Additionally, the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, as well as the Hospitality Industry, give granite a clean bill of health. In a recent study, granite countertops provided the greatest reduction in bacteria count of all materials tested. Six countertop surfaces were contaminated with E.Coli bacteria, then washed and rinsed using dish soap and “normal and reasonable” cleaning practices.
(*Source: “The Reduction of E.coli on Various countertop Surfaces”, by Dr.O.Peter Snyder, Jr., PH.D., of the Hospitality Institute of Technology and Management, March 1999)
From what we know, there are two ways in which countertops, tiles and other finishes made of granite might emit any level of radiation. The first is by the release of tiny amounts of the radioactive gas radon which can be inhaled. The second is by direct radiation from the surface itself to the homeowner. In both cases the radiation emitted is from the same process – natural radioactive decay of one element into another.Compared to other radiation sources in the home and outside, the risk to the homeowner from radioactivity remitted from a granite countertop or tiles is practically non-existent. In fact, the amount of radon gas emitted by a granite countertop is less than one millionth of that already present in the household air from other sources. If you have further questions about radon and granite, contact the Marble Institute of American at 440-250-9222, send an email to [email protected] , or visit www.marble-institute.com.
Care and maintenance of natural stone is very easy – simply wipe with warm water and a little mild soap. Do not use chemicals that may affect the high polish of the stone. Due to the natural porosity of granite, the surface my be susceptible to damage from certain liquids such as grease, oil, and citric acids when left for abnormal periods of time.
Don’t use vinegar, lemon juice or other cleaners containing acids.
Don’t use cleaners that contain acid such as bathroom cleaners, grout cleaners or tub & tile cleaners.
Don’t use abrasive cleaners such as dry cleansers or soft cleansers.
Do not stand, sit or walk on your granite countertops
Marble is a sedimentary stone whose main ingredient is calcium. It comes in beautiful colors and patterns and is very elegant and beautiful. Like granite, it is individually chosen by slabs due to the variation in colors and patterns. It is softer and more fragile than granite. It is a porous material that stains very easily, and may contain pits and fissures. It is best suited for bath vanities and some tabletop projects. Quartz and marble are usually more expensive than many granite choices. We are an authorized Quartz fabricator for Silestone, Caesarstone, and Cambria.
You’ll need to select a cleaning solution that is made specifically for cleaning marble. Most regular household cleaners contain acid, which can damage the finish. Cleaners with citric acid must be avoided. Neutral cleaners, such as phosphate-free solutions or dishwashing liquids, will work in a pinch. The trick to using any cleaning agent on your countertop is to rinse the soap off immediately with warm water to avoid drying out the marble.
If your marble countertop is stained, you may need to choose between living with the stain and living with an etched surface, as most cleaners that can do the job will also do some damage to the finish. For stains from oils in foods, spread dry corn starch over the stain and let it sit for 24 hours. This should absorb most of the oil from the stain.
To remove adhered material such as food, gum, nail polish or even dried paint, first scrape away excess material with a plastic putty knife and then use a damp cloth to remove any marks or residual dirt.
For extra-stubborn stains, a no-scratch Scotch-Brite® pad is recommended along with the non-abrasive cleaner recommended by your local quartz distributor.