Care, Cleaning and Maintenance
Granite is the most durable, long lasting, natural material suitable
for kitchen countertops due to its hardness, heat and scratch resistance's,
and minimal absorption which will provide you with many years of
use with very little aging in the appearance and feel of your countertops.
Under normal use such as general cutting in food preparation, granite
resists scratching better than any other surface. You may also place
hot dishes directly out of the oven onto the countertops without
the fear of damaging your granite countertops.
Natural stones have the characteristic of being porous which simply means water, oils, and chemicals can penetrate it;
therefore granite should be sealed in order to minimize staining. At the time of installation, Picasso Granite & Marble will seal your
countertops with an impregnating sealer. Resealing your countertops is a quick and simple process and should be done
annually. After the countertops are clean and dry, wipe the sealer on the surface with a cloth, allow the sealer to dry
for at least 30 minutes, and you are done. For your convenience the "AKEMI Natural Stone Care Kit" is available for purchase at
Picasso Interiors, Inc. location.
Care and maintenance of your natural stone countertops is very simple and will enhance and lengthen the life of your
countertops. In addition to dusting, you should clean natural stone on a regular basis with warm water and a mild cleanser.
Abrasive cleaners should not be used under any circumstances. Avoid using cleaners with ammonia, bleach, acids, or other
all-purpose cleaners. Any cleaning solution made specifically for natural stone should be used. These cleansers are mild
and do not contain harsh chemicals which can be damaging to natural stone over time.
The build-up of dust, dirt, and sand are abrasive to natural stone. Regularly dusting and/or mopping your natural stone
areas will help prevent scratching from dirt. Placing mats at entryways will also help trap dirt and sand in high traffic areas.
It is important to clean all spills and avoid leaving unwrapped foods on granite surfaces. Using coasters under
glasses, especially if they contain citrus juices or alcohol will also help with the prevention of staining. Use a
paper towel to blot up spills as quickly as possible, and avoid wiping a spill since it will spread the spill. Use a
soft cloth to dry the area completely. If a stain remains, it is important to determine the type of stain since different
types of stains have various removal processes. The most common types of stains are organic (coffee, tea, food, cosmetics),
biological (mold, fungus, mildew), metal (rust), ink (pens, magic markers), and oil (grease, cooking oil).
See our Special Offers for information about stone maintence services offered by Picasso Interiors, Inc.
Please feel free to contact us with any additional concerns you may have with the care of your natural stone countertops.
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