Every year in the spring we have certain annual chores we do around the house; prepping the gardens, decluttering, washing the walls, checking the fire alarms to name a few. Another great one to add to the spring cleaning list is caring for your stone countertops and natural stone areas. The type and quality of your stone will determine how you should care for it. Let’s take a look at the different types of stone and how to care for them each year to ensure they maintain their original beauty:
Granite
Granite is a natural stone and one of the best materials for countertops because it is durable and timeless. Granite is dense in nature so stains aren’t likely however because of its uniqueness there may be areas that are more porous than others so sealing out these areas is important. Sealants block stains from seeping into the granite. Liquids bead on a properly sealed countertop. We recommend resealing your granite countertops every 1-2 years. Don’t worry resealing is a quick 15-minute job. Here are 5 easy steps to reseal your granite stone:
- Clean your countertop with a mild cleanser (never use harsh abrasive cleaning agents on granite as it will dull its finish).
- Dry your countertop with a lint-free cloth.
- Pour some sealant onto a cloth and rub it on the countertop, careful to get around the edges and seams.
- Once dry, apply a second coat.
- Let it sit for 24hrs.
A good habit to get into each spring is to test the seal on your granite countertop by spraying the surface with water, if it beads your seal is okay if not reseal. Be sure to test different areas due to variations in this natural stone.
Quartz:
Quartz is an engineered stone that’s extremely popular because of its beautiful colourings, durability, and low maintenance. Quartz is stain and scratch resilient, and never has to be resealed. While quartz is stain resilient it is not stain-proof so cleaning your quartz immediately after a stain is important. Common stains can be removed with rubbing alcohol, Stonex cleaner, or household bleach. There is no need to reseal your quartz countertops.
Marble
Marble is a beautiful stone with gorgeous deep-veined mineral deposits. While marble is beautiful it is also extremely porous and soft therefore sealing it is vital. Keep in mind sealing your marble will help the stone become stain resistant but it will not protect against etching or scratching. We recommend hiring a qualified professional to refinish your Marble surface each year. Be sure to add this to your list of spring cleaning chores.
Soapstone
Soapstone is a beautiful organic-looking stone and grows more beautiful with age. To maintain its durability Soapstone should be treated at least every six months with Linseed oil. Soapstone can be sanded to remove scratches and dents.
Quartzite
Quartzite is a natural stone, much like granite, but it has marbling characteristics rather than a chunkier composition like granite. It is great for countertops as it is a very hard and dense material. Quartzite can show scratches over time and lighter quartzites should be resealed every 6-8 months and darker every 12 months.
Spring is a beautiful time of year full of renewal and fresh starts. Adding the maintenance of your stone surfaces to your spring cleaning routine will help ensure your stone countertops will stand the test of time and maintain their original glow.
