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Following these simple guidelines your natural stone countertop will provide years of service while maintaining its natural beauty and luster.

Granite countertops are most vulnerable during the manufacturing and installation stages. Once your countertop is installed there are very few things that can cause damage to the surface.

Below is a list of things to avoid, helping prolong the natural beauty of your granite countertop

• Do not sit, stand or kneel on a granite countertop

• Do not cut directly on the surface. Use cutting boards whenever possible

• Do not drop heavy items onto the surface

• Clean up spills as soon as possible

• Hot plate are recommended when long term exposure to extreme heat is present

• Do not use abrasive cleaners, cleaners formulated for tile and grout or drain cleaners

• Do not allow water to pool around the sink and faucet areas for prolong periods of time

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01. Daily Cleaning

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Granite countertops should be wiped clean after each use. It is recommended to use cleaners specifically formulated for natural stone. The use of glass and window cleaners are acceptable however, these types of cleaners will degrade the sealer eventually leaving your countertops vulnerable to food and beverage penetration. Note: it is recommended to increase your sealant regiment when using generic multi-purpose cleaners on a regular basis.

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02. Water Penetration

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Water testing your countertop from time to time is a good way to tell if your countertop sealer is still working. Water left soaking on a granite countertop should stay on the surface for approximately
15 minutes before showing signs of permeation. If your countertops darken relatively quickly or stays dark around the sinks and faucets area it may be time to reseal your countertop. Helpful hint! Not all stones will absorb water. Some darker colored granite or those that have been resin treated will naturally repel water longer.

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03. Disinfecting Your Countertop

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​Granite countertops are not known to harbor bacteria. Following the recommended guidelines for daily cleaning will effectively remove the source which supports the grown of bacteria. For more thorough cleaning a solution 80% water and bleach can be used to help disinfect your countertops.

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04. Stubborn Residue
 

Presoak the affected area with a dedicated stone cleaner for approximately 5 minutes. Using a plastic putty knife or spatula at a 450 angle, gently remove all topical residues and wipe clean with a dedicated stone cleaner.

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05. Sealing Your Granite Countertop - Step By Step Instructions

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These instructions are intended as a guide. Always follow the instructions listed on the intended product and test in an inconspicuous area to determine its effect.

• Clean the entire countertop with a dedicated Stone Cleaner specially formulated for granite.

• Working smaller manageable areas at a time, immediately distribute the sealer evenly to the desired areas.

• Allow the sealer to penetrate for 5 minutes.

• Using a microfiber or terry cloth towel redistribute the sealer re-covering all areas.

• Allow the sealer to penetrate for an additional 5 minutes. Adding new sealer to achieve
   complete wetness.

• It is important to keep the surface completely wet throughout the entire sealant process.

• Apply a small amount of sealer to the finished area and immediately remove using a new dry cloth.

• After 10 minutes buff the countertop with a clean microfiber or terry cloth towel to remove any residue.

• Keep countertop dry for a minimum of 6 hours.

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06. Avoiding Hard Water Stains

 

To avoid unsightly hard water marks, wipe down the countertop after each use paying extra attention around the sink and faucet. Keeping these areas dry will prevent the lime build up.

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07. Removing Hard Water Stains

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Using a plastic putty knife at a 450 angle gently, remove all topical residue and wipe area clean with a dedicated stone cleaner. Presoaking the area with a solution of warm water and vinegar at an 80% water ratio will help remove the residue. Helpful hint; sealing your countertops around the sink and stove 2-3 times per year will help with removing hard water build up.

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08. Absorption Stains

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Water absorption marks will dry out naturally over time. Using a hair dryer 6-8" above the surface will help expedite the drying. If your countertops darken after exposure to water, a reapplication of an impregnating sealer is necessary.

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09. How Often Should You Seal Your Countertop

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​As a rule of thumb Granite countertops should be sealed 1-2 times per year. This process should take only 15-30 minutes depending on the size of the countertop. That said there are exceptions to the rule; there are A few varieties of granite that will not benefit from typical sealer because they are either too dense to accept the sealer of, they have been resin treated during the manufacturing process. On the contrary, some granite will need several applications of sealer soon after they were installed due to their naturally large internal structure. For further details regarding a specific sealant regiment please contact your fabricator representative.