Everyone loves a clean countertop, but especially during cold/flu and now COVID-19 season. The last thing we want is for our countertops to harbor bacteria, and with all the extra time being spent at home, it’s imperative we keep our counters clean. But the natural stones we install in your homes and offices aren’t all the same. We want to help ensure you’re caring for the particular type of stone in your home correctly!
Quartzite- Quartzite is fairly hardy, and most are acid-resistant, allowing you to use stronger cleaners or all-natural cleaners (including a vinegar solution). But strong cleaners will reduce the life of your sealer. While most can handle stronger cleaners, we still suggest a non-acidic, pH-neutral cleaner (such as mild soap and water) or stone-specific cleaners that can even be diluted/concentrated for different soil levels.
Engineered Quartz- Avoid abrasive cleaners and scouring pads as these can dull the surface. Soapy water is great! Harsh cleaning solutions at both ends of the pH spectrum can also damage engineered quartz – whether highly acidic or highly alkaline, those chemicals can disintegrate the bonds between quartz and resin. Quartz will tolerate casual exposure to milder alkaline solutions, such as diluted bleach, but high-pH substances like concentrated bleach will damage the surface.
Marble, Dolomite, Onyx and Limestone- Marble and limestone, because they are calcium carbonate and calcite based stones, will react to relatively mild acids, such as lemon juice and vinegar. Do not use vinegar, lemon juice, or other cleaners containing acid. Products with acidic citrus or vinegar bases or limescale-eroding cleaners will damage your stone. Bleach is another powerful cleaner that can etch and discolor these stones. We recommend a mild soap or stone cleaner and hot water.
Granite- Granite is exceptionally durable and can withstand most basic household cleaners. However, to extend the lifetime of your granite and protect its polished surface, we recommend a stone specific cleaner.
Porcelain- Porcelain isn’t porous like other natural stones but still needs cleaning to remove bacteria sitting on top. A damp cloth and warm water work well. When required, you can use ammonia-based cleaning products. For porcelain, avoid steel wool pads and cleaning products with hydrofluoric acid or its derivatives.
A good rule of thumb for all natural stone – using a soft cloth, clean with a few drops of neutral cleaner, stone soap or mild liquid dish soap and warm water. Rinse the surface thoroughly with water after washing with the soap solution and dry with a soft cloth.
Here’s to clean countertops every day, but especially during this time of each of us doing our best to stop the spread of COVID-19. Let us know if you have questions- we’re here to help! 469-779-9999
