What should I use to clean my countertops on a daily basis?

For daily cleaning, there are several options: plain soap and water, any of the many glass cleaners or a specialized stone cleaner. When picking a cleaner, try and stay away from those with harsh chemicals, such as ammonia. Ammonia and other chemicals will act to eat away the sealer used on your countertop. This will not ruin the stone, but will require more frequent sealing.

I have been cleaning my countertop with just soap and water, but it looks like the granite is now dull.

Many cleaners as well as soap, may eventually leave a film on the stone. We suggest using a fine steel wool (#000, triple zero) to remove the film and restore the shine to the counter. Don’t worry about the steel wool. It will not harm the granite. You can also use the steel wool if food or other material has dried or become stuck on the stone.

I often hear that I need to seal my countertops every month. Is this true?

The densities of granites vary from one species to another. While granite is not absorptive, density does refer to the amount of fissures (microscopic spaces) between the crystals that make up your granite and gives it its unique color and character. Sealing will fill those fissures. Your countertop was sealed as part of the fabrication process. The need to re-seal on a monthly basis (or ever again) depends upon your stone choice and lifestyle.

Can I place a hot pot directly on my granite countertop?

Heat will not damage your granite countertop. You can move a pot directly from the stove to your granite countertop with no worry. However, a direct open flame may cause irreparable damage to your countertop. Leave your propane torches outside.

Can I use my countertop as a cutting board?

Do not use your countertop as a cutting board. We will provide you a beautiful granite cutting board with your countertop installation.

I have heard that granite will scratch, but yet you recommend steel wool and say knives won’t scratch it? What is the deal?

Anything harder than the granite will scratch it. The diamonds that are used in fabrication obviously scratch the surface. That’s how we achieve the polish that you see in the stone. However, most things in a house that will come in contact with the granite will not scratch the stone.

Do I need to get my granite re-polished periodically? Will it dull over time?

The shine that you have on your stone is not a coating; it is the polished stone itself. You will not wear it away. However, a build up of dirt and film will dull the granite. We suggest using a fine steel wool (#000, triple zero) to remove the film and restore the shine to the counter. Don’t worry about the steel wool. It will not harm the granite. You can also use the steel wool if food or other material has dried or become stuck on the stone.