General Care and Guidelines of Concrete

Concrete is a natural material comprised of mainly sand, cement, and water. Much like any natural material, concrete is porous. To ensure the long-lasting beauty of your concrete surface please follow the best practices and guidelines for concrete surfaces.

 

Best Practices:

•    Wipe up all spills.

•    Don’t leave anything on the concrete that would trap moisture on the surface, restricting evaporation. (example: wet towel) Anything staying on the countertop for long periods of time needs felt pads underneath.

•    Don’t cut directly on the surface. Use cutting boards

•    Don’t set hot pots and pans directly on the surface. (use trivets)

•    If your concrete is outside, cover when not in use, just like you would your grill to keep from dulling.

 

Cleaning Guidelines:

•    Use only mild pH balanced cleaners, natural/ green cleaner. Warm dish soap and water will also do. Best cleaner to use is Windex with vinegar.

•    Don’t use abrasive cleaners. If you are trying to remove dried food or drink, please first soak spot with warm soap and water until softened and wipe clean.

•    Don’t use solvents, it could affect the sealer immediately or over time.

•    Use only soft sponges/ towels (microfiber recommended)

• Abrasive pads will scratch and or degrade the sealer.

•    Don’t use acidic cleaners on concrete, this includes bleach and anything citrus based. If using pre moistened cleaning wipes, make sure they are non-bleach.

 

Maintenance:

• Once every month to two months Gyeon Cure Matte ceramic Spray can be applied. Available on Amazon.

• First clean counters with recommended cleaners, dry countertops off, Mist Gyeon onto microfiber towel 2-3 sprays and wipe in circular motions, reapply Gyeon to towel every few feet of countertop or as towel dries out. Once finished let dry for 2 minutes and hand buff with a clean microfiber towel.

 

FAQ:

Can concrete countertops stain?

Concrete can stain when certain acidic substances (e.g., wine, citrus, and vinegar) are left unattended for extended periods of time. We use a proprietary two-step process that significantly reduces the effects of staining. First, we use a penetrating sealer that prevents liquids from entering the stone, and then we use a durable modified topical sealer that prevents acid etching caused by these acidic substances.

 

If acid liquids, such as vinegar, lemon juice or wine, are left for too long a time, the vapors can penetrate the sealer and leave marks in the stone. It’s best to clean up spills as they occur. Oil bottles can leave dark marks, although the marks disappear over time. Note that unglazed ceramics on your countertops compete for moisture with the concrete, so it’s better to add protective felt or rubber pads under such items.

 

Once delivered and installed our concrete products will take another 2 weeks to complete the initial cure and another 2 months to be fully cured. During the initial cure, you will want to wipe up liquid splashes as they occur. If liquids stay on the surface for over 30 minutes, it could cause the sealer to become cloudy which will need to be buffed out. You may also see dark spots where the liquids were. These should quickly fade as the surface dries out.

 

Can I cut directly on my concrete?

As with natural stone, it is not recommended. Knives and some hard metals can scratch through the surface of the sealer and damage the concrete.

 

Will concrete crack?

All concrete is susceptible to harmless nearly invisible hairline cracks that will not compromise the structural integrity or quality of your concrete piece. They will sometimes appear months or years after installation and are generally a result of seasonal movement of the cabinets and the house/ground/pad itself.  These should be considered part of the aesthetic charm of concrete, and not a defect.  Concrete exhibits natural beauty rather than plastic perfection.