Make it Last.
When properly cared for, your natural or engineered stone countertop will retain its beauty for years. At Capital Granite, we explain proper stone care and maintenance before you select your piece, so you fully understand how to make your material last. We’ll talk about your lifestyle, where you will use the stone, and offer recommendations for what stone will best meet your needs.
If you ever have questions regarding the care of your stone, please contact us and we’ll be happy to guide you in the right direction.
Shop our collection of products below. For care and maintenance specific to your material, please visit our Materials page.
GRANITE
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Granite is highly heat, acid, and scratch resistant making it low maintenance and an extremely durable material selection.
While heat will not damage granite, we recommend using hot pads or trivets when setting hot items on granite surfaces. Also, be sure to use cutting boards – cutting directly on granite will dull your knives.
Capital Granite triple seals natural stone before installation, and we recommend resealing all natural stones at some point, although frequency can vary between materials. Most granites can go several years without needing to be re-sealed. See “The Water Test” on this page for how to tell if your natural stone needs resealing.
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Natural stone is porous and susceptible to discoloration from liquids – spills should be cleaned up quickly to avoid stains. Blot spills as opposed to wiping them, and always use coasters to avoid rings and water spots.
Use a mild soap (i.e. dishwashing liquid) and a damp cloth/sponge for routine cleanups. Avoid abrasive cleaners and harsh chemicals.
We recommend More Stone & Quartz Cleaner + Protector for daily cleaning and Capital Granite 3-in-1 Spray Wax for monthly cleaning.
QUARTZ
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Engineered quartz is highly scratch and acid resistant with normal daily use, making it a low-maintenance and durable material selection, but it is not impervious to damage caused by chemicals, dyes, and abrasive particles.
Quartz is susceptible to high heat due to the plastic resins used in the production process, and the level of heat resistance depends on the manufacturer. Placing hot items on quartz surfaces can scorch the resins resulting in burn marks, discoloration, and/or cracking. Always use hot pads or trivets when setting hot items on quartz countertops, and use cutting boards to avoid direct contact between knife and countertop.
Because quartz has low porosity, it does not require resealing.
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Quartz has very low porosity so liquids will not absorb into the surface as with a natural stone, however, spills should still be cleaned up promptly. Always use coasters to avoid rings and water spots.
Use a mild soap (i.e., dishwashing liquid) and a damp cloth/sponge for routine clean-ups. Avoid abrasive cleansers and harsh chemicals.
We recommend More Stone & Quartz Cleaner + Protector for daily cleaning.
QUARTZITE
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Quartzite is highly heat, acid, and scratch resistant, however, hardness, durability, and maintenance level can vary between stones.
We recommend using hot pads or trivets when setting hot items on quartzite surfaces and using cutting boards to avoid direct contact between knife and countertop.
Capital Granite triple seals natural stone before installation, and we recommend resealing all natural stones at some point, although frequency can vary between materials. See “The Water Test” on this page for how to tell if your natural stone needs resealing.
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Natural stone is porous and susceptible to discoloration from liquids – spills should be cleaned up quickly to avoid stains. Blot spills as opposed to wiping them, and always use coasters to avoid rings and water spots.
Use a mild soap (i.e. dishwashing liquid) and a damp cloth/sponge for routine cleanups. Avoid abrasive cleaners and harsh chemicals.
We recommend More Stone & Quartz Cleaner + Protector for daily cleaning and Capital Granite 3-in-1 Spray Wax for monthly cleaning.
MARBLE
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Marble is heat resistant, however, it is the softest and most porous material selection. It can be easily scratched by kitchen utensils and etched or stained by household acids (lemon juice, tomato juice, vinegar, etc.).
We recommend using hot pads or trivets when setting hot items on marble surfaces and using cutting boards to avoid direct contact between knife and countertop.
Capital Granite triple seals natural stones before installation, and we recommend resealing all natural stones at some point. Marble typically requires frequent resealing due to its high porosity, however, sealers will only reduce porosity, not eliminate the vulnerability of marble. See “The Water Test” on this page for how to tell if your natural stone needs resealing.
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Marble is the softest and most porous material selection with a tendency to absorb spills making it highly susceptible to discoloration from liquids – spills should be cleaned up quickly to avoid stains. Blot spills as opposed to wiping them, and always use coasters to avoid rings and water spots.
Use a mild soap (i.e. dishwashing liquid) and a damp cloth/sponge for routine cleanups. Avoid abrasive cleaners and harsh chemicals.
We recommend More Stone & Quartz Cleaner + Protector for daily cleaning and Capital Granite 3-in-1 Spray Wax for monthly cleaning.
PORCELAIN
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Porcelain is highly heat, acid, scratch, and stain resistant with normal daily use making it low maintenance and an extremely durable material selection.
We recommend using hot pads or trivets when setting hot items on porcelain surfaces and using cutting boards to avoid direct contact between knife and countertop, particularly ceramic knives.
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Porcelain has very low porosity so liquids are not likely to absorb into the surface as with a natural stone, however, spills should still be cleaned up promptly. Always use coasters to avoid rings and water spots.
Use a mild soap (i.e., dishwashing liquid) and a microfiber cloth or soft sponge for routine clean-ups. Avoid abrasive cleansers and harsh chemicals.
We recommend More Stone & Quartz Cleaner + Protector for daily cleaning. Zep, glass cleaner, or one part vinegar to ten parts water can also be used for regular cleaning.*
*See manufacturer guidelines on cleaning and maintenance for brand specific recommendations.
shop our care and cleaning Supplies and products
The Water Test
HOW TO TELL IF YOUR NATURAL STONE COUNTERTOPS NEED RESEALING
Resealing frequency can vary greatly between materials. Natural stone can go anywhere from 3-10 years (or longer) without needing a reseal, whereas most quartz products never need to be resealed.
Generally speaking, an easy way to determine if your sealer is performing would be to apply a drop of water at least 1-inch in diameter to the top of the stone and let it sit for 10-15 minutes. Cover the area with a glass to inhibit evaporation. Wipe away water with a dry cloth. If there is rapid absorption and a darkening of the stone, it is time to re-apply a sealer.
Our Standard Warranty
We stand behind our craftsmanship. If you have questions or concerns about the quality of your stone surface, please see our warranty information.
Repairs
While imperfections and striations are normal and to be expected within natural stone surfaces, you may encounter an issue that needs a technician’s attention. We service all types of repairs but commonly engage with some more than others. These repairs can range from remedying large chips, cracks and/or pits not caused by a natural imperfection to course-correcting stains, scratches, and certain discolorations that occur outside of the natural characteristics of the stone. Any issues with caulk or seams should also be attended to.
Our repair work also involves preventative maintenance such as the cleaning and resealing of your countertops. And if you ever find yourself wanting to add an additional faucet, RO, or air switch hole, we can easily drill those for you onsite at any time.
If you’re ever in question on whether or not a potential issue should be looked at, please give us a call or fill out the repair request form below. We want your surfaces to maintain the longevity they’re designed to hold, so we’re happy to assess any problematic area that you are concerned with.