use and care

How to Care for Your Countertops & Surfaces

Every countertop is unique, so caring for each type will be different. Learn more about countertop care below.

laminate countertops

General Care

• Do not place hot items directly on laminate surface.  Use a trivet or other protective surface under pots/pans, waffle irons, curing irons, clothing irons, etc.
• Do not use knives or other sharp utensils that may slice or scratch the laminate surface.  Use a cutting board for chopping and slicing.
• Do not slide abrasive items (such as ceramics) across laminate surface.  Use a place mat or protective surface underneath these items.

Cleaning

• For everyday cleaning, use a clean, damp, non-abrasive cloth with a mild detergent or household cleaner. For stuck-on residue, scrub with a nylon bristled brush.
• For cleaning difficult stains, apply a paste of baking soda and water to draw out the stain. Blot away with a damp cloth – do not rub.
• Never use cleaners containing acid, alkali, or bleach.

solid surface countertops

General Care

• Never place hot pans directly from the burner or oven on a solid surface countertop. While solid surface can withstand sustained temperatures up to 225°F, prolonged or extreme heat could cause yellowing.
• Always use a trivet under heated appliances, such as crock-pots, electric frying pans, etc.
• Strong acids – like those found in drain, toilet bowl, and oven cleaners – should be used cautiously around solid surfaces. If any of these items come in contact with a solid surface countertop, wipe them up at once. Some of these items, when left on the surface, may cause whitening, which can be difficult to remove.

Cleaning

• Solid surface countertops are nonporous, so everyday cleaning only requires a damp cloth and a mild cleanser.
• If you’ve chosen a matte finish, feel free to use an abrasive cleaner like Ajax or Comet. However, if you do use an abrasive cleaner, we recommend periodically cleaning the entire surface in a circular motion to maintain uniformity.
• Some tough spills and stains, such as food dye, tea, and fruit drinks, may require more aggressive cleaning. These common stains can be removed with full-strength bleach, followed by a general cleanser. Bleach should only come in contact with the surface for 2-5 minutes (be sure to rinse your surface with clean water afterwards). On a matte finish, bleach can be avoided by scrubbing with an abrasive cleaner.
• While solid surface will not burn, if a lit cigarette touches your solid surface countertop, it could leave a nicotine stain or scorch mark. These can be removed by using an abrasive cleaner or buffing in a circular motion with a Scotch-Brite pad.

Repairing Scratches

• For removing superficial scratches, rub in a circular motion with a wet Scotch-Brite hand pad #7448 until the scratches are removed. Clean thoroughly with soap and water, then let dry.
• Deep scratches can be removed by carefully and lightly sanding with 120-grit sandpaper followed by 220-grit and 320-grit sandpaper. After sanding, rub the surface with a wet Scotch-Brite hand pad #7448 in a circular motion to restore the finish. Once the surface is dry, apply a non-wax polish cleaner or other recommended surface dressing for added protection or more luster. Wipe with a clean, dry cloth. Wipe dry using another clean cloth.

Severe Damage

• Should your solid surface countertop sustain a deep gouge, fracture, crack, or any other severe damage, contact us, and a professional countertop fabricator will repair the surface to its original state.

Quartz/Cambria Countertops

General Care

• Quartz/Cambria countertops may not withstand the direct and sudden transfer of heat from pots, pans, and other cooking units and heated items. Use a hot pad or trivet underneath these items to prevent damaging your quartz or Cambria countertop or surface.
• Whether high, neutral, or low pH, do not expose quartz/Cambria to abrasive or strong alkaline, acid, or oxidizer cleaner. Avoid abrasive or strong free radicals. Various chemicals are corrosive and/or erosive in their ability to attack any structure, including quartz and Cambria. Be very aware of these potential damages to your surface.
• Where there are visible seams in the quartz or Cambria surface, the product pattern and shade can change.
• Avoid hitting surfaces with force, as the quartz/Cambria may chip or crack.

Cleaning

• Do not use or expose quartz/Cambria countertops to such products including, but not limited to the following: bleach, oven cleaners, Comet, Soft Scrub, SOS, products with pumice, batteries, paint removers, furniture strippers, tarnish, silver cleaners, or similar products.
• Do not use abrasive or harsh scrub pads.
• Do not apply any sealers, penetrants, or topical treatments to quartz/Cambria under any circumstances. These products will wear off and cause the gloss to appear dull or inconsistent.
• Semi-polished finishes (1cm) will not shine and will soil the countertops. They will appear stained from soiling.

General Installation

• Quartz and Cambria are not a structural support product. Quartz/Cambria surfaces with 2cm and 3cm thicknesses are for countertops and must be supported. Quartz/Cambria with 1cm thickness is for surface finishes such as walls, tub and shower surrounds, and fireplaces. In addition, horizontal applications (such as a tub deck) must be completely supported.
• Quartz/Cambria installation is optimized when walls and cabinets are properly prepared for installation. This includes but is not limited to structurally sound, straight, level, and square walls and cabinets. Lack of preparation may cause poor installation, poor seam fit, inconsistent countertop, inconsistent overhang, and inconsistent placement.
• Disclaimer: Quartz/Cambria installation does not include qualification of any sink or stove cutouts (any cutouts), faucet hole locations, or cabinet sizes. We are not responsible for verifying if the sink, stove, cutout appliances, cabinets, and faucet hole locations fit together well (or at all). This is the responsibility of the owner and/or general contractor. We will fabricate cutouts per supplied model/template information. We are not responsible for the accuracy of the information provided.

