ENGINEERED SURFACES

Engineered stone countertops have become one of the frontrunners in homes for kitchen and bathroom surfaces. Most common is quartz. The type of quartz that is used for these countertops varies: some quartz countertop material is made of naturally quarried slabs of quartz, while a lot of newly engineered quartz countertop material is engineered with approximately 95% ground quartz and 5% resins. One of the main reasons that quartz has become so popular as a household material is its natural hardness and durability. Many people end up choosing engineered quartz for the variety of aesthetic options – available in such a wide variety of colors and textures, but we need to remember our surfaces aren’t indestructible. There are few things to remember after purchasing man made surfaces.

・Though quartz will resist permanent staining when exposed to liquids like wine, vinegar, tea, lemon juice, and soda, or fruits and vegetables, it’s important to wipe up spills immediately—before they have a chance to dry. Take care of fresh messes with mild dishwashing detergent and a soft cloth, fortunately, soapy water will usually do the trick.

・The steel wool pads impregnated with soap you can find at your local supermarket should be kept away from your quartz countertops. Although quartz surfaces are solid and durable, the top finish may become dull or scratched if you use overly harsh scouring pads. In the kitchen, you can use a soft nylon brush to remove organic stains that have stuck to the surface.

・Trivets and hot pads are your quartz countertop’s best friends. Though the material is heat- and scorch-resistant, the resin used in manufacturing quartz countertops is a plastic and therefore prone to melting in heat above 300 degrees Fahrenheit. A sudden change in temperature or prolonged exposure to heat from a pan left on the countertop may even cause the quartz to crack. To be safe, always use a trivet or hot pad.

・Use Sharp Metals for Cleaning - while you can safely rest a kitchen knife or a shaving razor on top of quartz counters, you should not use sharp metal objects for cleaning. Should you accidentally spill paint on a quartz surface, use a plastic knife or scraper to remove it.

・Usa A Cutting Board - Cutting and chopping food directly on your quartz can be tempting because quartz is durable and hard but we do not recommend it. We encourage you to keep a cutting board on site and use it when chopping, cutting, and slicing food. Quartz is scratch resistant but they are not scratch proof. Another reason why cutting boards matter is because your knives will get dull.

NATURAL STONE COUNTERTOPS

Stone countertops not only add an expensive touch to kitchens, baths, and multi-purpose rooms, they are an excellent choice for durability. Whether you choose granite, limestone, marble, quartz, or soapstone, it is important to learn how to care for each type of stone properly to prevent damage.

・Polished as well as honed and leathered countertops installed by Faithful Countertops have been thoroughly sealed with a food safe, penetrating sealer. The sealing process makes your countertops stain resistant. It doesn’t make them stain-proof. Any stains that result from not properly cleaning and maintaining your countertops are considered the result of abuse and are therefore not covered by your warranty. Wipe up all spills immediately. Then gently wash the spill area with warm water mixed with a small amount dish detergent. After washing rinse the surface using clean water and a clean cloth, wipe until dry. Water left to evaporate on its own can leave a film or water spots. Sealed granite will still absorb small amounts of water. It is not uncommon to find a slight discoloration where water has been spilled or a beverage container has been set. The water will evaporate without leaving a trace. The sealer coats the granite’s naturally occurring irregularities with microscopic platelet-like solids that make cleaning easier.

・Solvent based degreasers and harsh cleaners won’t harm the stone they will degrade the sealer and should be avoided. Acid based cleaners can etch the stone’s surface and therefore should be avoided. Never use cleansers like, Ajax®, Comet®, Bon Ami®, etc., on your countertops because they will scratch the polished finish. Never set hot pots or pans directly on your countertops. Setting hot pans directly on your stone countertops without using a trivet or hot pad will void your sealing warranty and can cause the stone surface to discolor, this is called “blushing.” This type of discoloration cannot be repaired. Therefore it is always wise to use trivets or hot pads to protect your countertops. Also be sure to use cutting boards and avoid cutting food directly on your countertop. It will protect your countertops from scratches and chips.

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