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The Editor :
November 2006
How Do You Maintain Stone Countertops?
Question: "We just got new granite and marble countertops and were
told that they have been factory sealed. Should we use an additional
sealant? How often do they need to be resealed?"
Answer: First, find out what kind of sealant the factory used on
each stone. Your installer and/or fabricator can give you this
information. Some sealants need to be reapplied every six months to a
year; others can last for several years. The porosity of the stone as
well as its usage (counter, floor or wall; kitchen, bathroom or other
room; amount of traffic or food preparation) also will affect the length
of time between treatments.
You can do the sealing yourself or hire a professional—if the stone has
become stained or needs to be refinished or rebuffed, the latter might
be the wiser choice.
Sealing Granite Counters in the Kitchen
All natural stone is
porous, which means water, spaghetti sauce, cooking oil and other
liquids could seep into and stain it. In addition, acids—whether found
in citrus fruits or household cleaners—have a corrosive effect on stone.
That's why when it comes to natural stone kitchen counters, most pros
recommend using a non-toxic, food-safe penetrating sealer or
impregnator.
Although granite is a hard substance that resists most chipping, heat,
stains and scratches, it can still be damaged. Kelly DaSilva, president
of La Pietra
Custom Marble and Granite in Connecticut, takes a strong
preventative approach to stone care by using two coats of sealer and a
resin treatment. It makes the price of the stone higher for customers
more, but reduces maintenance labor and costs in the long run.
DaSilva recommends StoneTech Professional BulletProof sealer, which the
manufacturer says lasts three to five years for interior surfaces. With
two coats, DaSilva says homeowners only need to reseal every six years.
The factory-applied resin treatment helps to strengthen the granite and
enhance its beauty.
"Resin treatment adds 35 percent extra to the cost, but it covers all
the natural pits and fissures," says DaSilva. "That's why you don't want
to use abrasive cleansers. They eat the seal and treatment, and damage
the finish."
For daily cleaning, she recommends using Rock Doctor or a similar
product designed specifically for stone care.
Avoid Marble in High-Use Areas
Marble is much softer and
less durable than granite, susceptible to chips, scratches, stains and
burns. In fact, DaSilva, like many stone experts, prefers to avoid
installing marble in kitchens.
"You have to be more careful with the marble," explains DaSilva. "Make
sure you don't get acids on it, they will burn into it. It's easily
scratchable. I never recommend marble for kitchen countertops—keep those
fine surfaces for bathroom surrounds and other areas."
Still, many homeowners can't resist marble's beauty, and it's a great
surface for working with dough. If you're going to put marble in the
kitchen, DaSilva says you should be especially careful to keep vinegar,
citric acids, household cleaners and knives well away from it. Marble
requires more frequent sealing than granite.
Regular Cleaning and Spills
The Marble Institute of America recommends
the following regular care for granite and marble counters:
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Clean surfaces with mild, non-oil-based
detergent or stone soap
-
Thoroughly rinse and dry the surface after
washing
-
After food preparation, clean up with
a sponge or cloth and warm water. Do not let spilled ingredients sit
overnight.
-
Blot all liquid spills immediately.
Don't wipe—it will spread the spill. For wine, blot with a paper
towel and then flush the area with warm water and a
non-petroleum-based soap. Rinse several times, then dry with a soft
cloth.
-
Protect counters with coasters, trivets or
placemats. This is especially true for calcareous stones such as
marble, limestone or travertine—alcohol, citric juices and other
common foods can easily etch or dull these surfaces, while hot
cookware, ceramic dishes and silverware will burn or scratch them.
The institute also says homeowners should avoid
cleaning with any of the following:
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Vinegar, lemon juice or other naturally
acidic substances
-
Cleaners that contain acid, such as
bathroom cleaners, grout cleaners or tub & tile cleaners
-
Abrasive cleaners such as dry or soft
cleansers, scouring powders or creams. They can scratch the stone.
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Using a mix of bleach and ammonia, which
creates a toxic and lethal gas. You can use a solution of ½ cup
ammonia to 1 gallon of water to remove soap scum, but be aware that
frequent use of ammonia eventually dulls the stone.
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