Want to learn how you can care and clean your countertops? This page is dedicated to helping you understand the different materials for countertops including marble, granite, quartz, and quartzite to keep them looking as stunning as the day they were installed. Each type of stone has its advantages and it is important to know them before selecting the slabs for your home.
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Buying Guide
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Granite
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Marble
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Quartz
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| Scratch Resistant |
Yes
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No
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Yes
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| Stain Resistant |
Yes
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No
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Yes
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| Bacteria Resistant |
Yes
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No
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Yes
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| Heat Resistant |
Yes
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No
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Yes
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| Burn Resistant |
Yes
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Yes
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No
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| 100% Natural |
Yes
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Yes
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Yes
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Sealing
• All counters are sealed during installation
• Granite: we recommend resealing every one to two years
• Sand Quartzite: Reseal every 3 to 6 months
• Quartzite: we recommend resealing once a year
• Marble & Travertine: Reseal every 3 to 6 months
• Quartz: Because quartz is manufactured and non-porous, no sealing is required
• Our Natural Stone sealer: $42.95*
Cleaning
• Our 3-1 Natural Stone Cleaner: $26.85*
• Our Quartz Cleaner: $32.21*
• For every day, cleaning use mild dish soap and a clean dishrag
• Avoid natural cleaners with high amounts of acid, such as lemon juice and vinegar
Service Warranty
• Workmanship (seams, 1 year)
Quartzite
• Clean up spills immediately-especially oil and acidic foods, such as tomato sauce and wine.
• Products specifically made for cleaning natural stone are recommended for everyday cleaning.
• If stone cleaners are not available, use a damp sponge or microfiber cloth with warm water and mild dish soap to clean spills and loosen dirt. Repeated use of dish soap could cause residue to build up and diminish the stone’s shine. Cleaning products with ammonia, vinegar, and bleach can break down the sealer over time, and are not recommended.
• Use a hot pad or trivet under very hot pots or pans.
• Using a cutting board when cutting on your quartzite countertop. Cutting directly on the surface can damage the sealer, stone, and knife.
• Although all countertops are sealed prior to installation, a stain may result when a substance is absorbed into the pores of the quartzite.
Granite
Quarried from the mountains of Italy, Brazil, the U.S., India, and dozens of other countries around the world, granite is one of the most popular natural stones on the market. It provides organic beauty, indisputable strength, and ultra durability. Traditionally, it’s the ideal material chosen by architects and engineers when permanence, enduring color and texture, and complete freedom from deterioration and maintenance are vital. Granite can be used indoors and outdoors. Both eye-catching and ageless, it’s available in many colors, textures, and finishes that complement any decor. Granite can hold up in the most demanding situations. When used outdoors, granite’s mineralogical composition can endure freezing and thawing cycles. The diamond-like hardness of granite makes it impervious to extreme heat, ultraviolet light, acids, and abrasions. However, it is somewhat porous and requires a penetrating sealer to deter stains.
• Avoid using cleaning products with any kind of acid or abrasive; they may cause de-colorations or scratches.
• Do not stand, kneel down on, or sit on your countertops, as they could crack or break.
• Use a hot pad or trivet under very hot pots or pans.
• Wipe up any spills on the countertops within a reasonable amount of time, and do not let the liquid sit on the countertop overnight.
• Blot oil and acid spills as soon as they happen, and clean them with mild soap and warm water to avoid any harm to your countertops. If the oil stains remain, a general poultice with baking soda and water is the best remedy. Moisten the surface of the granite with the same liquid that made the paste. Then apply the poultice paste to the granite surface about 1⁄2” thick. Tape plastic sheeting over the poultice area, and allow it to sit for 48 hours. Remove the poultice with a spatula, rinse the cleansed area with clean water, wipe off excess water, and allow the surface to dry.
• Granite tends to attract soap scum. Rinse with hot clean water on a regular basis and use a paper towel to dry.
Quartz
Quartz is considered a man made product but it generally consists of 93% natural materials (crushed quartz) or more and the remainder is resin material. Quartz is extremely hard and is scratch, bacteria, heat, and fire resistant. It require no maintenance. It also comes in many colors. Maintaining your new quartz countertop is easy. In most cases, soap and water or a mild detergent is all that is required to maintain its luster. If necessary, apply common, non-abrasive, household cleaners on a cloth or sponge and wipe the surface, rinsing thoroughly after cleaning.
Spills
Sometimes spills occur and dry on the worktop. Materials that harden as they dry, such as gum, grease, nail polish or paint should be removed by gently scraping away the residue material with a blunt plastic scraper. Clean the quartz with a household vinegar/water solution (always follow the manufacturer’s dilution instructions) or with a non-abrasive cleaning pad (such as a white 3M Scotch-BriteR) with a non-bleach, non-abrasive liquid cleaner and rinse with clean water. The surface should be dried with a clean white paper towel or white cloth.
Resistance to Stains and Chemicals
Quartz countertops are non-porous, so spills and stains are not absorbed into the surface, making them stain-resistant. Permanent markers/inks and some chemicals (e.g. acetone and paint) may cause permanent discoloration to the surface and should be avoided. Should these agents come into contact with the surface, wipe them up immediately and rinse them with plenty of water.
• DO NOT expose, in use or otherwise, quartz surfaces to abrasive, strong alkaline, acids, oxidizers, or the like (whether high, neutral or low pH) cleaners. Avoid exposing your tops to harsh chemicals!
• DO NOT use abrasive or harsh scrub pads.
• DO NOT apply any sealers, penetrants, or topical treatments to quartz surfaces under any circumstances. Such products will wear off and cause the gloss to appear dull or inconsistent.
Heat Resistance
Quartz countertops ARE NOT heat-proof, chemical proof or fracture-proof in any form. To maintain the beauty of your quartz countertop, DO NOT place hot skillets or roasting pans directly onto the surface. Also be aware of the potential damage to the surface by heat-generating appliances such as electric grills, crock pots, or toasters. We recommend the use of trivets and hot pads to prevent heating the top. Certain exposure to heat may cause cracks.
Cuts or Scratches
Avoid using knives directly on the quartz surface. Quartz countertops are scratch resistant, but they are not scratch-proof and can be damaged when forcefully hit with sharp objects. Use a cutting board placed on top of the countertop to avoid damage. Avoid sliding heavy pots and pans or other heavy items across the countertop. Scratches and chips are difficult to repair and can void the manufacturer’s warranty. With a small amount of care, your quartz surface will look as great as the day you bought it for years to come.
*There is a 2% fee when payment is made by credit card, prices shown do not include the fee.
Please call beforehand to check availability, if you have any other questions – contact us!
Universal Stone
961 Stagecoach Rd,
Shakopee, MN 55379
(952) 746-4690
