When it comes to selecting new surfaces for your kitchen, it’s important to choose the best option for your lifestyle. Before you commit to a particular stone, learn how to care for each. We take a look at what it takes to maintain granite, marble and quartz on a daily basis. .
Cleaning Granite
Wash granite countertops with warm soapy water to remove spills or leftover residue. Avoid harsh or acidic cleaners such as lemon juice, Windex, hydrofluoric acid, vinegar or ammonia which can deteriorate the surface.
Granite Care
Seal your granite once a year. This adds a layer of protection from spills and keeps stone looking new. First clean the countertop, then apply the sealer spray and let it sit on the surface for 30 min. Remove excess spray with a dry towel and don’t place anything on the granite for 6 hours. If that sounds like too much effort you can always call in the pros at Mees to take over.
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Marble Cleaning
Like granite, use a mild, non-acidic cleaner. Never use utensils to remove buildup as they scrape the stone, instead try hot water!
Marble Care
Marble is a porous surface, and while beautiful, it requires the most maintenance out of the three stones. Every three to six months you’ll need to apply a marble stone sealer to the clean countertop surface. You should clean in small sections and let the sealer sit for at least 30 min. To see if it is ready, pour a few drops of water on the surface, if the water beads, you’re done!
Quartz Cleaning
Quartz is non-porous making it a fairly low maintenance stone. Hot water and a sponge are sufficient for most spills, and just a touch of dish soap will work well on stubborn or greasy spills. Just like granite and marble, you’ll want to avoid using acidic cleaners.
Quartz Care
While quartz doesn’t require sealing, it still needs to be handled with care. Use coasters to prevent rings, trivets with hot dishes, and remember to blot spills with a paper towel to avoid spreading any spills.
(Photos via Houzz)