How to Take Care of Your Countertops
A guide to maintaining Granite, Quartz, Quartzite, Solid Surface, and Soapstone countertops.
Countertop Cleaning Instructions by Material
Granite Care
Granite is a fairly low maintenance natural stone with a crystalline structure. Most granites need to be resealed every 5-10 years to maintain their hydrophobic properties. Every granite top we make at SolidTops is sealed at no additional cost.
Granite Do’s & Don’ts
Do
Wipe up spills quickly and keep the surface generally clean
Use dish soap and water to clean granite tops
Use trivets and pads under hot pots and pans
Use Firstline Shine and Firstline Clean & Restore to keep your tops looking bright
Don’t
Leave liquids or spills sitting on granite
Use harsh chemicals like bleach or ammonia
Use vinegar, lemon Juice, or acids
Sit, stand or cut on granite
Blue Granite
Quartz Care
Quartz is a man-made surface composed of crushed quartz crystals and resins. It is non-porous and highly hygienic. Quartz is easy to care for and very durable.
Quartz Do’s & Don’ts
Do
Wipe up spills quickly and keep the surface generally clean
Use dish soap and water to clean quartz tops
Use Simple Green sparingly for tougher spots/stains
Use trivets and pads under hot pots and pans
Don’t
Leave liquids or spills sitting on quartz
Use harsh chemicals like bleach, ammonia or products with very high or very low pH
Sit, stand or cut on quartz
Seal your top. Quartz generally does not need to be sealed.
Bright White Quartz
Marble Care
Marble requires more maintenance than other natural stones. This is because marble is porous and composed of crystallized carbonate minerals. Pores make marble more prone to stains, so be gentle with your stone and, as they do in Italy, embrace the natural wear and tear.
Marble Do’s & Don’ts
Do
Wipe up spills immediately and keep the surface clean
Use a coaster!!
Use dish soap and a damp rag to clean marble tops
Use trivets and pads under hot pots and pans
Be very careful with oils, red wine, and dyes around your marble
Don’t
Leave liquids or spills sitting on marble
Move heavy, hard or sharp objects across the surface
Use harsh chemicals like bleach or ammonia
Put vinegar, lemon juice, or acids on marble
Sit, stand or cut on marble
Calacatta Marble
Solid Surface Care
Solid Surfacing such as Corian, Wilsonart, Hi-MACS, and Meganite is very durable, hygienic and stain resistant. Though softer than stone, solid surface is easy to care for. The main thing to avoid is scratching your solid surface with heavy or sharp objects.
Solid Surface Do’s & Don’ts
Do
Wipe up spills and keep the surface generally clean
Use dish soap and water, ammonia based cleaners, or alcohol to clean solid surface tops
Use trivets and pads under hot pots and pans, high heat can quickly damage solid surface
Don’t
Move heavy, hard or sharp objects across the surface
Use rough rags, sponges or cleaning implements with solid surface; soft cleaning tools are better to avoid small abrasions
Scrape or scratch your solid surface tops
Sit or stand on solid surface
Meganite Mt. Carrara
Soapstone Care
Though on the softer side of the spectrum of natural stone, soapstone remains easy to care for because of its tightly packed molecules. Soapstones can form a patina on the surface over time that can be removed with soapstone wax or left on to achieve a more rustic look.
Soapstone Do’s & Don’ts
Do
Wipe up spills and keep the surface generally clean
Use dish soap and water to clean soapstone
Use trivets and pads under hot pots and pans
Apply wax as desired, however add only a little bit at a time to ensure you do not over apply the wax
Don’t
Move heavy, hard or sharp objects across the surface
Use rough rags, sponges or cleaning implements; soft cleaning tools are better to avoid small abrasions
Sit, stand or cut on soapstone
Use harsh or caustic cleaners
Dark Soapstone with White Veins