Seal your stone annually using a natural stone sealer (available at any hardware stores) to help protect it from stains and fading. A good quality marble wax can be applied to minimize water spotting. Sealer & wax is not required for the quartz surface.

Use coasters under all glasses, particularly those containing alcohol or citrus juices. Many common foods and drinks contain acids that will etch or dull the stone surface.

Do not place hot items, use coasters directly on the stone surface. Use trivets or mats under hot dishes and placemats under china, ceramics, silver or other objects that can scratch the surface.

Countertop. Clean stone surfaces with a few drops of neutral cleaner, stone soap (available at hardware stores) or a mild liquid dishwashing detergent and warm water. Use a clean soft cloth for the best results. Too much cleaner or soap may leave a film and cause streaks. Do not use products that contain lemon, vinegar or other acids on marble or limestone. Rinse the surface thoroughly after washing with the soap solution and dry with a soft cloth. Change the rinse water frequently. Do not use scouring powders or creams; these products contain abrasives that may scratch the surface.

Floor. Dust mop interior floors frequently using a clean non-treated dry dust mop. Sand, dirt and grit do the most damage to natural stone surfaces due to their abrasiveness. Mats or area rugs inside and outside an entrance will help to minimize the sand, dirt and grit that will scratch the stone floor. Be sure that the underside of the mat or rug is a non-slip surface. Normally, it will take a person about eight steps on a floor surface to remove sand or dirt from the bottom of their shoes. Do not use vacuum cleaners that are worn. The metal or plastic attachments or the wheels may scratch the surface.

Bath & other wet area. In the bath or other wet areas, soap scum can be minimized by using a squeegee after each use. To remove soap scum, use a non-acidic soap scum remover or a solution of ammonia and water (about 1/2 cup ammonia to a gallon of water). Frequent or over-use of an ammonia solution may eventually dull the surface of the stone.

Outdoor pool & patio area. In outdoor pool, patio or hot tub areas flush with clear water and use a mild bleach solution to remove algae or moss.

What not to do! Do not use any abrasive sponge pads, wire brushes or Steel Wool. Cleaners containing Chloride are not recommended, as these products will dull and tarnish the finish.

Surface rust & stains: Stainless steel does not rust. FLITZ & BAR KEEPERS FRIEND is all effective at removing “surface” residue such as: tarnish, rust, lime deposits & hard water stains.

Scratches: Scratches are inevitable in any sink material, including stainless steel. Over time, these scratches will become uniform with the sink’s grain. For severe scratches, secure a pumice-rubbing compound from a hardware store, and follow the directions on the package.

Porcelain sinks Care & Maintenance

Clean using products such as hand dishwashing liquid or an all-purpose cleaner. Use mild abrasives only when necessary — a white nylon-colored pad and a cleanser such as Bon Ami or Soft Scrub should be sufficient to clean up stubborn soils and most spots. Harsh pads and cleansers applied with excessive pressure can permanently scratch porcelain. Porcelain roughened in this way will be harder to keep clean in the future. A true China sink can be cracked easily, just like a toilet bowl, so avoid dropping heavy or sharp items into a bathroom sink made of porcelain. Fragile porcelain sinks generally aren’t installed in kitchens. See the entry for enameled steel instead.

To learn more about care and maintenance, go to: www.housekeepingchannel.com