FOOD SPILLS - Scoop up the food and blot with dry, white cloth. Spray area with cleaner approved for natural stone or granite. Wipe dry with a clean cloth.
LIQUID SPILLS – Blot away the excess with a clean, dry, white cloth; turning the cloth frequently. Spray area with appropriate cleaner. Wipe dry with a clean cloth.
OILY STAINS – If you identify the stain as having an oil base (from foods like salad and cooking oils, butter or some cosmetics) you may be able to remove the stain using a poultice. Poultice is designed to slowly remove oily stains from natural stone surfaces. Follow the directions on the label.
MUD – Let the mud stain dry completely. Remove dried mud with a soft plastic or nylon brush. Spray affected area with appropriate cleaner. Wipe dry with a clean cloth. If the stain remains, contact a professional cleaner.
ETCH MARKS – Substances that are highly acidic, such as orange juice, coffee, vinegar, wine, tomato products, mustard and many soft drinks, will “etch” some stones – even if they are sealed. Although sealing allows you time to wipe up a spill, it cannot stop the chemical reaction that may leave a dull area or etch mark in the stone. In addition, cleaners not specifically designed for natural stone are not recommended. These may etch away the polish, discolor the surface, scratch the stone or degrade the sealer. Professional refinishing is the best way to permanently remove etch marks and restore your natural stone’s finish.
Do’s
- Do dust surfaces frequently
- Do clean surfaces with mild detergent or stone soap
- Do thoroughly rinse and dry the surface after washing
- Do blot up spills immediately
- Always maintain stone with clean rayon mops, sponge mops, towels or rags
- Replace old mops, towels and rags because they lose their cleaning ability as they age
- Always remove loose debris from stone surfaces to prevent scratching
- Use coasters under drink glasses to help prevent glass rings from occurring
Don’ts
- Don’t use vinegar, lemon juice or other cleaners containing acids
- Don’t use cleaners that contain acid such as bathroom cleaners, grout cleaners or tub and tile cleaners
- Don’t use abrasive cleaners such as dry cleansers or soft cleansers
- Do not use powders or creams that may create scratches
- Extremely hot pans should not be kept over granite slabs since it quickly absorbs heat and distributes it out
Stone Lesson:
What is Granite?
Granite is an igneous rock. Mineral gases and liquids penetrate into the stone and create new crystalline formations with various colors. It is formed at extremely high temperatures, making granite a very hard, resistant stone.
What is Marble?
Marble is a metamorphic stone, formed when limestone softened from heat and pressure recrystallize into marble. It is mostly composed of calcite. Commercially, the term “marble” applies to many other stones that are capable of taking a high polish, which includes most of the colored marbles.
What is Limestone?
Limestone is a sedimentary rock, mainly consisting of calcite. Fossil stone is considered a limestone, containing fossils such as sea shells and plants.
Our friendly and professional staff are here to answer any questions you may have about our company or our services. Our store features Silestone by Cosentino and CaesarStone Quartz Surfaces. A job will usually be fabricated and installed within two weeks.
We now offer DuPont Stonetech Professional Warranty (15 – year Residential Stain Protection and a 8 – year Commercial Stain Protection). On the day of your installation we register your unique serial number and all you have to to is use that same unique serial number to complete your registration online. This will give you the added protection you have always wanted but never had. Please call for pricing and availability.
Contact Granitech LLC today at 860-620-1733 for all of your stone care and maintenance needs.