Your Ultimate Guide to Cleaning Granite Kitchen Worktops

If you’ve invested in a quality granite kitchen worktop that’s adding beauty and convenience to your kitchen, it’s important to keep it clean and tidy to do it justice. We bring you some simple yet effective tips to maintain your granite kitchen worktops in pristine condition.

Everyday Cleaning

In order to keep your granite kitchen worktop bacteria free, you need to clean it regularly, not just after preparing food. Do you keep your shopping bags, children’s school bags or handbags on the worktop when you arrive home? If so your worktop might get contaminated with harmful bacteria even when you’re not cooking. Use a soft microfibre cloth and hot soapy water to wipe down the granite top every day. You can also choose a pH-balanced product that’s specially formulated for granite kitchen worktops to keep them clean and looking like new.

Preventing and Removing Stains

If your kitchen worktops are made of light coloured stone, you need to take extra care to avoid staining. Try to avoid spillage of any chemicals or corrosive substances and remember that metal objects can sometimes scratch the polished surfaces. The easiest way to avoid stains is to clean your tops immediately with a paper towel and water. The longer spills stay on the surface; the more chances there is of staining.

Avoiding Heat Damage & Scratches

Though granite is durable and highly scratch resistant, it is best to use a cutting board. If you constantly cut vegetables on the worktop without a board, it can damage both, your knives and your worktop. Granite is also heat-resistant, but you should consider using special trivets when you’re placing kitchenware straight from the oven or cooktop on the granite. This will prevent potential damage to your beautiful granite worktop.

Long-term Maintenance

Normally, all granite kitchen worktops are processed with a special sealant to maintain their look and avoid the absorption of dirt or liquids into the worktop. It is however recommended that you re-treat your granite every 1-2 years to maintain its natural shine and perfect look. For darker colours, a 2-year interval is sufficient but lighter colours might need a re-treatment every year.

Following regular cleaning and maintenance will keep your kitchen top looking pristine and perfect for a long time!

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Are you Making these 5 Mistakes When Choosing Granite Worktops?

Every piece of granite that you choose for your kitchen will add to its aesthetic appeal and also to the resale value of your home. If you’re in the market for a new granite worktop, you might get overwhelmed with the variety and the options available. In order to make sure you buy the ideal one for your home, avoid these 5 mistakes:

1. Choosing the Wrong Thickness

Before you buy, check the installation of different thicknesses and select one that matches your kitchen and your sink requirements. If you buy a granite worktop with varying thickness, it might cause a lot of installation issues.

2. Opting for The Wrong Colour

Darker granite colours will stain less than lighter colours. If you’re installing the granite in an area that won’t have too much interaction with foods or liquids, you can opt for a lighter colour with a complex pattern. If you anticipate a lot of spillages or want will be using it in an area that might have a high moisture level or increased risk of spillage going for a darker colour with a minimum pattern would be a safer bet.

3. Getting Too Many Seams

When buying granite worktops, look for a product with minimum seams. You can discuss this with your granite retailer before you finalise your purchase. Too many seams in your kitchen can reduce its aesthetic appeal.

4. A Mismatch in Your Kitchen

If your kitchen is already designed, choose a countertop that matches the cabinet styles. For example, flat edges or bevelled tops look great with modern cabinets. If your cabinets are traditionally styled, a bull nose edge might be a better option for you. If you have small children in the house, it’s best to opt for rounded bottom edges as kids are at risk for bumping their heads on the edges.

5. Choosing the Wrong Mounting for Your Sinks

If you opt for a top-mounted kitchen sink, these can attract a lot of bacteria around the edges and can be difficult to keep spotlessly clean. By way of contrast, when you opt for an under mounted sink i.e. the kitchen sink is either inside or below the granite worktop, it will elevate your kitchen’s look and also keep it clean and tidy.

Keeping these points in mind will help you choose a durable and functional worktop that will not just look beautiful, but also serve its purpose for years to come!

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