natural stone countertops

ULTRA COMPACT COUNTERTOPS

General Care

• Do not apply too much weight to any one spot, as this may cause the granite countertop to crack.
• Do not sit or stand on the countertop’s surface.
• Also, be observant of what wall decorations hang over the stone countertops. If the hanging decorations are heavy and fall onto the surface, the natural stone may crack under the stress.
• Always use coasters under cups and drinking glasses.
• Do not use the countertop as a cutting board, as this may scratch the stone.
• Always place heat-resistant mats under kitchen or bath appliances, dishes, or china.
• Regularly dust granite countertops, islands, and vanities.
• Regularly clean stone surfaces with warm water and a soft cloth, or check with a local Granite Expo for a specialty cleaning agent.
• Blot spills immediately.
• Non-evaporating liquids (exg: oils) that are not blotted within 1-2 minutes will stain.
• Evaporating liquids such as water, wine, and grape juice will temporarily leave a dark spot, but may stain if the stone countertop or surface is not properly sealed.
• Avoid placing excessive weight on these surfaces. Sitting or standing on them is not recommended.
• Avoid sudden/rapid changes in temperature as this may cause damage to the surface.

Cleaning

• Granite countertops and surfaces need to be cleaned regularly to maintain their natural sheen and vitality.
• In the event of a spill, blot the spill with a paper towel immediately. Don’t wipe the area, as this will spread the spill into your countertop. Flush the area with plain water and mild soap, then rinse several times. Dry the area thoroughly with a soft cloth. Repeat as necessary.
• Clean granite surfaces with a few drops of non-acidic soap scum remover, a mild liquid dishwashing detergent, or denatured alcohol.
• Use a specialty cleaning agent made for natural stone. These specialty cleaning agents will remove oil, residue, and help clean up everyday food or bath and beauty product spills.
• Thoroughly rinse and dry the surface after washing.
• Too much cleaner or soap may leave a film and cause streaks.
• Do not use products that contain lemon, vinegar, or other acid content that may etch the surface.
• Do not use abrasive cleaners, such as dry cleaners or soft cleansers.
• Do not use cleaners that contain acids such as bathroom cleaners, grout cleaners, or tile cleaners.
• Do not apply acetone or any type of paint thinner.
• Keep in mind that spills of certain chemicals – especially acids or alkali products – will permanently stain the stone. Therefore, it is important to consider sealing granite countertops and surfaces for an extra layer of protection and to carefully observe prevention measures.
• Do not mix bleach and ammonia. This combination creates a toxic and lethal gas.
• Frequent or over-use of soap scum remover could result in dulling the surface of the stone.

Sealing

• Re-application of sealer is recommended after 1-2 years, which can be easily done at home.
• Different types of natural stone surfaces require different resealing frequency.
• All-natural stone is porous and should be sealed before use. Sealing will make the granite surface more durable against wear and tear.
• Sealer comes in water-based or oil-based variants and can have a natural or glossy finish. Water-based sealers are easier to apply and safer for the environment. If your granite countertop has a shiny polished surface, avoid using a sealer with a glossy finish. Applying sealer in most cases is quite simple, does not require any special tools, and can be completed in a few minutes.
• Wait at least 72 hours after the initial installation before applying sealer.
• Before sealing, it’s important to clean the granite countertop. A mild liquid detergent usually does the trick, but use denatured alcohol for the best results.
• After cleaning, completely dry the surface.
• Apply the sealer according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Wait at least 2 hours before applying an additional coat. Generally, one coat is sufficient, but you may want to apply as many as three coats in a high traffic area.
• Test your granite countertops to see if they need an additional coat by applying a few drops of water to the surface. The water droplets should not be absorbed by the granite. If they get absorbed within a few minutes, it needs an additional coat of sealer.

Food Safety

• Natural stone is not approved by the National Sanitation Foundation International for meeting food preparation standards because it is highly porous and absorbs moisture.

General Care

• Please avoid direct constant contact between worktops and metal areas of electric griddles and hobs which can occasionally occur due to incorrect installation.
• Avoid very high temperature direct sources of heat such as fireplaces, chimneys, barbeques etc.
• Avoid direct contact with a naked flame.
• Do not carry out any form of mechanical work on the surface, such as polishing.
• Avoid using metal scouring pads; the use of this type of product can lead to the loss of the product guarantee.
• Although the ultra-compact Dekton® surface is an extremely resistant surface, knocks should be avoided in areas which are more exposed (corners, edges, bevels etc.).
• Recipients such as frying pans, saucepans, casseroles and coffee makers etc. can be placed directly on the work surface after use. Electrical apparatuses which give off heat can also be placed on the unprotected surface. Dekton® is designed to withstand utensil temperatures from domestic use.
• Due to its practically zero porosity, the ultra-compact Dekton® surface is highly resistant to staining in day-to-day use and from chemical products.

Cleaning

• For general cleaning, Cosentino® recommends the use of Q-Action® with a sponge or scouring pad. If this product is not available, the best option is to use a neutral soap and water.
• In the case of aggressive stains, either from products that are resistant to normal cleaning agents or because they have remained on the work surface without being removed, we recommend using more specific products such as: cream detergents with abrasive particles or solvents (acetone or universal solvent type).