Resources

Product Care Recommendations

• Countertops

  Quartz

  • Cleaning quartz is easy - simply wash with mild soap, water, and a soft cloth or a paper towel

  • Do not use abrasive, strong alkaline, acid, free radicals, oxidizers, or types of cleaners 

  • Quartz is not heat proof, chemical proof, or fracture proof

  • Do not use or expose your quartz surface to bleach, oven cleaners, Comet^®, Soft Scrub^®, S.O.S.^®, products with pumice, batteries, paint removers, furniture strippers, tarnish or silver cleaners, or the like

  • Do not use abrasive or harsh scrub pads

  • Do not apply any sealers, penetrants, or topical treatments

   

  Additional care guidance may be available through the product manufacturer. Please feel free to contact our team directly for additional assistance.

   

  Granite

  • For granite surfaces, simply wash with mild soap, water, and a soft cloth or a paper towel

  • You can also use a specified granite cleaner, but check with your installer first for what they recommend

  • Here is a list of recommended natural granite cleaners 

  • For soap stones or porous granite, your installer should be sealing the surface annually (in most cases)

  • Because every stone varies, the frequency of how often your granite will need to be sealed will vary

   

  Additional care guidance may be available through the product manufacturer. Please feel free to contact our team directly for additional assistance.

   

  Laminate

  • Simply wash with mild soap and water or a recommended household cleaner and a soft cloth or paper towel

  • Use enough water to properly clean and rinse without saturating the countertop for a long period of time

  • For tough, dried food or grease, gently scrub using a sponge/fiber pad and mild soap

  • Do not clean with powdered cleaners, scouring pads, steel wool or scrub brushes

  • Do not wash laminate countertops with bleach or cleaners containing bleach, as it can discolor the surface

   

  Additional care guidance may be available through the product manufacturer. Please feel free to contact our team directly for additional assistance.

   

  Butcher Block

  First, it's important to know whether your butcher block counter tops are natural (used to cut on) or stained and sealed.

  For natural butcher block care:

  • Use a few drops of dish soap and a wet sponge to give the surface a good scrub

  • Then, pour white vinegar onto a clean dish towel, and wipe the entire counter down to disinfect it

  • After the vinegar wash has dried, mix 1 cup lemon juice with a 1/2 cup salt and rub the salt and juice paste onto the counter (this will help remove any spots in the butcher block and will further disinfect the surface)

  • Once the area has dried, wipe away the rest of the salt using a clean dish towel

   

  There are a few factors that will determine how often you need to condition your butcher block countertops, but a good general rule would be to oil your countertops once every month or two, or any time they look dry. To oil your butcher block, follow these steps:

  • Remove everything from your countertops and wipe them with a damp cloth

  • Scrape the surface with a dough scraper to remove anything stuck on the surface

  • Wipe counter clean with a cloth

  • Run your hand over the counter to make sure it's completely free of grit or guck

  • Pour mineral oil directly onto the counter and rub it around the entire surface with a lint free cloth

  • Allow the mineral oil to absorb (this could take as little as an hour or as much as overnight)

  • Wipe the counters again to remove any residual oil

   

  For stained and sealed butcher block:

  • Use dish soap and water to clean the surface

  • You can add vinegar to the cleaning solution to make it antibacterial

   

  Additional care guidance may be available through the product manufacturer. Please feel free to contact our team directly for additional assistance.

   

• Decking

  • Remove debris between deck boards (a putty knife works well for this)

  • Thoroughly sweep the deck

  • Choose an appropriate cleanser based on your decking material:

    • Wood: Use a cleaner specifically formulated for wood and closely follow the directions (some require the decking to be wet first, some don't)

    • Composite: Use a cleaner specifically formulated for composite material, do not use pressure washers, and attack grease or oil stains with a commercial detergent

    • Vinyl (Cellular PVC): Use warm water and mild soap to remove mold, mildew, and dirt

  • Clean the deck:

    • It's best to choose a cloudy day when the decking is cool and the sun won't evaporate the cleaner

    • Use a stiff-bristled brush to apply the cleaner, scrub in circular motions, and rinse thoroughly

    • Be careful to not let the cleaner pool

  • Let the deck dry thoroughly

   

  Additional care guidance may be available through the product manufacturer. Please feel free to contact our team directly for additional assistance.

