Natural and Engineered Stone Countertop Care and Maintenance

NATURAL STONE (GRANITE, MARBLE, QUARTZITE & ONYX)

Maintenance & Cleaning:

Clean your countertop with a few drops of mild dishwashing detergent and warm water. Use a clean cloth for best results.

Rinse the surface thoroughly after washing with the soap solution and dry with a soft cloth. Change the rinse water frequently.

Do not use products that contain lemon, vinegar or other acids on the granite. The high acid content may etch the surface & may make it look dull.

To keep your countertop stain free clean any spills such as grease, wine, vinegar or coffee etc immediately.

Each granite has different absorption levels for water and other liquids, thus care must be taken to wipe the counters clean after usage or within 1-2 hours, whichever is earlier.

Sealing

Your countertops are sealed by us during installation. Darker colors require re-sealing less often vs. lighter colors. Sealers typically last for 4-5 years of regular home use. Use spray-on sealers to re-seal your countertop. Sealers can be purchased from us or any home improvement store. When resealing evenly spray sealer on clean dry countertops and allow to set for 4-5 hours.

Stain Removal

If you have an accidental spill on your granite countertop, wipe up with a paper towel as soon as possible. While granite is very stain-resistant, should a stain occur, use a Poultice ( mixture of baking soda, water (or mineral spirits) and white flour that you mix to the consistency of peanut butter). Apply poultice to the stain approximately ¼” thick and cover with plastic wrap. Allow it to cure for 24 to 48 hours. Stubborn stains may take a few applications.

Oil-based Stains: Use a poultice with baking soda and water OR mineral spirits.

Organic Stains: Use a poultice with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide solution OR acetone.

QUARTZ OR ENGINEERED STONE

Engineered stone comprises of 93% natural quartz which helps make your countertop a low maintenance surface that is resistant to scratches and stains. Engineered stone is also heat-resistant making it capable of enduring heat from a hot pan for short durations, however to avoid possible damage, a trivet or hot pad is recommended. With proper care and maintenance engineered stone countertops will remain beautiful and durable for many years.

Regular Cleaning

Normal cleaning of engineered stone requires only a damp cloth and mild household detergent. A list of acceptable cleaning products is given below. For best results, clean spills as soon as possible. Engineered stone is resistant to most stains including wine, lemon juice, tea, fruits and vegetables without permanently staining or damaging the countertop.

Cleaning Stains and Dried Spills

For tougher stains mild non-abrasive cleaners are a good solution to keeping the surface looking like new. For dried spills a non-abrasive scrub pad can be used. Rinse thoroughly and wipe with a damp cloth to remove all residue. While engineered stone is generally able to withstand most household chemicals avoid using harsh chemicals or products that contain bleach. For tougher spots from items such as gum, grease, paint, food etc. scrape off the residue with a razor blade or putty knife prior to cleaning.

Waxes and Sealing

One of the many benefits of engineered stone is that it requires no sealants or waxes to be applied during its lifetime. Because it is non-porous a sealer will not absorb into the material and would be ineffective. With normal cleaning procedures your countertop will always retain its luster. Following are recommended commercial cleaners that are available for the routine care of your engineered stone/quartz surface:

Simple Green Lime-scale remover

Vinegar cleanser (diluted)

Bar Keepers FriendFormula 409 Glass and Surface Cleaner.

Lysol

Greased Lightning

SINK MAINTENANCE

Care & Maintenance: Stainless Steel Sinks

All our stainless steel sinks are made of 304 series, 18/10 chrome/nickel steel. This non- magnetic, non-porous material is very hygienic, extremely durable, and rust free. Our swirl polishes finish masks standard every days wear, creating an enduring shine that is more impervious to water stains and calcium deposits. Regardless of the material your sink is made of, it will require periodic cleaning to maintain the original finish.

Care & Cleaning: Rinse often and thoroughly. Wipe sink dry with a soft, clean cloth. Water spotting and mineral deposits might occur if not dried. Mild stainless steel cleaner can be used to assist in cleaning (follow the instructions on the product).

Do Not: Do not use abrasive cleaners such as scrub pads or steel wool. They will scratch and dull the finish. Do not let household cleaning agents such as bleach or acid sit in your sink for long periods of time as this may ruin the finish in your sink. Always rinse your sink thoroughly after the use of strong cleaning agents.

Surface Stains: Stainless steel does not rust. Flitz, Bar Keeper’s Friend and Gordon’s Miracle Shine work very well at removing surface residue such as: tarnish, oxidation, lime deposits and hard water stains should they occur. Always read the directions on the bottle before application.

Scratches: Scratches are unavoidable with any sink material, including stainless steel. Scratches from standard everyday use will become uniform with the sinks finish.

Care & Maintenance: Granite Composite Sinks

Granite composite sinks combine the beauty of nature with unmatched strength and durability. Made of 80% natural granite, Lexicon sinks offer unsurpassed surface hardness along with scratch, chip, and heat resistance up to 535 Deg. Fahrenheit. The hygienic, non-porous surface is easy to clean, both stain and acid-resistant, and does not absorb odor or bacteria.

Cleaning Guide: Rinse the sink after each use with warm water and nonabrasive scrubber pad or nonabrasive cleaner, such as liquid Soft Scrub sans bleach or powdered Bar Keepers Friend. Even household baking soda will accomplish the same effect without the chemical additives. Always rinse well so gritty residue is not left in the sink.

Never: Never use any abrasive cleaning agents or scrub pads such as steel wool. Never use straight bleach to clean or remove strains. Never use commercial alkalis such as ammonia and/or caustic solutions. Never use drain blocking chemicals that involve filling the sink.