Sealing and Cleaning
Prior to installation, your countertops were soaked with a penetrating sealer. We recommend sealing once a year. This will help prevent the absorption of any compound in question. While stains are rare, they are caused most frequently by wine, vinegar, citric acid such as lemon or grapefruit juice, and cooking oil. Do not store bottles of these products directly on your granite. When using these products wipe clean any of the countertops that came in contact with them when you are finished.

Do not store metal pots and pans on your countertops either, as rust can stain the granite. Do not glue or do any preparing of anything using harsh chemicals on counter because they can stain the granite. Markers and crayons are usually oil based. Please do not allow anyone to use them on counters they can melt if near heat and stain the granite.

The sealer is not a waterproof agent. If your granite darkens when it is wet do not be alarmed. The granite will return to its original color when the water evaporates. The safest way to clean your granite tops is to use products designed specifically for stone. Cleaners and disinfectants of this type are neutral on the acid scale, so they pose no risk of hurting the polish. Dish soap and water will work to clean your tops. Avoid anything that contains bleach or any wipe on cleaners that have grit in them.

*Please DO NOT USE any cleaning products that have ammonia or any harsh chemicals. ONLY DISHWASHING LIQUID IS NEEDED TO CLEAN. If you are concerned about bacteria an anti- bacterial dishwashing liquid can be used. Glass products can be used on granite but they must be ammonia free. To avoid water streaking while cleaning wipe your tops until they are completely dry. If lime build-up occurs around your faucet, do not use any lime removal products. Gently scraping the lime off with a straight razor is the best solution.

Avoiding Scratches
Granite is a quartz based material and can therefore be scratched by quartz or anything harder. Knives will not scratch granite unless there is a natural weakness in material, although cutting on your countertops is not recommended as your knives will dull very quickly. Diamonds will scratch granite. Removing diamond rings before cooking is recommended. Certain stoneware dishes contain rough silica sand and pose a risk of scratching. Some pizza-stones will scratch granite if they are spun around while cutting the pizza.

If you use marble cutting boards make sure the rubber feet remain secure. If the marble ends up rubbing on the granite this does pose a scratching risk.

Avoiding Chips
Chips in granite are not common occurrences. When they do happen, chips are most often caused by banging something into the edge of the countertop. Heavy pots and pans and bottoms of large bottles do most of the damage. Take care when you handle them around your granite. If a chip does occur and you find the piece that chipped out, save it. Most of the time, it can be glued back into place with epoxy.

Hot Pots and Pans
High and low temperatures will not harm granite in any way unless there is a natural weakness in material. You can take a pot out of the stove or a pan out of the oven and set it right on your countertop without damage. If you have a seam in your countertop it is best to avoid setting hot materials on top of it. The epoxy in the seam is heat resistant, but can be melted if exposed to heat for an extended period.