Countertop Maintenance: A Comprehensive Breakdown by Stone
Maintaining your countertops is essential to keep them in good condition, preserving their appearance and longevity. In this blog from Natural Stone City, we’ll cover countertop maintenance according to the most common or sought-after countertop types. Each section will include tips on cleaning, quick maintenance, and solutions for dealing with chips or cracks.
1) General Countertop Maintenance Tips
6) Lapitec (Sintered Stone) Countertops
While we hope to answer some of the most common questions about countertop care and maintenance in this blog, you can always contact us at Natural Stone City for expert advice and tips!
Learn how to complete countertop maintenance with tips from the pros at Natural Stone City . - *Image by Natural Stone City
Countertop Maintenance
1) General Countertop Maintenance Tips
While the care and maintenance of your countertop varies according to the type of stone, there are some general guidelines we can provide to help you keep your countertops looking fresh and clean. Consider the following general tips:
Regular Sealing
Many stone and concrete countertops require periodic sealing to prevent stains and moisture penetration. For natural stone surfaces like Quartzite, regular sealing is important to prevent staining and moisture absorption. Materials like Lapitec and Sintered Stone are non-porous and do not need sealing, but they still require care to avoid surface damage. Always follow manufacturer recommendations for the best results. Looking for instructions about the care of your countertop? Contact Natural Stone City.
Preventative Care
Always use trivets for hot items, cutting boards for food prep, and coasters for drinks to prevent surface damage.
Immediate Spill Clean-Up
For countertops prone to staining (e.g., marble, granite), clean spills as soon as possible, especially acidic or coloured substances like wine, lemon juice, or coffee.
Avoid Harsh Chemicals
Stick to gentle, non-abrasive cleaners to maintain the integrity of the countertop surface. Avoid bleach or ammonia-based products.
Next, we’ll provide you with maintenance tips for the most common countertop types.
2) Granite Countertops
Keep your white granite surfaces looking beautiful and clean with regular application of sealant. - * Image by MSI Surfaces
Cleaning
In general, it is best to use a pH-balanced cleaner or a mild dish soap with warm water when cleaning granite countertops. Avoid acidic cleaners which can damage the surface such as anything that contains the following ingredients:
Lemon (citrus)
Vinegar
Ammonia
Finally, use a microfiber cloth to avoid scratches when wiping your countertop as granite is not totally scratch-proof.
Quick Maintenance
It is recommended that you seal your granite countertops every 1-3 years to prevent staining and maintain their shine. You can also apply a granite polish occasionally to keep the surface glossy. Remember to use trivets and cutting boards to avoid scratches or heat damage.
Chips or Cracks
For minor chips, you can try using a granite repair kit to fill and colour the chip. For large cracks, it is best to call a professional to perform repairs. Unfortunately, if the crack is deep, it may require resurfacing or a full replacement.
3) Quartz Countertops
This Calacatta Cinela Quartz countertop is loved for it’s durability and low maintenance. - * Image by MSI Surfaces
Cleaning
Quartz is known for being highly durable and resistant to stains because it is a non-porous material. You can clean your quartz countertops with mild dish soap or a gentle cleaner and a soft cloth. Still, it is best to avoid harsh chemicals, as they can cause discoloration or damage to the finish.
Quick Maintenance
While a quartz countertop is heat-resistant, you should still avoid placing hot pots or pans directly on the surface to prevent damage. Use cutting boards to prevent scratches and wipe up spills quickly to be safe from accidental staining, especially due to dyes or acidic substances.
Chips or Cracks
For small chips, you can use a quartz repair kit to fill and colour the area. However, larger cracks may need to be repaired by a professional, often with a resin or adhesive application.
4) Marble Countertops
The lovely white marble in this bathroom requires regular sealing. - * Image by MSI Surfaces
Cleaning
While marble is a durable material, you should still use a neutral pH cleaner or mild soap and warm water to clean it. We also recommend that you avoid acidic cleaners (e.g., lemon, vinegar) as they can dull the finish and cause etching.
Quick Maintenance
Since marble is a soft and porous natural stone, it can absorb liquids like wine, oil, and juice. To prevent stains and the absorption of liquids, we recommend you seal your marble countertops regularly (every 6-12 months). Also, avoid placing hot items directly on marble, as it can cause burns or discoloration. Finally, use coasters for beverages and cutting boards to avoid scratches.
