Solid Surface Care Tips

Your countertop is nonporous and can be easily wiped clean with a damp cloth and mild detergents or general cleaner purpose cleaner such as Mr. Clean or Lestoil.  If you have a Matte finish, abrasive cleaners like Ajax or Comet may also by used.  Please avoid using cleaners that contain strong acids.  Periodically, it may also be helpful to go over the entire surface with an abrasive cleanser or a wet 7447 Scotch-Brite pad (for a Matte finish) to maintain a uniform appearance.  Rinse with water and towel dry.

Remember to keep hot pans directly from the burner away from your countertop-use a hot pad or trivet.  Always use a trivet under crock pots, electric fry pans, coffee pots, etc. 

Turn the cold water on at your sink when you're draining boiling water into your sink.

Always use a cutting board rather than cutting directly on your solid surface countertop.

Avoid standing or sitting on your countertop.

For troublesome spills and stains such as food dye, tea and fruit drinks, you may use full-strength bleach for 2-5 minutes, followed by a general cleaner and flushing with water.  On Matte finish, if you prefer you can scrub with an abrasive cleanser.

Even nail polish can be removed with nail polish remover or an abrasive cleanser.

If strong acid cleaners are accidentally spilled on your counter, wipe them up at once and rinse with water. They may cause whitening if left on the surface.

Cigarette burns can be removed with an abrasive cleanser or buffing with a Scotch-Brite pad.

Please remember your solid surface countertops are scratch resistant, but not scratch proof.  Certain times of the day, sunlight will make the scratches more visible.  The best part is all imperfections are fixable.

To remove scratches on a Matte finish:  Sand with 220-grit sandpaper on sanding block.  Use small circular motions until scratch is gone.  Blend finish with an abrasive cleanser and a maroon 7447 Scotch-Brite Pad.
If you prefer professional help on removing any scratches or stains; it's only a service call away.  Scratches incurred during normal everyday use are not covered under your countertop's warranty.

Engineered Stone Countertop Info
Engineered Stone is pure, natural quartz.  Variation in the natural stone (quartz) color, pattern, size, shape and shade are inherent and unique characteristics are to be expected with this product.  This does not affect the product performance in any manner.

Engineered Stone is structurally more resistant to surface damage than other stone.  However, all stone can be damaged by excessive force or pressure.

Engineered Stone is not a seamless product, seams are visible.  Where there are seams, the product pattern and shade and change (countertops).  Please remember if seams are required, they will be visible in your granite countertop. Final seam placement is determined based on practical stone layout, weight and installation issues. 

Natural stone surfaces can be damaged by sudden and rapid change of temperature, especially near the edges, as well as direct or sustained heating of the top.  Engineered stone may not withstand the direct transfer of heat from pots and pans and other cooking units such as electric frying pans and griddles, and some crock-pots or roaster oven and heat lamps.  Therefore, the use of a hot pad or trivet is always recommended.

Granite Countertop Info
We highly recommend using cleaners that are designed for use on stone. Glass cleaners will be too harsh; soap and water may leave a soap residue that will cause problems over time.  Do not  use bleach, vinegar, cleansers, lemon juice, tile cleaners or other acidic products. MB-5 Marble, Granite & More Cleaner is one of the best we could find on the market.  Use it on the mirrors in the bathroom and you won't have to worry about overspray from glass cleaner damaging your granite or marble vanity top. For use in the bathroom you can dilute the MB-5 1:1 with water; we suggest making a separate spray bottle and labeling it MB-5 Diluted.

You may want to use a good stone polish (we use MB-13) to help keep fingerprints at bay and make routine cleaning of your granite countertop with MB-5 a lot easier.

Be sure to blot up spills immediately to prevent staining and etching. 

Do not use Scotch-Brite pads. The silicon carbide grits will scratch your granite. If you have a stubborn stain, spray with MB-5 and let it sit awhile to moisten/soften the soil.

