EXQUISITE COUNTERTOPS WITH ELEGANCE AND DURABILITY BEYOND EXPECTATION / Natural Stone Slabs
Granite Marble Limestone Travertine Soapstone
Certified Engineered Slab Quartz Fabricator
Caesarstone Chroma Hanstone Quantra Radianz/Starron Silestone Viatera Zodiaq
STONE CARE COMMON QUESTIONS
WHAT ARE THE GUIDELINES FOR MAINTAINING AND CARING FOR NATURAL STONE?
Use only products approved for use on stone. For daily cleaning, mild dish soap and warm water works well.
Infinity Countertops also recommends Stone Tech Professional - Revitalizer, a concentrated neutral cleaner for all natural stone surfaces, which cleans the stone and reinforces the sealant protection. When ‘Revitalizer’ is used – the time intervals will extend the need to reseal.
Never use acids, furniture polish, vinegar, oil based products or bleach/chlorine to clean your stone. Household cleaners should be “PH” neutral (PH-7) products that contain no abrasives or harsh cleansers with ammonia, bleach, or products designed to remove lime or calcium as they may damage the stone. Avoid allowing acidic or colored liquids to stand for long periods of time (i.e. red wines, after shave, orange juice, cooking oil, etc.) Also avoid using oil based plumbers putty around faucets, candles or wax paper, as these may stain the stone.
During fabrication and again at installation, Stone Tech Professional – Impregnator Pro (solvent based stain resistant sealer) is applied twice by Infinity Countertops to your natural stone. This sealer is water based and is a clear liquid penetrating stain inhibitor that forms a protective barrier resistant to moisture and stain. Since stone varies in density and porosity, we recommend additional applications may be required, especially on lighter colored stones as they have higher level of porosity. Reapplication over time is necessary - frequency depends on use of the countertop.
WHERE CAN STONE CARE PRODUCTS BE PURCHASED?
Impregnator Pro Stone Sealer, Revitalizer and other Stone Tech Professional stone care products may be purchased through Infinity Countertops Inc. or Intrepid Marble & Granite. Data sheets for these products are available on request or information can be found at http://www2.dupont.com/Stone_Tech_Professional/en_US/assets/downloads/impregnator_pro_aug2009.pdf. Miracle Sealants is a comparable stone care product line available at Oregon Tile & Marble. Products considered for use other than those listed should be tested for suitability prior to use on stone. It is also not advisable to mix products.
IS THERE DIFFERENT CARE FOR DIFFERENT TYPES OF STONE?
GRANITE is durable and highly resistant to damage. Food substances, personal hygiene products, knives, and water used in normal kitchen and bath activities are not a risk to granite. All finishes only need to be cleaned with warm soapy water however the non glossy. If a non glossy finish is elected – it is equally durable – except they have a tendency to show finger prints and if not properly sealed the pores are more open and may absorb food that could stain. We recommend being diligent about cleaning up spills immediately, especially when oily substances have been spilt on the non-glossy finish. It is wise to use preventive habits for daily routine. Should stains appear, they generally can be removed with stone care products. Reapplication of sealer will be necessary in time, which is an easy process – frequency depends on use of the countertop
ENGINEERED QUARTZ is durable and highly resistant to damage. Quartz products do not require any care other than warm soapy water. Use a no scratch scrub pad with Soft Scrub Gel generally will remove any areas that appear to be stained. (Please refer to the warranty and additional care information on-line –each project needs to be registered to activate warranty).
Recommended care for Honed Quartz: Use Soft Scrub Gel (no abrasive with a white Scotchbrite (softest) pad. .
MARBLE, LIMESTONE, TRAVERTINE, SANDSTONE ONYX, SLATE AND SOAPSTONE are softer and more porous than granite or quartz. These stones require more care, maintenance and periodic applications of the Stone Technology Impregnator Pro Sealer. It is important to wipe up all spills immediately. Never use oil based products, candles, acids, vinegar, or chlorine bleach. Be careful with acidic foods, (lemon, tomatoes etc.) and non-alkaline cleansers as they will etch and discolor the stone over time. Extra care (similar to caring for a fine piece of wood furniture) should also be taken to prevent scratching from sliding sharp objects or abrasive cleaners across the surfaces. Many people choose to treat Soapstone with mineral oil, whereby a sealer should not be used on Soapstone as it will inhibit the stone from absorbing the oil.
WHICH STONE BESTS PREVENTS BACTERIA ABSORPTION?
Granite is listed in the best surfaces list (after cleaning and sanitizing) in the reduction of E Coli bacteria. The Hospitality Institute of Technology and Management produced this report and is available upon request.
The Engineered Quartz Products, Caesarstone, Hanstone, VG-Viatera, Silestone, Staron, Pental - Engineered Quartz have all received the NSF - Public Health and Safety Certification.
Prepared for your information by Infinity Countertops, Inc.`
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7805 N.E. Halsey St. ¨ Portland, OR 97213 ¨ Office (503) 287-6877 ¨ Fax (503) 287-6431
www.infinitycountertops.com ¨ OR. CCB# 192646 ¨ WA CCB INFINICI884PZ ¨ LICENSED & BONDED