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| Congratulations on your
purchase of new granite kitchen countertops from Castech, Inc.! | |
| How to care for your new
granite countertops. |  |
| Caring for your granite
countertops: Unlike marble, granite is a relatively hard natural stone. In fact, it is one of the hardest stones you can buy (beware - - you'll break more glasses!). Normal cutting chores can be done directly on your granite countertops. If you accidentally chip the granite, it can be repaired by applying an epoxy that accepts polish. As a natural stone, granite will quickly absorb heat and distribute it. Extremely hot pans should not be placed on narrow areas since there may not be enough granite to evenly distribute the heat. Avoid touching the area of the counter around hot pans since the stone will retain some of that heat. Granite is relatively unaffected by most chemicals. However, harsh, caustic chemicals are not recommended. A neutral, mild, vegetable-oil based cleaner, such as "Murphy's Oil Soap®" is preferable. Do not clean with acidic cleaners, including vinegar or cleaners with lemon or lime on the label. These products will abrade the polish from the stone. Sealers DO NOT protect polished surfaces from these types of cleaners. Synthetic scrubbing pads can be used if necessary. Before using a new cleaning product, test on an inconspicuous area before cleaning visible areas. Clean as often as needed to remove grime and sand. Soil acts as an abrasive and damages the surface. To remove stubborn soil, periodically scrub with a stronger solution of the neutral cleaner. For best results, wipe on a solvent-based sealer, called an "impregnator" with a soft cloth immediately after installation. After applying one coat, wait a day before applying a second coat. The sealer won't make the stone stain-proof, but it will give you extra time to clean up whatever you do spill on the countertop. | |
