Whether it be for natural stones (granite, marble, quartzite or soapstone) or for quartz & ultra-compact surfaces, all you need to maintain your stone’s beauty is :
The important aspect to remember is to avoid using the same cloth for your countertop than the one used to clean dishes, and avoid using the left over dishwater, which is contaminated with oily ingredients. You will therefore avoid oily residue buildup over time. Now that you know the secret to keep your surfaces clean, here are a few expert tips to adddress the tough residues depending on your countertop material :
GRANITE
TO SEAL OR NOT TO SEAL – that is the question
If you chose a granite that is treated with our exclusive prolonged action GDGuard™ treatment, your surface will be protected against food & beverage stains with a 15-year warranty. You do not need to apply a sealer after installation. If you did not, we recommend to apply a sealer ever 6 to 12 months. You can purchase our professional grade Stone Care Kit with impregnator by contacting our team!
YOU NOTICE A STAIN ON YOUR SURFACE – what to do?
RED WINE : pour the product “Red Wine Stain Remover” on the area and follow the instructions on the package. Rinse and dry completely with a clean microfiber cloth. If the situation persists, repeat but with Peroxyde Vol. 40. Let sit 2 hours (or more). Rinse and dry completely with a clean microfiber cloth.
OILS & FATS : mix baking soda and water to create a paste. Spread on stain, about 1/4 inch thick. Cover with plastic wrap, and seal edges with green paint tape. Leave on for 24 to 48 hours. If the situation is resolved, apply a sealer. If it persists, consult our experts.
ORGANIC SOURCES (coffee, fruit, etc.): cover the area with a paper towel, exceeding the zone about 1 inch all around. Pour a 50/50 dilution of bleach and water on the paper towel. Cover with a plastic wrap and seal the edges with painting tape. Let sit 24 hours. Remove and rinse thoroughly. Let evaporate (2 to 3 days). If the situation persists, use the method for red wines.
METALLIC SOURCES (rust, limestone, caused by hard water, etc.): prepare the area in the same was as Organic Sources, but instead of bleach, use CLR. Cover the paper towel with plastic wrap but DO NOT seal the edges. Let sit 1 hour, rinse with hot water. Then, use a magic eraser soaked with CLR, scrub the area in circular motions with light pressure. Rinse with hot water, dry completely with clean microfiber cloth.
AVOID : any abrasive or acid product. Do not use wax or any other polishing product.
QUARTZ
TO SEAL OR NOT TO SEAL – that is the question
NEVER use any sealer or polishing product. Always use trivets (specially under slow-cookers) and cutting boards to avoid thermal shocks & scratches.
YOU NOTICE A STAIN ON YOUR SURFACE – what to do?
ORGANIC SOURCES (food colouring, herbs, spices, wine, mustard, coffee, etc.) : spray the surface with Original Windex. Let sit a 5 mintes or more without letting the product dry (lightly spray surface if needed). Rinse and dry completely with clean microfiber cloth.
METALLIC SOURCES (belt buckle scuffs on edge, pots & pan scuffs on surface) : cover the area with a paper towl, exceeding the zone by about 1 inch all around. Pour a bit of CLR on the paper towel. Cover with plastic wrap WITHOUT sealing the edges. Let site 2 hours (or more). Scrub the surface with a microfiber cloth that is moistened with CLR. Rinse, then dry completely with clean microfiber cloth. Repeat as needed.
LIMESTONE (hard water stains): remove the rough residue on the surface using a new flat blade. Pour CLR on the area being careful of not splashing surrounding walls, faucets, etc. Let sit 2 hours or more. Rinse thoroughly and dry completely with clean microfiber cloth. Repeat if needed.
OILS & FATS : apply using a wet sponge Comet Cream with bleach, WITHOUT SCRUBBING. Let sit up to 20 minutes without letting it dry (keep moist with the sponge or by spraying the surface with water). Gently remove the product with a wet sponge until the residue/deposit disappears. Rinse and dry completely with clean soft cloth. Repeat if needed.