  •  

• Flooring

  Hardwood Flooring

  • Keep your home's temperature between 60-80 degrees and between 30-50 percent humidity

  • Clean spills immediately

  • Use furniture pads to prevent scratches

  • Sweep daily to prevent dust settling into the grain and between floor boards

  • Vacuum weekly to get any dust, crumbs or dirt that were missed when sweeping

  • Mop frequently, using a natural solution like white vinegar and water (1 cup of vinegar : 1 gallon of water) or a recommended hardwood floor cleaner (ask for recommendations from your installer)

  • Refinish your floors every 5-10 years or as necessary to renew their vibrance, shine, and durability

  • It's recommended to avoid any acidic, ammonia-based, or industrial cleaners on your hardwood floors - it is best practice to check with your installer for recommendations

  • If you have prefinished hardwood floors, always follow the manufacture's recommendations

   

  Additional care guidance may be available through the product manufacturer. Please feel free to contact our team directly for additional assistance.

   

  Laminate Flooring

  • Sweep regularly with a microfiber broom to collect pet hair and dust

  • Vacuum weekly using a soft brush attachment to avoid scratching the flooring

  • Deep clean monthly using laminate floor cleaner (you can also use a teaspoon of unscented clear dish soap in a gallon of water)

  • Be sure to use a damp mop, do not saturate it - standing water can cause the floor to bubble or swell or cause the seams to separate

  • Avoid oil-based cleaners or products designed for hardwood flooring

  • Don't ever wax or polish your laminate floors and avoid abrasive scrubbers

  • Vinegar, though a popular ingredient in homemade cleansers, is highly acidic and can break down the surface of the laminate when used in high concentrations over time

   

  Additional care guidance may be available through the product manufacturer. Please feel free to contact our team directly for additional assistance.

   

  Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) or Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT)

  • In high traffic areas, daily sweeping or dust mopping,

  • Vacuum weekly (disengage the beater bar or choose a model without a beater bar to prevent unnecessary damage to the floor)

  • Mop with a neutral pH cleaner (or a cup of white vinegar or apple cider vinegar mixed with a gallon of warm water)

  • Stains can be removed with a soft nylon brush and a mixture of baking soda and water

  • Never use ammonia based cleaners, steam cleaners, or abrasive scrubbers

   

  Additional care guidance may be available through the product manufacturer. Please feel free to contact our team directly for additional assistance.

   

  Carpet

  • Vacuum regularly and more frequently in high traffic areas

  • Vacuum in both horizontal and vertical directions to remove stubborn dirt and debris

  • Clean spots and spills quickly

  • To best spot clean your carpet, refer to a carpet stain guide (we've linked one here)

  • Professionally clean your carpet every 12-18 months 

   

  Additional care guidance may be available through the product manufacturer. Please feel free to contact our team directly for additional assistance.

• Grout & Caulk

  Grout

  • Weekly or biweekly, give your grout a preventative clean with a water and baking soda paste

  • Rub it in with a grout brush or toothbrush and thoroughly rinse with water

  • For a deeper clean or if you notice discoloration or stains, use a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda

  • If grout is properly cared for, you can expect a lifespan between 8-15 years

  • If you notice flaking and breaking, that's a sign that you need to replace it 

   

  Additional care guidance may be available through the product manufacturer. Please feel free to contact our team directly for additional assistance.

   

  Caulk

  • Use a mixture of water and hydrogen peroxide, or a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and bleach

  • For lighter surface cleaning, a mixture of vinegar and water can be used

  • A note on mold on caulk - if the mold appears to be coming from inside the caulk, or it reappears within days of cleaning, it could be a sign of a bigger problem, such as water likely having penetrated beneath the surface

  • In general, it is recommended to replace caulk every 1-5 years

   

  Additional care guidance may be available through the product manufacturer. Please feel free to contact our team directly for additional assistance.

