Most kitchen worktops supplied in Granite are highly polished. Granite is also very slightly porous. These facts mean that some care and common sense should be used when using and caring for your new worktops. Although Granite has been used successfully for kitchen and bathroom surfaces for many years, there are some reminders about what you can expect from your worktops, and how you can care for them:
Perform daily maintenance.
Clean the worktop with warm water and a few drops of dish washing
detergent or antibacterial detergent using a soft cloth. Rinse the
surface thoroughly with clean water and dry with a soft cloth.
If you
spill something on your worktop, blot with a paper towel or soft cloth
immediately. So do not wipe the area as this can spread the spill. Flush
the spill with warm water and detergent and rinse thoroughly. Dry the
worktop area with a soft cloth. Properly sealed stone will repel most
stains if the spills are cleaned promptly.
Do heavy duty cleaning.
When granite has been neglected, you will need to use a heavy-duty stone and degreaser to effectively remove dirt, grease, and grime from worktop. These products are concentrated and designed to deep clean without damaging the stone. It’s important to follow manufactures instructions carefully.
Remove stains.
If you find you have a stain that is not easily removed by following the above directions for spills, a “poultice” can be used to pull the stain from the stone. Stone poultice is a fine, non-acid, absorptive clay cleaning powder that removes deep-set oil stains, grease and light cement grout haze from polished and unpolished natural stone. The poultice may dull the shine of the polished stone. If this occurs you will need to use a marble polish to restore the natural shine.
When To Use A Sealer.
Not all granite kitchen worktops require a seal, but may benefit from a quality sealer product. Once properly sealed, the stone will be more resistant.
Keep your stone surface clean.
Avoid prolonged exposure to temperature extremes. Hot cooking pots will not damage the surface, however extreme or constant temperature changes may harm your stone. Avoid leaving hot pans sitting on the worktop for long periods of time, especially during the winter.
Do not stand on your worktops.
Use trivets or mats under ceramic objects that can scratch the surface.
Do not cut on your worktop
While granite is highly scratch-resistant, we recommend you do not cut on it directly. Use a cutting board.