Maintenance & Care

Cleaning your new concrete products couldn't be easier. Damp cloths, mild detergents, and other water-based cleansers are all that is needed. Examples include Windex, vinegar and water, Windex with vinegar, and Simple Green and bleach. Abrasive cleaners or scrubbers should not be used. These include Comet, Brillo pads, 3M scrubbing pads, and all similar products.

While durable, both concrete and natural stone are "brittle" materials, as opposed to "elastic" materials. Sharp edges are more susceptible to chipping than rounded edges. Use care with pots and pans around the edges.

Clients should use normal care with respect to water, oil, acids, and food. Spills should be wiped up as soon as possible and immediately for acidic or highly staining agents such as lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, and mustard. While highly resistant to all sorts of chemicals, there is always a chance that something could stain the surface of our concrete products.

As with almost all types of countertop surfaces, you should use trivets. Concrete can microcrack if exposed to high heat, and the concrete is not elastic enough to "absorb" these microcracks. The surface will appear "crazed."

Non-structural hairline cracks are possible and are considered an inherent part of the product, not a manufacturing defect. Hairline cracks can occur at any time during the life of the countertop but are usually not a common occurrence. Hairline cracks are defined as cracks that are generally smaller than ½ mm in width and do not threaten the integrity or stability of the slab nor prevent the continued and normal use of the countertop.

Modern Edge Concrete products are sealed with a factory-applied, high-performance sealer. The sealer does require periodic recoating every 3-5 years, depending on wear. General food preparation should not stain the concrete as long as the coating is maintained. The coating is intended to keep the food away from the concrete itself. Spills should be removed as soon as possible; however, the resistance to oils and normal food items is excellent. You should not cut directly on the countertops. The use of cutting boards is recommended. Knives could potentially pierce the sealer, rendering the counters more susceptible to staining. Additionally, the concrete will severely dull the knife's cutting edge.

In the first few months, it is imperative that you wipe up water or any liquids quickly. Within the first few months, the sealer is still curing as it acclimates to your home's climate. At this time, it can be more prone to staining if not cared for and cleaned properly. A light coat of coconut oil once a month for the first few months is a great product to use during this time to protect the countertop from stains. You can also use a light coating of coconut oil once every few months during the life of the piece in order to prevent stains.