Our team has been supplying and installing kitchen worktops all around the country since 2005. At Granite House, we know exactly how important it is for you to preserve your kitchen worktops, keeping them looking brand new for as long as possible.
All of our worktops are durable – they’re all more than capable of providing you with robust workspaces when you’re cooking your meals. However, some worktops are more durable than others and no worktop will stay perfect without a little maintenance and damage prevention.
So we thought we’d give you a guide on how to maintain your beloved kitchen worktops.
Be Gentle When Cleaning
Just because your worktops are hard-wearing doesn’t mean you should be rough with them. Of course, you’re not going to crack your kitchen worktops by scrubbing them too hard, but there’s a good chance you’ll tarnish the colours and finishings, especially over time.
To keep your worktops looking squeaky clean without dulling them down, wipe your worktops down with soft clothes and sponges (soaked with warm water). Don’t use scrubbing brushes, brillo pads or anything that feels rough or capable of scratches.
Use the Right Cleaning Products
Different chemicals affect different worktops differently. Typically, you’ll hear that white vinegar, generic household cleaner and baking soda are great for cleaning kitchen worktops – and that’s true, but not for all types of worktops. Depending on the worktop material, here are the best products you can use to keep them shiny and new:
Quartz and Granite Worktops
Although they’re tough, quartz and granite worktops don’t react well with certain chemicals. Make sure to avoid harsh or acidic substances such as:
- Vinegar
- Bleach
- Lemon juice
- Lemon-based products
- Citrus-based products
- Ammonia
- Grout cleaners
- Bath/sink cleaner
- Tile cleaner
- Sugar soap
Instead, the best cleaning products for quartz and granite worktops are:
- Warm, soapy water (nothing beats a quick clean-up with warm water)
- Dish soap and mild detergent
- Specialist quartz/granite worktop cleaner
For more information on maintaining your granite worktops, click here. Or if you want more information on maintaining your quartz worktops, click here.
Marble Worktops
Yet again, harsh, acidic chemicals are only going to damage your marble worktops. Make sure to avoid using:
- Vinegar
- Bleach
- Lemon juice
- Lemon-based products
- Citrus-based products
- Ammonia
- Grout cleaners
- Bath/sink cleaner
- Tile cleaner
- Sugar soap
Instead of using anything acidic, try using:
- Warm, soapy water
- Dish soap and mild detergent
- Hydrogen peroxide solution
- Specialist marble worktop cleaner
Yet again, warm water trumps the rest and is still the most effective method of cleaning up any mess.
Porcelain Worktops
When it comes to porcelain worktops, some of the cleaning products that damage other worktops are safe with porcelain. However, some things to avoid are:
- Extremely acidic substances
- Anything containing hydrofluoric acid
- Waxes
Porcelain worktops are slightly more resistant to harsh chemicals like bleach, yet it’s still imprtant to use them carefully as they can cause damage. When cleaning your porcelain worktops, it’s safe to use:
- Warm, soapy water (of course)
- White vinegar
- Baking soda
- Dish soap and detergent
- Bleach (make sure to use minimally)
- Grout cleaner
- Tile cleaner
- Specialist porcelain worktop cleaner
- Sugar soap
Besides porcelain worktops, the do’s and don’t of cleaning your kitchen worktops are largely similar. However, it’s always best to double-check whether a substance is compatible or not with the worktop material you’re cleaning.
Coasters, Chopping Boards and Storage Are Your Best Friends
There’s nothing worse than placing a pan on your worktop only to hear the grating sound of grit trapped beneath it. Not only does the sound resemble nails down a chalkboard, but it can also leave scratches where the grit has become trapped between your pan and your worktop.
To avoid this, never put your pan directly onto your worktop. The same rule applies to cups, plates and your general cooking utensils, especially when you’re cutting up food!
Even with acidic foods, if you have a granite, quartz or marble worktop, place your acidic foods on chopping boards, in a pan or on a sheet. Although it probably won’t do any damage there and then, it might over time.
Knives are a whole other issue. Even if your kitchen worktop is scratch-resistant, make sure to put knives away when they’re not used. Leaving them lying around can still cause tiny scratches that mount up over time.
Protect your worktop and it’ll last you a lifetime.
Avoid Heavy Objects
Natural stone is very strong and resilient. It can last a lifetime if taken care of properly. This includes avoiding heavy objects on the worktop. It’s expected that your worktop will suffer a certain amount of weight over its very long lifetime; it’s been designed to live up to such tests after all.
However, an excessive amount of weight could damage your hardwearing surface. Avoid standing on your worktop at all costs; falling and injuring yourself aside, doing so could add unnecessary weight to your worktop causing small cracks to appear.
When it comes to caring for your kitchen worktops we know what we’re talking about, and that’s why you can trust us to deliver quality worktops for a variety of homes.
If you’d like to find out more about how we work, and what our service includes, contact us today at 01704 228 574 or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and YouTube for the latest in granite designs!