Chips or Cracks
For chips, apply a marble repair compound that matches the color of the stone. Again, larger cracks may require professional repair, which could involve filling the crack with resin or epoxy.
5) Quartzite Countertops
You probably invested more money in quartzite, so keep it in good shape with proper care. - * Image by MSI Surfaces
Before we consider the care required of Quartzite, let’s just first look at the difference between Quartz and Quartzite.
Quartz countertops are engineered surfaces made from crushed quartz and resin, offering a wide range of colours and patterns with low maintenance and affordability, though they are less heat and scratch-resistant than quartzite. Quartzite, a natural stone, is harder, more heat-resistant, and unique in appearance, but requires regular sealing and tends to be more expensive. While quartz is ideal for those seeking a low-maintenance, customizable option, quartzite offers exceptional durability and natural beauty for those willing to invest in a premium material.
Ok, now we’ll look at the countertop maintenance of Quartzite.
Cleaning
Use a gentle, pH-balanced cleaner with warm water and avoid harsh chemicals, acidic cleaners, or abrasive sponges that can dull the surface. Use a soft cloth when drying your countertops to prevent water spots or streaks.
Quick Maintenance
As we mentioned earlier, you will need to seal your quartzite countertops. You should seal them every 1-2 years to protect against staining and moisture. Avoid placing hot pots or pans directly on the surface. Quartzite is heat resistant but can still suffer from thermal shock. Finally, use cutting boards to protect from scratches. Although quartzite is harder than granite but still susceptible to wear.
Chips or Cracks
Small chips can be filled with a resin or stone filler that matches the colour of the quartzite. As per usual, cracks may require professional repair, including filling with epoxy or resurfacing the affected area.
6) Lapitec (Sintered Stone) Countertops
You don’t have to seal a Lapitec countertop, but we recommend avoiding harsh chemicals and extreme heat. *Image by Laptiec
If you are unfamiliar with Lapitec, it is a brand of sintered stone, a man-made material that is created by compressing natural minerals at high temperatures and pressures to form a solid, durable surface. It is a non-porous, highly resistant material that offers the aesthetic appeal of natural stone while being more durable and low-maintenance.
Lapitec is resistant to heat, scratches, stains, and UV rays, making it ideal for use in both indoor and outdoor applications, including countertops, cladding, and flooring. It’s available in a wide range of colours and finishes, with the added benefit of not requiring sealing like many natural stones.
Here’s how you care for it:
Cleaning
Clean your counters with a mild detergent or stone-specific cleaner mixed with warm water. As always, be cautious and avoid abrasive scrubbers or acidic cleaners, which can damage the surface. When you wrap up the cleaning, wipe down your countertops with a microfiber cloth to maintain the polished look.
Quick Maintenance
Lapitec is non-porous, so no sealing is required, but it's a good idea to avoid exposing it to harsh chemicals or extreme heat. As per usual, use trivets, cutting boards, and mats to prevent scratches, especially from heavy cookware or sharp objects.
Chips or Cracks
Small chips can be repaired with a stone repair kit that is colour-matched. On the other hand, cracks may require professional repair. Please note that since Lapitec is a sintered stone, significant damage might require a full replacement or resurfacing by a specialist.
Get More Expert Advice From Natural Stone City
Whether you need additional advice on countertop maintenance, tips for selecting a new countertop, questions about installation, or a quote, Natural Stone City is here to serve you. With over 25 years of experience, we strive to exceed industry standards to provide exceptional customer care. We don’t just care for countertops, we care for you! Contact us today for additional advice or for a free estimate.
What Our Customers Are Saying…
“Very pleased with the service we received at Natural Stone City. After shopping around and getting numerous quotes in London and surrounding area, we decided to complete our project with Natural Stone City as their quote was the most detailed and transparent. The expected turn around time from template to instal was approximately 2 weeks which also beat any competitor we had been in contact with. Nikki was great to deal with from the second we walked through the door and made the entire process easy with her open communication. The staff were all thorough and respectful in our home while measuring for the template and installing our quartz counter tops. Overall, I would strongly recommend Natural Stone City & I hope we get another opportunity to work with them in the future.”
