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Marble Care Granite Surfaces Care Other Solid Surface Care
Marble Surface Care			Return to Top
Marble Countertops Description: Although Marble is a beautiful and durable stone surfaces that is often chosen as a countertop material, a lot of homeowners use marble in only select areas of the kitchen, like bars, islands, and baking areas. Marble Countertops Pros: Marble is tolerant of hot surfaces. It is a gorgeous material that automatically updates the look of any kitchen. Marble is a preferred surface for many bakers because of the ease of rolling out dough and pastries on it's surface. Marble Countertops Cons: Marble is softer and more pourous than granite. This makes it susceptible to scratches, pitting, cracks, stains, and even dulling of the shine. It may take a little more maintenance and upkeep to keep your marble looking nice. Cleaning Marble Countertops: Dust at least once a week with a soft microfiber cloth. For wet cleaning, use a damp cloth and a pH-neutral cleaner designed for stone. Check with your countertop company for their recommendations. Do not use regular cleaning products that can etch the stone surface over time. Never use abrasive cleaners that will damage and dull the finish. Acidic foods like tomatos, citrus fruits, and even our trusty friend vinegar will damage marble. Marble Countertop Regular Maintenance: Seal the countertops regularly. Be sure to reseal when water fails to bead up when splashed on the surface. Sealing will prevent stains and damage and keept the marble countertops looking beautiful. By Sarah Aguirre, About.com Guide
Granite Surface Care			Return to Top
Granite Countertop Description: Granite is a super tough stone that is formed from volcanic magma. Granite has earned a reputation as a great building stone. It ranges in color, but is known for how beautiful it is, expecially as a countertop. Granite Countertop Pros: Granite countertops are beautiful. Each piece is like a unique work of art. Because granite is available in so many colors, homeowneres have many options to chooose from. Granite is also very durable and resists heat. This makes it great for kneading dough, making roll out cookies, and other tasks that need a cool countertop. Granite Countertop Cons: Granite requires regular maintenance. Besides just cleaning your countertops, you'll need to make sure the granite countertops are sealed periodically. Stains on granite can be difficult to remove, but not impossible. Granite countertops can also crack. Cleaning Granite Countertops: To keep granite countertops clean, use a microfiber cloth to dust off countertop surfaces. Wipe down the granite countertops daily and as needed using water. Once a week wipe down with a damp cloth and a stone cleaner formulated with a neutral pH. Never use harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners. They can scratch, pit, and etch the surface of the stone. Regular Maintenance of Granite Countertops: Reseal the countertops when water splashed on the surface no longer beads up. If there are stains or damage, contact a stone-care professional for repair. By Sarah Aguirre, About.com Guide
Other Solid Surface Care			Return to Top
Solid Surface Countertop Description: Solid surface countertops are created by pouring crushed up pieces of stone and acrylics into a mold. Sometimes called "synthetic stone", they are becoming increasingly popular in new home construction and remodeling. Sold under various brand names including Corian, Avonite, and Silestone, these countertops offer a nice option for strength and looks. Solid Surface Countertop Pros: Solid surface countertops come in a huge variety of colors, making it easy for homeowners to find a style they like. Unlike laminate countertops, solid surface types are seamless. Mild abrasives can be used on these countertops. Solid Surface Countertop Cons: Solid surface countertops are not as natural looking as real stone countertops, but great advances are being made in their looks. These countertops can be just as expensive, if not more expensive than their real stone counterparts. Solid Surface Countertop Cleaning: To clean solid surface countertops, use a damp microfiber cloth to wipe down. For more dirty or stained areas, try a mild dish soap and water. Towel dry the surface. Shiny surface countertops can use a liquid mildly abrasive cleaner, while nonshiny (matte) finishes can use baking soda or another mild abrasive cleaner to remove tougher stains. Solid Surface Countertop Maintenance: No regular maintenance is required for solid surface countertops. Really difficult stains or spots may benefit from a solid-surface cleaning spray available at most home stores. By Sarah Aguirre, About.com Guide
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