How To Clean An Onyx Countertop

Onyx is an exceptional stone because of its translucent beauty. This stone has such a fascinating beauty that its popularity has skyrocketed. It is now used to decorate offices, restaurants, hotels and modern homes in the form of decorative walls, floors and countertops. Perhaps you have been to an office where the reception desk is made of onyx.

You will admit that it is difficult for you not to be mesmerized with the sight of a back-lighted onyx countertop. Thanks to the mineral composition of onyx stones. They allow light to pass through the surface in a fascinating way.

But the mineral composition of onyx is also the reason why it is delicate. Onyx is softer than granite because, instead of having hard stones, it has calcareous stones that are basically composed of calcium carbonates. This nature makes onyx more vulnerable to acids and harsh chemicals. For this reason most onyx countertops are used as design accents to homes and offices and not for heavy duty functions such as kitchen countertops. The delicateness of this stone means you really need to know how to clean an onyx countertop if you want to use it for a long time.

Safe Items You Can Use For Cleaning An Onyx Countertop
The fragile nature of an onyx countertop requires special care and proper use. Here are the items that you can safely use in cleaning the surface of an onyx countertop.

• Natural cleansing products are the safest since they have neutral ph and they will not be detrimental to the calcium carbonate minerals of onyx. Always look for green products when you are buying countertop cleansers.
• Soft, non-abrasive cloth – for wiping and drying.
• Only use cleansing products that are recommended by the countertop supplier.

Don’t Use These Products When Cleaning Your Onyx Countertop

• Stone Cleansers that contains acids and harsh chemicals.
• Brushes with hard bristles – because they can cause accidental scratches to the countertop surface.
• Steel wool – for the same above mentioned reason.

Care And Maintenance Of Your Onyx Countertop
Knowing how to clean an onyx countertop will help you use and enjoy it much longer. Here are some tips that you can use to prolong its life.

• Blot out all water and liquid spills at once. Since onyx is very delicate, avoid wiping the spills because this may cause accidental scratches. Don’t let liquids stay on the countertop surface longer than they should. Be watchful especially against vinegar, wine and other acidic spills. If acids penetrate the surface, they will ruin the stone. Water spills can leave ugly spots that are difficult to remove so dry them off at once.
• Do the same with dirt and grime. If you allow them on the surface long enough, they will cake and harden making them more difficult to remove. You will be forced to scrape them and that may cause accidental scratches to the countertop surface. 
• When cleaning the countertop, do not spray cleaners directly on the countertop surface. The onyx stone may absorb the cleaner and this may lead to permanent damage. Spray the cleaner onto a soft cloth first, and then wipe it gently to the countertop surface.
• Onyx can scratch easily so don’t cut your food stuffs directly on the countertop surface. Always use a chopping or cutting board for this purpose.
• Never use your onyx countertop if they are not yet sealed and laminated. If you do, water, dirt and grime will definitely enter the stone’s surface and may cause permanent damage to the stone structure.
• If you want to use your onyx countertop for a long time, schedule a periodic sealing and laminating of the countertop surface. This should be done at least once a year or even twice a year if you can afford it.

Additional Considerations
The material composition of onyx stone requires that you use it carefully. Yes, its translucent beauty makes it an effective material for decorative countertops, but its calcium based composition makes it susceptible to the destructive forces of acids and harsh chemicals. Therefore, be watchful against wine, fruit juices, vinegar and lemon. They can etch the surface of onyx when left on the surface unattended even if you have adequately sealed and laminated the countertop surface. What will happen is that these substances will first destroy the surface finish, and then go deeper and ruin the stone itself. But you can prevent this from happening if you will always be observant on what’s going on at the onyx countertop surface.