countertop care
1. What Special Care Do Granite Kitchen Countertops Require?
Granite really doesn’t need any special care. Your favorite kitchen cleaners/disinfectants should be fine. You don’t need to buy special products labeled specifically for granite. That’s just someone wanting to make a buck off of you for no advantage to you.
Granite is very scratch resistant. You can slice and dice on granite – although you will dull your straight-edged knives. There are a few scratchable granites. When you’re working with us, I’ll make sure you know if any granite you’re interested in is scratchable.
Nothing from your stovetop, oven or freezer will hurt your granite.
I do have two caveats for the care of your granite. First, don’t hit your granite with a hammer (although it will tolerate it better than tile will). And, second, keep your blowtorch below 1,100 degrees!
2. What About Quartz Countertops?
Pretty much the same as granite, except it’s not as heat resistant. Most quartz brands claim to be somewhat heat resistant, but at what temperature the resins in the quartz will scorch is not well-researched. To be safe, I would simply suggest that you not put cookware from the stove or oven directly on the countertop.
3. Marble, Limestone and Travertine Countertops?
Heat is not an issue with these stones but, for most varieties, scratch-ability is. You also need to keep acidic things away. They will harm the surface. Staining can also be an issue. Even if well sealed, some are prone to absorbing stains. This is why most folks don’t choose these stones for the kitchen, but they can work fine elsewhere.
4. Quartzite Countertops?
Except for the few varieties that aren't scratch-resistant, quartzite is pretty much the same as granite: scratch-resistant, heat-resistant, and stain-resistant.