Your natural stone can provide you with a lifetime of beauty and pleasure, provided it’s properly cared for. Stone is unique – and unlike any other surface it requires special care. Stone is one of the easiest surfaces to maintain. In fact, granite rates as a 7 on the Mohs hardness scale of 1 to 10, making it virtually unscratchable.

Cleaning Practices:

• Blot up spills immediately before they penetrate the surface.
• Clean stone surfaces with a few drops of neutral cleaner or stone soap (available at your local hardware store)
• Use a soft, clean cloth to clean the granite. Rinse after washing with the soap solution and dry with a soft, clean cloth.
• Re-seal the countertop every 9-12 months. Use a non-toxic sealer on food preparation areas. (available at local hardware stores)

For normal cleaning, use a mild soap, water, and non-abrasive cloth. Dry with a non-abrasive cloth. For the first two weeks after installation, clean daily using above method.

Preventing Heat Damage

Corian and Meganite are excellent materials for heat resistance. As with all countertop materials, it is important to use common sense to minimize direct heat exposure to protect your surface and investment. Use heat trivets or hot pads when placing hot objects on any surface and allow cookware to cool before placing them into a Corian or Meganite sink.

Preventing Other Damage

In most cases Corian and Meganite can be repaired if accidentally damaged. However, be sure to follow the guidelines here to prevent any permanent damage to Corian or Meganite.

• Avoid exposing Corian or Meganite to strong chemicals, such as paint removers, oven cleaners, etc. If contact occurs, quickly flush the surface with water.
• Do not cut directly on Corian or Meganite countertops.
• Boiling water alone will not damage your Corian or Meganite sink, however it’s a good practice to run your faucet while pouring boiling water into your sink.

Removing Minor Cuts and Scratches

Because the solid beauty of Corian and Meganite goes all the way through, Corian and Meganite surfaces are completely renewable. You can remove minor cuts and scratches yourself by following these instructions.

• Judge the severity of the scratch and start with the finest grit (Scotch Brite) sanding pad to remove the scratch. (The color of the pads from smoothest to roughest are: White, Yellow, Green, Peach, Lilac, Blue, Gray.) Rub over scratch in a straight line to remove it. Periodically switch rubbing direction 90°. Be sure all of the scratch is removed. If this first step takes too long, try the next heavier grit sanding pad. To minimize dust during sanding, wet the surface. Rinse pad periodically to clean residue.
• Clean top with water. Select next lighter grit and repeat process. Rub over a larger area to blend in sanding.
• Continue process using successively finer grits until desired gloss level is achieved. Rinse out all pads used and air dry before putting them away.

Formatop countertops are very durable, but like any product they can be damaged by abuse, neglect or carelessness. When used and cared for properly, your Formatop countertop will give you years of satisfaction.

Water Damage

Water that is allowed to sit on the countertop for any length of time, especially near miter joints, can penetrate and cause the core to swell and eventually delaminate. Be very careful in areas where sinks, dishwashers, coffee makers or kettles are located on or near a miter joint. To avoid water damage, be sure to wipe off water or other liquids immediately.

Normal Cleaning

In the majority of cases you can clean your Formatop countertop with a clean, damp, non-abrasive cotton cloth and a mild liquid detergent or household cleaner.

Rinse with clean water but do not use excess water, especially near miter joints.
Dry the surface with a clean, soft, non-abrasive cloth.

Special Cleaning

For matte or sculptured finishes.

Use a nylon-bristled hand or vegetable brush along with a mild liquid detergent and water solution, or household cleaner.
Clean the countertop with a rotating motion.
Rinse and dry the top with a clean, soft, cotton cloth.

Glue Removal

Any contact adhesive residue on the countertop should be removed by using a reputable, non-flammable, contact adhesive solvent sparingly. Read and follow all instructions and warnings before use.

Paint and Varnish Removal

Use a suitable solvent but use it sparingly. Excessive amounts can delaminate surface. Follow all warnings and instructions. For water-based paints use an ammoniated household cleaner. For stubborn spots use a plastic, non-metallic, non-abrasive pad. Use it gently. NEVER USE steel wool or other abrasive scouring pads. These will scratch the surface of the laminate.

Stains

To remove or minimize stains use a mild, all-purpose, household cleaner and allow it to draw out stain. Blot with clean, damp, non-abrasive, cotton cloth and rinse with cold water. Read and follow all instructions carefully.

Some things can permanently stain the laminate. Newsprint, marking pens, hair dyes, wood stains and other staining agents should be kept away from the countertop. These stains may be reduced by using a paste of baking soda and water to pull out stain. Do not rub. Wipe up paste with clean, damp, non-abrasive, cotton cloth, then rinse and dry.

Periodic application of a self-cleaning wax can help minimize future staining.

CAUTION

Never use cleaners containing acid, alkali, or sodium hypochlorite on the laminate surface. These will mar, etch, corrode, and permanently discolour the laminate. Do not place bottles or items containing these cleaners on the laminate surface. Examples: Drain cleaners, oven cleaners, ceramic cleaners, coffee pot cleaners, tub and tile cleaners, chlorine bleach, lime scale removers and more.

Scratch and Impact Protection

Under normal use your countertop is very durable, but care should be taken to minimize certain conditions.

Use cutting boards, chopping blocks or other protective elements when working on the countertop. DO NOT chop, slice, pound or hammer directly on the laminate surface. Knives or other sharp utensils can slice or scratch surface. Heavy blows from a hammer or meat tenderizer can crack or gouge surface.

Ceramics and abrasive objects can scratch the surface. Use placemats, doilies or trivets to protect surface.

HOT OBJECTS

Do not place hot objects directly on the countertop. Electric skillets, waffle irons, curling irons, hot rollers etc. can damage the surface. Do not iron or place iron on laminate surface. Avoid cigarette contact.

Prolonged exposure to temperatures of 140 degrees F (60 degrees C) or higher may cause the laminate to separate from the core material.