Care & Maintenance for Granite and Marble

 

Marble, Granite, Slate and Limestone are products of nature and as such may have small cracks, blemishes, voids, different shadings and variations in colour, veining, pitting, and or surface textures, which are inherent properties of natural stones and their products and are not considered defects.

Natural Stones, and products made thereof, are susceptible to the penetration of liquids and other staining agents if the surface is not sealed, but even if the countertops have been sealed, the material remains porous. Sealer acts as a temporary barrier to keep the stone from staining, allowing you a short period of time to clean the surface of the countertop. Wipe up spills immediately using a clean cloth, clean water, and a mild detergent. Do not use abrasive cleaners, which may cause damage to the stone. To further reduce the chance for a countertop to be stained, it is also recommended that the homeowner re-seal the countertop periodically after the initial sealing.

 
We will not be held responsible for any stains incurred after the initial countertop installation.

 

PRECAUTIONS :

DO NOT USE any abrasive cleaners, solvents or waxes/polishes that contain color agents, oils, turpentine, leaded gasoline and kerosene on any natural stones products. DO NOT USE cleaning solutions, such as sulfuric acids, acidic and alkaline cleaners. Substances such as water, paint, coffee, wine, juice, inks, etc…any oil-based products can stain Marble, Limestone, Granite, and or Slate products.

 

 

Care & Maintenance for Quartz

 

Quartz is a non-porous surface and it requires no sealing. In most cases, soap and water or a mild detergent is enough to keep your quartz countertop looking like new. If necessary, use a non-abrasive soft soap along with a non-scratch or delicate scrub pad. Afterwards, thoroughly rinse with clean water to remove residue. Spills should always be cleaned as soon as possible. Never use bleach to clean or wipe any quartz countertops.

For stubborn stains, If needed, apply a non-abrasive household cleaners and rinse to remove residue. To remove adhered material such as food, gum, nail polish or even dried paint, first scrape away excess material with a plastic putty knife and then use a damp cloth to remove any marks or residual dirt. For extra-stubborn stains, a no-scratch Scotch-Brite® pad is recommended along with the non-abrasive cleaner.

While quartz are more heat-resistant than any other stone, it still can be damaged by extreme temperature changes. Therefore, we suggest that hot pots and pans never be directly placed on the surface. We also recommend a hot pad or trivet be placed on the surface under cooking units such as electric frying pans, crock pots, or roaster ovens.

We also ask use of sharp objects should be avoided from having any direct contact with the countertop. Quartz countertops are more scratch resistant than other stones, but they are still susceptible to damage arising from using knives etc., on the surface. Using cutting boards and taking care not to drop or move heavy objects on the surface will help to ensure the longevity of your countertop.

And lastly, it’s important to be aware that like any other surface, quartz countertops can be permanently damaged if exposed to strong chemicals and solvents that can damage its physical properties. Avoid the use of highly aggressive cleaning agents such as oven/grill cleaners and dishwasher polishing agents that have high alkaline/pH levels (pH 8.5 or higher). Products containing oils or powders may leave a residue and should be rinsed off thoroughly. Should your surface accidentally be exposed to any of these damaging products, rinse immediately with clean water to neutralize the effect.

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Care & Maintenance for Vinyl/Thermofoil (Matte and Wood Grain)

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For regular cleaning, always use a cotton cloth or nonabrasive sponge and wipe with mild dish soap or with a 50/50 mix of water and Simple Green, especially on oily or tacky surfaces. To clean stains, always use a damp cloth or nonabrasive sponge and wipe with a 50/50 mix of water and Simple Green, scrubbing lightly for 10 to 20 strokes. This should remove most stains. 

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Protect your vinyl/thermofoil cabinets

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• Keep appliances which produce high heat and steam away from thermofoil cabinets as much as possible. This includes items like indoor grills, high-heat slow cookers, instant pots, and bathroom wall-mounted heaters. Alternatively, use a heat shield.

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• Run the kitchen exhaust during any cooking. Install a fan that vents to the outdoors, rather than merely filtering the air. In the bathroom, turn on your vent fan before you shower and let it continue to run for at least 15 minutes afterward (a timer can help with this).
   

• When you utilize the self-clean feature, it is preferable to remove the cabinet doors prior to operation, if you can. Otherwise, pull the oven outward 8 inches before running the cycle.
   

• Wipe cabinetry with a soft, clean microfiber cloth, either dry or lightly moistened. Avoid abrasive cleaning products and any type of wax.

 

Moisture, Humidity, Heat and Light Damage

 

• Avoid draping damp cloths or dish towels over cabinet doors. This moisture can cause permanent damage — such as peeling and discoloration — to the cabinet’s finish. With excessive moisture, swelling of wood products (especially melamine and MDF) can occur. This will cause rapid expansion and disintegration of the core material which will not be covered by our warranty. Wood and wood products are inherently susceptible to changes in humidity and temperature. As such, it is important to keep a stable environment as much as possible. Failure to do so may cause warping, shrinkage and cracking of cabinetry. Extreme fluctuations of temperature and humidity in an uncontrolled environment will void manufacturer’s warranty. The heat generated when using an oven’s self-cleaning feature is much greater than during normal cooking. If this heat escapes from the oven, it can damage your cabinets. While this is a rare circumstance, we strongly recommend that you remove cabinet doors and drawers nearest the oven before using its self-cleaning feature. Exposure to direct sunlight tends to darken the color of natural wood products. Sunlight can also fade painted wood surfaces, laminated surfaces and thermofoil surfaces. You should consider draperies or blinds to shield your cabinets from direct sunlight.