Clean stone surfaces with a few drops of neutral cleaner, stone soap or a mild liquid dishwashing detergent and warm water. Do not use products containing lemon, vinegar or other acids as these may etch or dull the surface of some stones - particularly marble, limestone, travertine and onyx. Ordinary spills pose no special problem for granite countertops. But promptly wipe up any spills that contain alcohol or citrus juices. In food preparation areas, a penetrating sealer may need to be applied. Check with your installer for recommendations.
- To maintain the beauty of your stone products, follow the guidelines below:
- Protect surfaces from scratching, staining and etching by keeping them free of debris or sharp objects.
- Wipe up spills immediately
- Avoid contact with chemicals, particularly acid-based materials
Clean with pH neutral products or those especially formulated for use on stone. It is not recommended that you use water-based solvent for dark granite because it will remove the polish from the surface. Remove stains with special absorbent poultices formulated for use on stone.
After a period of use, apply a penetrating sealer to prevent contaminants from being absorbed into the stone.
Renew the surface on polished granite (granite with a high gloss surface) by buffing with special stone polish powders or creams. Do not use granite polish on granite with a matte finish, which has been honed rather than polished. (Penetrating sealer may be used on both polished and honed granite.)
No. Vinegar is an acidic cleaner. Typically most household cleaners are either acidic or caustic. Though vinegar may not affect granite, it will definitely etch marble. Ideally all natural stone should be cleaned with cleaners specifically manufactured for natural stone.
Many people in the stone industry recommend an annual re-sealing of your stone. However, many types of granite are harder than others and may never need to be re¬sealed. If you notice water absorption into the countertop or darker areas around the sink, that is an indicator that it is time to re-seal.