While your kitchen countertops are beautiful, they offer more than just looks. If you only installed them to be seen but not touched, you’re not getting half as much out of them as you should.
While stone countertops are durable, sometimes scratches are inevitable. Even the most careful person might end up scratching their countertop.
Some people like seeing scratches on the surface of their countertops. To them, it shows that the countertop has life and a personality. But others aren’t so crazy about the marks because they think it diminishes the radiance of the stone. No matter your position on scratches, this article explains how to get rid of them.
You asked the question: Will anything scratch my kitchen countertops? And the answer is yes. While some materials are easier to scratch than others (marble is somewhat easy, and granite is pretty difficult to scratch, for example), it’s possible for any type of stone material to sustain scratches.
But scratches aren’t the end of the world. We’ll tell you just what to do when you encounter them.
Repairing Marble Countertops
Since marble is a decently soft and porous stone, it sustains scratches easier than many other materials. While deep scratches should be tended to by a professional, you might be able to handle remedying light scratches on the marble’s surface.
If you notice a minor scratch, you’ll need fine-grit sandpaper or steel wool. Using your tool, buff the area as gently as you can—be gentle so you don’t add more scratches to the one you’re trying to make disappear!
Once the area has been evened out, rinse away the leftover mineral with a bit of water and follow with a good marble sealant.
Repairing Quartz Countertops
Quartz countertops are by no means easy to scratch, but it’s not impossible to do so. Luckily, if you do end up scratching your quartz, the surface is easy to repair.
Quartz is made up of stone pieces and resins that bind the stone pieces together. To make a repair for scratches, nicks, and pits, use a special epoxy resin that’s made exactly for this reason. Fill in the crack with clear or colored epoxy resin and let it sit for at least twenty-four hours. If you see any excess after you’ve filled the scratch/nick/pit, use a razor blade to smooth it out.
If you come across damage that a simple fix won’t repair, don’t hesitate to call Legacy Tile & Granite.
Repairing Granite Countertops
Granite is very tough and unlikely to scratch. But as with quartz, it’s not impossible.
As with marble, you can use fine-grit sandpaper or steel wool to buff the scratch out gently. After you buff it, apply two coats of sealant—just make sure to let the first coat dry before you put the second one on, and that takes about forty-eight hours.
You should only attempt to repair scratches on your granite countertop if the scratch is barely noticeable and quite minor. If you’re not sure you can do it yourself, or if the scratch is in a very conspicuous place, give us a call.
Avoiding Scratches
Even though you now know how to repair scratches on your stone countertop, it’s also beneficial to know how to keep them from happening. Here are a few tips to avoid scratches:
- Always use a cutting board and avoid spilling juice or oil off of it (especially on marble surfaces).
- Use coasters under everything.
- Place heavy pots on trivets or towels and pick them up, never slide them across the counter.
- Avoid abrasive cleaning materials and stick with gentle soap and water.
- Keep up with regular maintenance and sealing routines.
- Always contact a professional for major scratches and other such damage.
Maintaining Your Countertop
At Legacy Tile & Granite, we want to make sure your countertop looks as good as the day you had it installed. Always remember that it’s possible for your kitchen countertop to be scratched, but repairs are usually simple.
Get in touch with us today if your countertop has sustained major damage, or to learn more.