about once a month for the first year after installation. Continue the practice of oiling the countertops if watermarks are apparent, sometimes this can last for two years. When caring for soapstone on an everyday basis, use a mild cleaner and warm washrag.

Quartzite

Quartzite has a lot of the visual appeal of marble but it comes with the durability of granite. It has the propensity to resist scratches and dents, similar to granite. Quartzite typically is white or gray and can have specks of brown and black.

Use warm water and mild soaps or stone cleaners to tackle everyday messes on quartzite countertops. Follow up cleaning with a dry rag to ensure countertops do not remain damp. Similar to marble, quartzite should be resealed annually to help avoid discolorations in the countertop.


Where to buy natural stone countertops?

Premier Surfaces is Atlanta’s leader in natural stone countertop design, fabrication, and installation. With four showrooms throughout the Southeast - Atlanta, GA, Birmingham, AL, Huntsville, AL, and Chattanooga, TN. Premier Surfaces prides itself on a history of customer satisfaction and high-quality, luxury countertop design, fabrication, and installation options. They strive to provide the best possible customer experience and they provide a 100% warranty on all their craftsmanship.

Eric Tryon is the President and CEO of Premier Surfaces. He began the company in 2002 and has helped it grow each year since its inception. Even during the recession Premier Surfaces maintained its growth pattern, demonstrating the company’s commitment to excellence and Eric’s propensity toward strong relationships with both his vendors and his customers. In 2012 Eric was named one of the Top 20 Entrepreneurs in Atlanta and he was recognized again for his aptitude for entrepreneurship in 2015 when TiE he named him top Upper Middle Market Entrepreneur. 

Eric Tryon, President and CEO of Premier Surfaces

Under Eric’s leadership Premier Surfaces has been accredited by the Marble Institute of America (MIA) and it’s earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.