AVOID : metal scrubbing sponges, degreasing agents, exposure to chlorine-based products, products with hydrofluoric acid, oven cleaners, nail polish remover, or any other product with pH levels superior to 10. Avoid exposure to UV rays and heat. Always use trivets and cutting boards.
MARBLE & QUARTZITE
TO SEAL OR NOT TO SEAL – that is the question
For quartzite, if you chose our exclusive long-lasting GDGuard™ treatment, your surface will be protected against food & beverage stains with a 15-year warranty. You do not need to reapply sealers after installation. For marbles, the treatment will not be warrantied, but it greatly helps the surface to increase its resistance to food & beverage stains. You must still think of wiping the surface clean rapidly with this material that is more sensitive to stains & etching.
YOU NOTICE A STAIN ON YOUR SURFACE – what to do?
RED WINE: pour the product “Red Wine Stain Remover” on the area, and follow the instructions on the package. Rinse thoroughly and dry completely with clean microfiber cloth. *
OILS & FATS : mix baking soda and water to create a paste. Spread on area about 1/4 inch thick. Cover with plastic wrap and seal edges with green paint tape. Leave on for 24 to 48 hours. If it disappears, apply a sealer. If it persists, repeat the process again, or consult our experts*
AVOID : any abrasive or acidic product, vinegars, bleachers, as well as items that can scractch the surface.
*WARNING: for polished finishes, these actions can alter the surfaces finish and create etching. A repolishing may be required.
ULTRA-COMPACT SURFACES
TO SEAL OR NOT TO SEAL – that is the question
NEVER use any sealer or polishing product.
YOU NOTICE A STAIN ON YOUR SURFACE – what to do?
ORGANIC SOURCES (food colouring, herbs, spices, wine, mustard, coffee, etc.) : spray the surface with Vim Actifizz. Let sit up to 5 minutes, rinse then dry with clean soft cloth.
METALLIC SOURCES (belt buckle scuffs on edge, pots & pan scuffs on surface) : cover the area with a paper towel, exceeding the zone by about 1 inch all around. Pour a bit of CLR on the paper towel. Cover with a plastic wrap WITHOUT sealing the edges. Let sit 2 hours or more. Scrub the surface with a microfiber cloth that is moistened with CLR. Rinse, then dry completely with a clean microfiber cloth. Repeat as needed.
LIMESTONE (hard water stains): remove the rough residue on the surface using a new flat blade. Pour CLR on the area being careful of not splashing surrounding walls, faucets, etc. Let sit 2 hours or more. Rinse thoroughly and dry completely with a clean microfiber cloth. Repeat if needed.
OILS & FATS : use an alkaline product (ammonia, etc.)
AVOID : shocks on certain more sensitive areas (corners, edge profiles, sink contours), direct contact with metal (grills, etc.), metal scrubbing pads, direct contact with fire.
SOAPSTONE
TO SEAL OR NOT TO SEAL – that is the question
NEVER use any sealer or polishing product. This material is non-porous, therefore has its own built-in stain protection. A mineral oil or wax/paste can be applied to enhance the stone’s rich colours, to be used at the customer’s discretion.
YOU NOTICE A STAIN ON YOUR SURFACE – what to do?
ORGANIC SOURCE (wine, food colouring, spices, coffee, etc.) : elements left on the counter can create residues. These are not stains, as the residue will not penetrate the stone. To adresse most common residue, use a gentle soap and warm water. With a sponge, scrub the surface with soapy water until it suds. Rinse the sponge and wipe the surface. Finish with a soft clean damp cloth and wipe the surface to remove all of the soapy water. Repeat as needed.
TOUGH RESIDUES: apply in a circular motion some Comet Cream with bleach using a wet rag. Let it sit 5 to 10 minutes. Rinse thoroughly. Dry using a clean cotton cloth.
AVOID : prolonged exposure to chemical products and objects that can scratch the surface.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to one of our agents through our online Chat! They can help you, or guide you with the process of scheduling an after-sales service call!