Stone worktops are a great investment in the home, adding a touch of luxury to any space coupled with durability when treated correctly. Therefore, it is important to be aware of the best way to clean and handle them. Each stone can differ so here are our recommendations of how you should treat each one.
Natural Stone
When it comes to caring for natural stone surfaces, such as granite, marble, quartzite or limestone, the simpler the better. For everyday cleaning, we recommend using warm water and a mild dish soap with a soft cloth. Excessive concentrations of cleaning products can leave a film over the stone or cause streaks.
The key to increasing the longevity of natural stone is in the steps you take when it is first installed. The stone should be sealed with a natural stone sealant or ‘impregnator’ which acts as a repellent. On average, a sealant will last between 3-5 years, so the stone should be resealed regularly depending on the traffic in the area. For example, the sealer on a splashback will last longer than on a high traffic worktop area. Nevertheless, it is important to do your research on which sealant would be best for your stone. Some penetrating-type sealers may darken stone, whereas others may lighten.
Using an impregnating sealer does make the stone more resistant to staining, however does not make it 100% stain proof. To reduce the possibility of staining, use coasters for drinks, and wipe up any spills immediately, particularly to acidic substances such as wine, citrus juice or vinegar.
Acidic substances can dull natural stone, as can abrasive products, including cleaners and dry abrasives such as green scouring pads or wire wool. They will strip the sealer and etch the surface, so we advise using microfibre cloths, which will also help to shine the stone.
Simple everyday methods you should put into practice are using chopping boards to prevent scratches, and using a trivet with hot objects. Placing objects directly from a heat source can cause thermal shock and potentially crack the stone so it is important to protect the stone from heat exposure.
Quartz
You should take as much care in your quartz worktop as you would for a natural stone worktop. It is worth remembering that although quartz is more resistant to staining, it is not indestructible.
We would recommend the above cleaning methods, using warm water and a neutral detergent, like fairy liquid, for everyday cleaning. For removing marks, you can use a green scotch-brite pad along with a non-abrasive cleaner so as not to affect the surface integrity.
To our customers we suggest using Lithofin MN Easy-Clean, a ready-to-use everyday cleaner for all stone surfaces. It enhances the appearance of the stone and does not leave streaks.
Contact us
If you are still not confident on how to clean and care for your material, don’t hesitate to give our office a call on 01322 867 956, or you can email us at info@greatbritishstone.com