Care and Cleaning Tips

Please note: Solid Surface Tops of Southwest Florida, Inc. is not responsible for any damage that may be caused as a result of the care tips on this page. A qualified professional should used for any maintenance to your surface.

Solid surfaces may be cleaned with warm water and mild soaps, such as those used for hands or dishes. Non-abrasive household cleaners such as Fantastik® and Formula 409® may also be used. Cleaning products containing bleaching agents should not be used on solid surface. Large quantities of these agents and extended periods of exposure may cause discoloration. Abrasive cleaners (such as Comet®, Soft Scrub®, Bon Ami®, etc.) should not be used on solid surface except for removing tough stains, minor scratches and burns.

If a stain develops on the surface, wipe it away with soap and water or glass cleaner. If a stain doesn't respond to soap and water, and your surface has a matte finish, apply an abrasive cleanser and buff with a Scotch-Brite® pad using a circular motion. The same technique can be used for cigarette burns, minor cuts and scratches. For a gloss finish, you should contact dealer or fabricator before attempting repairs.

Do not expose the surface to harsh chemicals, such as paint remover, turpentine, nail polish remover (acetone) or stove and drain cleansers. If these chemicals come in contact with the surface, immediately wash them off with water, using appropriate safety measures to avoid injury.

Always use a cutting board instead of cutting directly on the surface. While minor cuts and scratches can be repaired, care should be taken to prevent them in order to keep the surface looking good as new.

Hot pans and heat-producing appliances (frying pans, baking pans, electric skillets, crock-pots, coffee pots, etc.) must be placed on a trivet with legs.

Why your stone is so prone to staining
Most surfaces materials are porous. Some very dense stones such granite are often thought to be impervious to liquids, but leaving a tablespoon of oil on a granite countertop for a couple of hours will almost certainly leave a very deep oil stain. The oil is literally sucked into the material through millions of microscopic pores or capillaries.

Why your stone is so prone to staining
Most surfaces materials are porous. Some very dense stones such granite are often thought to be impervious to liquids, but leaving a tablespoon of oil on a granite countertop for a couple of hours will almost certainly leave a very deep oil stain. The oil is literally sucked into the material through millions of microscopic pores or capillaries. Sealing with STAIN-PROOF™, our invisible, breathe-able impregnating sealer will make a deep water and oil-repellent barrier within the surface which will permanently solve this problem and make it easier to clean and maintain the surface.

Tips for removing stains
Most stains can be removed using standard household products. If the stain is particularly difficult to handle, a commercial stain remover can be used. Stains of every kind can affect tiles and grout joints. The lists that follows provides some of the most common staining problems and potential solutions. Removers should never be mixed together as harmful by-products may result.

Precautions:
With any harsh cleaning product (acidic or alkaline), test the product on a small area of the surface, at least 24 hours beforehand, to ensure it won't discolor or adversely affect the surface. Avoid using acidic substances on calcite based stone, including marble, limestone and travertine - these will be damaged immediately on contact with acids. After using an acidic cleaner, the surface should be neutralized with a mild alkaline solution - some baking soda or detergent dissolved in water should do the trick, then rinsed thoroughly with clean water and left to dry before attempting to seal., our invisible, breathe-able impregnating sealer will make a deep water and oil-repellent barrier within the surface which will permanently solve this problem and make it easier to clean and maintain the surface.

PROBLEM / REMOVER(S)
Blood: Baking soda, bleach, hydrogen peroxide
Chewing gum: Ice cubes, paint remover
Coffee: Baking soda, bleach, household cleaners, hydrogen peroxide
Dyes & Animal Droppings: Bleach
Fats: Detergent, sal soda
Fruit juices: Baking soda, bleach, household cleaners, hydrogen peroxide, oxalic acid
Grease: Detergent, plaster of paris, sal soda
Ink: Baking soda, bleach
Iodine: Ammonia
Lipstick: Bleach, household cleaners, hydrogen peroxide
Mildew: Ammonia, baking soda, bleach
Motor oil: Plaster of paris
Mustard: Bleach
Nail polish: Bleach, nail polish remover
Paint: Paint remover
Rust: Baking soda, scouring powders
Tar: Ice cubes, paint remover
Tea: Bleach, household cleaners, hydrogen peroxide
Tough stains: Oxalic acid
Vegetable oil: Baking soda, detergent
Water/mineral stains: White vinegar
Wax: Ice cubes, paint remover
Wet paper: Bleach
Wine: Baking soda

Poultice cleaning method for marble surfaces
A Poultice is a cleaning method used to get the best performance out of cleaning agents possible. It helps remove tough staining such as fat, grease, oil, and other stains such as coffee, tea, cola, or organically based dyes. For the poultice to work correctly it must be left on the surface for at least 24 hours. The theory behind the method is that the cleaning agent needs this time to draw out the stain. When using this solution always use a test piece of material first to ensure there are no adverse effects.

Directions for general cleaning of marble (dirt, grime): To clean general dirt and grime off marble simply use a cleaning agent such as a diluted bleach with water and clean the surface with a mop, cloth or sponge and rinse with clean water.

Directions for cleaning tough stains (fat, grease, oil, or similar): Use a powder based detergent and water to form a paste, place onto surface over the affected area and cover with a clean damp cloth. Then apply a plastic sheet over it and tape the sides to ensure no moisture is released. Leave for at least 24 hours then gently scrape off the agent using a rubber scraper, clean water and a dry clean cloth. Once the area has been cleaned you can polish it with a dry clean towel.

Directions for cleaning other stains (coffee, tea, and cola organically based dyes or similar): When using a poultice to clean different stains from surfaces the method remains the same, what changes is the cleaning agent used. Soak a handful of paper towel in a mixture of 20-30 per cent regular household bleach (e.g. White King) with clean water. Apply the bleached soaked paper to the affected area then apply a damp clean cloth followed by a plastic sheet to cover the entire area, tape the sides not to let any moisture out. This poultice should be in place for a minimum of 12 hours to two days. When checking the stain remove plastic sheet and lift a corner of the paper, if the desired result is not reached repeat the process for approximately one to 12 hours. When finished wash the area with clean water and dry and polish with a dry clean towel.

Before using a poultice always perform a test on an area or sample piece of marble to ensure there are no adverse effects. In some instances it may cause discoloration of surface.