Quartz and Granite are both extremely popular materials for kitchen worktops. They both have beautiful, unique appearances which coordinate with a wide variety of interior décor styles. They are also both extremely hardwearing, practical materials. However, if you want them to maintain their appearance, they do need the right care.
Here are some essential cleaning tips to keep your Quartz or Granite worktop looking as fresh as the day it was installed.
Have your Granite worktop sealed
Quartz is a non-porous material, so it doesn’t absorb moisture. This makes it naturally antibacterial. Granite, on the other hand, can absorb moisture, so it should always be sealed before being used as a kitchen worktop. This is the only way to ensure it will stay clean and free of stains and germs with appropriate care.
Wipe down every day
Your Quartz or sealed Granite worktop should be wiped down at least once every day if you want to keep it looking its best. Use a clean, soft cloth with no rough areas that could scratch the surface.
Warm water with a small amount of a non-abrasive cleaner such as regular dish soap should be enough to keep your worktop clean and fresh-looking, providing it has no stubborn stains. Be sure to rinse off any residue thoroughly, so your worktop maintains its shine.
Clean spills as soon as they happen
While Quartz and sealed Granite are non-porous, they can still stain if food or liquids are spilled on them, and the stains can be difficult to remove. This is why any spillages should be cleared up straight away as soon as they happen. It’s particularly crucial if the substance which has been spilled has high colour and staining properties, such as tea, coffee or red wine.
Soak up as much of the spillage as you can with a clean sponge, soft cloth or paper towel, and wipe clean.
Don’t use bleach
Bleach and other harsh chemicals regularly used in household cleaning products should never be used on a Quartz or Granite worktop. As these are natural stone surfaces, they can be damaged by bleach and similar cleaning chemicals, which are highly corrosive. The surface will be eaten away, ruining the appearance of your worktop and reducing its value when you come to sell your home.
Use baking soda for stubborn stains
Even natural cleaners like vinegar or lemon can be too harsh to use on Quartz or Granite, as they are highly acidic, so they could damage the surface. If you do encounter a stubborn stain, consider using baking soda as a gentler alternative.
By mixing baking soda with water, you can make a thick paste, which can be applied directly to the stain using a soft cloth. This should then be left to dry. Once the cloth has dried completely, lift it up. The baking soda paste and the stain should hopefully lift with it. Then all you need to do is wipe away any residue with warm water and mild soap, and your worktop should be as good as new!
Scrape off any dried spillages
If a spillage has dried and hardened, it is possible to remove it from a Granite or Quartz worktop, even if it is something extremely stubborn like grease or chewing gum. Never use a knife or Brillo pad, however, as these could scratch the surface and ruin the appearance of your worktop, as well as creating an ideal environment for germs to fester.
Instead, use a blunt plastic scraper, and scrape very gently until the spillage is removed.
Keep it shiny
The shinier a stone surface, the more antibacterial it is; so in a kitchen, you really need to maintain the shine on your Quartz or Granite worktop. Once you have wiped your worktop down with soap and water, rinse away any residue, then dry the surface thoroughly. Following this, buffing in a circular motion with a soft cloth will restore the shine to your worktop, keeping it pristine and germ-free!
Consult a stone specialist
If your Quartz or Granite worktop still isn’t looking its best after trying all these cleaning tips, or you’re concerned about its condition, it might be time to talk to an experienced professional. At Omega Stone, we are always happy to speak to you about your stone surfaces, and we can advise on the best ways of maintaining them in order to keep them looking great and functioning perfectly long into the future.