Depending on your type of stone and the type of sealer used, you may need to seal your countertops about once a year.  It is vital to keep your countertops sealed. Even if a long lasting sealer has been applied, you need to verify the seal is holding at least once a year.  One method to check the seal is to sprinkle water on your countertops. If it soaks into the stone and does not bead up, please have your countertops resealed.

Please remember if seams are required, they will be visible in your granite countertop. Final seam placement is determined based on practical stone layout, weight and installation issues.

Stone is natural and will have natural veining that adds to its beauty.  Please be aware the color variation and veining will likely vary from slab to slab.

Stone countertops are not covered by any type of warranty.  Any scratches, stains, cracks or other issues that may occur after installation are the sole responsibility of the owner.

Quartz Sink Care Tips

Quartz is the hardest of all common minerals and gives the sink a high resistance to every-day usage and extreme heat; however, it can be scratched or scuffed by sharp or hard objects.  So take care that knives and heavy objects are not "dropped" in the sink.  Chipping, cuts and nicks, scratches, etc. that appear as part of normal usage are not covered by warranty.

Rinsing and drying after each use will help eliminate any film build-up that may develop from hard water deposits over time.

Please do not use abrasive powders or pads; this will dull and scratch the surface and make it more susceptible to stains.

Refrain from putting hot pans off the stove directly into the sink.

Avoid using straight bleach, ammonia, drain blocking chemicals that involve filling sink with water or other caustic solutions. A good rule of thumb is if you wouldn't put it on your skin; don't pour it down your sink.

For stubborn stains, you may use a solution of 50% bleach and 50% water. Let the solution sit at the bottom of the sink for 1 hour, then scrub and rinse well.  You may also try other non-abrasive cleaners such as Soft Scrub, Bar Keepers Friend or vinegar.  Always rinse thoroughly after using any cleaner.

Caring for your new Stainless Steel Sink
Cleaning Guide
Rinsing is the most important part of sink care.   Your stainless steel sink finish will retain its original bright appearance if the sink is rinsed thoroughly after each use.  This can be done by running water from the spray hose for a few minutes.  A rinse and towel drying after each use takes care of most everyday clean ups.  Once a week the sink should be scoured with a mildly abrasive cleanser, rubbing back and forth in the direction of the polish or in a circular motion to remove stubborn stains and greasy film buildups.  This will blend any scratches into the satin finish of the sink.  Rinse thoroughly and wipe dry and your sink will shine like new.

Scratches
Like most metals, your stainless steel sink will scratch.  The featured benefit of the unique satin finish is the ease with which these scratches blend into the uniform finish of the sink.  This is accomplished with a periodic scouring with a mild abrasive SM ScotchBrite pad and cleanser.  To clean your sink, use the mildest cleaning procedure that will do the job effectively.  On the mirror finish deck we recommend using a liquid detergent with a soft cloth.  Do not use any abrasive materials on the mirror finish.  Inside the sink bowl we recommend using a mild abrasive cleanser such as Old Dutch, Comet, or Cameo.  Use a product such as Never-Dull to restore the original luster to your sink.

Discoloration
Wet sponges, clothes, cleaning pads and rubber mats left on the sink can lead to discoloration.  Remove any mats after each use.  Steel wool pads should never be used to clean your sink as they leave small iron particles in the grain lines, which rust and can damage the sink. Continued usage in this manner may eventually lead to the sink itself rusting and pitting.

Knives
Do not use your sink as a cutting surface.  This type of use will lead to deep scratches in the ink finish and will dull your knives.

Chlorides
Chlorides are found in almost all soaps, detergents, bleaches and cleansers.  Chlorides are not friendly to the stainless steel surface.  They should not come in contact with the sink for extended periods.  When these chemicals are used in your sink, it should be thoroughly rinsed.  Chlorine bleach is not recommended, as it will attack the protective layer that makes stainless steel truly stainless.  The risk of damage is proportional to the concentration of the chlorine and duration of exposure.  Exposure can cause rusting and pitting.  Do not allow concentrated liquid detergent to dry in your sink.  Most brands contain chemical additives, which will affect the original high luster finish.