• Mold, Ghosting, Surfactant Leaching

  Mold

  If you suspect mold is present in your home, polluting your air quality, or even making you sick, you should get it checked out as soon as possible. You might notice a musty smell or discolored spots on walls and floor. You should purchase a mold test kit and call a professional to investigate.

   

  

   

  Here are some of the most common areas for mold growth:

  • Behind the refrigerator

  • Behind the drywall in wall stud spaces containing plumbing lines

  • Under sinks

  • Behind the wallboard around leaking windows

  • In ventilation ducts

  • Under carpeting that was wet at one time (flooding, carpet cleaning)

  • On the backside of acoustic ceiling tiles (if roof leaked)

  • Behind any drywall that has been exposed to flooding

   

  Ghosting

  Ghosting refers to dark streaks or patches on walls and ceilings that occurs when soot, dust, or other particles build up and sticks to the surfaces. The buildup of ghost marks can be caused by any combination of moisture, cold spots, static electricity, air currents, and a supply of dust, soot, and other particulates that can drift with the air. Ghosting often shows up in a linear pattern that mimics the framing behind the wall.

  

   

  Surfactant Leaching

  Surfactant leaching, or the appearance of brown residue or streaks on interior and exterior painted surfaces, is a common problem that occurs when painting with water-based latex paint. Surfactant leaching is an aesthetic concern, but not harmful to the paint or the surface.

  When newly applied latex paint is exposed to high moisture or humidity while it’s drying and/or curing, the surfactants can rise prematurely to the film’s surface, producing a residue or splotches. 

  If you're noticing surfactant leaching, wipe the surface with a damp cloth. This may need to be done periodically as more surfactants are released over time, particularly in humid and damp areas like bathrooms.

  To prevent surfactant leaching, keep moisture away from paint when it's first applied. Always paint on completely dry and fully prepped surfaces and wait at least 24 hours before exposing the space to any moisture. 

  
  

   

• Siding

  Wood Siding

  • Wood siding like cedar is highly affected by weather, pests, and wear and tear

  • Perform a visual inspection at least twice a year, looking for signs of damage such as termites or wood rot

  • Clean annually using warm, soapy water and a soft-bristled brush

  • Remove mildew with a solution of one part bleach to four parts water

  • Re-treat every 2-5 years to ensure it stays protected

    • Walls that are exposed to sun and high heat will fade faster than those that are not, so they’ll require more frequent staining or painting to protect the wood from damage

  • If you notice signs of moisture, it is recommended that you contact a siding professional to locate the source of the moisture so that it can be remedied before the siding is scraped and stained or painted

   

  Additional care guidance may be available through the product manufacturer. Please feel free to contact our team directly for additional assistance.

   

  Vinyl Siding

  • Inspect your vinyl siding regularly

  • While vinyl resists rot and pests, it can get warped, cracked or trap moisture underneath if it's improperly installed, loose, or damaged

  • Wash your siding annually with soapy water and a hose

   

  Additional care guidance may be available through the product manufacturer. Please feel free to contact our team directly for additional assistance.

   

  Fiber Cement Siding

  • Inspect your siding annually; although fiber cement is highly durable and long-lasting, signs of damage can include cracks, damaged paint, warping, and mildew

  • Clean your siding every 1-3 years; it's a strong enough material to handle being power washed

  • Paint every 10-20 years

   

  Additional care guidance may be available through the product manufacturer. Please feel free to contact our team directly for additional assistance.

   

  Steel Siding

  • Many homeowners choose steel siding for its durability, but you should still routinely check for scratches

  • Power wash your steel siding annually

   

  Additional care guidance may be available through the product manufacturer. Please feel free to contact our team directly for additional assistance.