Care and maintenance of your Granite and Quartz worktops
Polished granite and quartz worktops make the ideal kitchen work surface. Although granite and quartz is regarded as the most practical and durable work surface available for household kitchens they are not indestructible, care must be taken when using sharp or heavy objects not to scratch or chip the surface.
Always chop food on a chopping board with rubber feet and not directly onto the granite or quartz surface.
Cleaning the Stone
All natural stone surfaces have had two coats of stain stop applied at the factory. The stain stop sealer acts as a protective coating, which reduces the porosity of the natural surface. Quartz is not porous and therefore does not require sealing.
Granite and Quartz worksurfaces should be cleaned using a neutral detergent i.e. mild soapy/fairy liquid and warm water solution, using a clean non abrasive soft cloth and buff dry. Purchase an empty 500ml spray bottle and fill with 8 parts water and 2 parts fairy liquid and use this to clean when required. Do not use bleach or chemicals to clean.
Sealing granite
Sealer for granite would need to be applied approximately every twelve months or sooner if any surface undergoes heavy use.
You can test your granite worktops by applying a drop of water on the surface, if it starts to disappear it is no longer protected and will require sealing if it remains on the surface like a water ball it is still protected. Look on our website for information regarding sealers.
Some sealers on the market today can protect for two to three years before requiring resealing. Use leading brand names: Lithofin, Dry Treat, LTP and Nu Life .
Avoid Stains
Please be aware that any acidic products i.e. citrus liquids, fizzy drinks, wine, vinegars, etc… may leave marks on the surface if left for long periods. It is best to wipe surfaces immediately. Do not leave to stand for days otherwise in extreme cases acidic products can etch the shine on the surface.
Strongly coloured foods, i.e. curry, saffron, beetroot, red wine, blackcurrant, etc… can cause staining so should be cleaned immediately.
Do
In hard water areas lime scale build up can etch or damage the polish around the sink area. Always clean and keep this area dry. Use a proper granite polish and make sure this area is properly sealed. Try to stay on top of this situation. With quartz make sure you wipe dry after cleaning.
Tests have shown, granite can withstand extreme temperatures but quartz cannot, so it is not advisable to place hot objects like saucepans or frying pans which have been subjected to heat on the cooker directly onto surface. Use a stand with rubber protectors on feet; place this on surface, and pans on stand. Placing something extremely hot on cold granite could shock the surface and will leave a permanent mark on the quartz surface.
In a kitchen of normal use the surfaces will acquire a patina and a sheen to weather, this all adds to the character of the surface.
A granite or quartz care kit is recommended to help maintain your granite or quartz surface.
Do Not
Stand or sit on the worktops as this could lead to cracking or fracture of the surface.
Allow salts or powder detergents to build up on surfaces.
Use any chlorine – based products, alkalis (caustic soda) or concentrated disinfectants to clean work surfaces.
Use any abrasive or metal scouring cloths or pads on surfaces