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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Choosing Quartz Worktops- Things You Should Know

If you are looking for a hard-wearing and attractive material for kitchen worktops, quartz is probably one of the best options available. According to Affordable Granite, a specialist Quartz Company, the surface of quartz is durable and stylish and it can add glamour and style to your kitchen. Here are few things you should know about quartz worktops.

How is quartz made?

You might be surprised to see the description “man-made” on some quartz kitchen worktops, given how much like a natural stone they can look. In fact, all ‘quartz worktops’ are made of a processed stone: quartz, glass, metal, even mirror are blended with 7% resins and dyes to achieve what can be a natural effect. You can find a huge variety of colour in quartz due to this chemical processing, making it suitable for any kitchen décor. The surface of quartz stone is hard and non-porous in nature.

What are the customisation options in quartz kitchen tops?

Since quartz is a manmade stone which involves mixing of materials, it provides countless customisation options in terms of colour, texture and pattern. For example, you can mix small pieces of metals or flecks of glass in the final mix to get a translucent or glittering effect on your quartz kitchen worktop.

Is quartz environmentally friendly?

Many quartz worktops are made using recycled materials, and byproducts of other aspects of the stone industry. The materials and manufacturing process used in the making of quartz is also intrinsically low in carbon emissions. Transport is generally by container, always by sea freight, which is highly efficient compared to other transport modes. 

How can I maintain my quartz kitchen tops?

Quartz worktops need less maintenance than light-coloured natural stone (granite), and it would not be wrong to say they are very close to being maintenance free. Simple cleaning with a wet cloth followed by buffing with a dry cloth is normally enough. More stubborn or dried on dirt or staining can be attacked with normal kitchen detergent. For the most stubborn marks, we would recommend Cif or similar, and we have not had a stain on quartz yet that hasn’t responded to this treatment. You should avoid using hard or abrasive chemicals for cleaning as they can damage the surface of a quartz countertop.

Quartz is a human-engineered stone which contains resins; it is not heat-resistant above 180°C. Therefore, you should avoid placing hot pans or pots directly on the surface of quartz worktops. The resins used in manufacturing are not indestructible and you need to be careful when putting hot utensils on quartz worktops.

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Why granite worktops are right for your kitchen

The kitchen is one of the most used rooms in your home, and it certainly deserves time and money spent on it. According to Affordable Granite, a specialist granite company, if you are planning to give your kitchen a facelift, granite worktops are one of the best options

Here are a few reasons for installing granite worktops in your new kitchen.

Elegant and attractive

According to Affordable Granite, there are few stones that are as elegant and attractive as granite. Each slab of granite is unique and the colour and the texture of the stone mainly depends on the region it comes from. You will find a large range of hues and a wide variety of colours and designs in granite. No matter what your kitchen theme is you will find a perfect match for your kitchen update project. Granite worktops are extremely pleasing to the eye and can raise the overall value of your home.

Easy to clean

The kitchen by definition can be one of the messiest places in your home, there are likely to be water spills, grease and food leftovers are also a common thing.  Affordable Granite recommends granite for kitchen worktops and countertops as they are so easy to clean. Many natural stones which are sold as industrial granite are non-porous in nature, which means that any microbes, bacteria and germs will not be able to find any hiding place in your granite kitchen worktop. You can always spray disinfectant on the worktop to kill germs and keep your family safe. If the kitchen worktop gets dirty, you can easily clean it with mild soap and a damp cloth and the kitchen will be sparkling clean again.

Long lasting

Granite is sturdy and is likely to outlast any material (synthetic or natural) used in kitchen worktops. What is sold as industrial granite covers a wide variety of rocks of varying properties. The darker stones for kitchen worktops tend to igneous rocks, formed due by the solidification of magma. Other rocks used ibn the industry may be metamorphic schists – sandstones that have been heated and compressed under the earth’s surface until all the particles fuse together into a hard and often brilliantly patterned rock.  Granite worktops are resistant to scratches and they do not get chipped, cracked, or damaged.

Perfect for kitchen conditions

Granite worktops are considered perfect for the kitchen as they are resistant to heat and the surface of the kitchen top should not get marked by hot pots, pans or utensils placed directly on the surface. Affordable Granite would still recommend the use of a trivet for pans straight out of a really hot oven, though.

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5 Granite Worktop Colours that Change the Look and Feel of Any Kitchen Space

Choosing granite worktops for your kitchen means you are giving your kitchen a highly effective and luxurious feel. The one difficulty many homeowners face with granite worktops is choosing the right colour for their kitchen. So, here we have detailed the five most popular granite worktop colours for kitchens.

Black Granite Worktop

Black granite worktops look elegant. For a classic look, pair them with neutral colours. Black worktops are well suited to rooms with large windows that bring in more natural light. Some people feel that black worktops create a shrinking effect in their kitchen. To avoid this, you can mix it with light coloured or white cabinetry.

White Granite Worktop

White granite worktops are suitable for a kitchen with new appliances and trim. To create a contemporary look, mix white granite with modern appliances or, if preferred, pair them with the vintage appliances for a traditional look.

Red Granite Worktop

Did you know red granite has a rich history? Red granite can be found in ancient Egyptian pyramids and red granite was actually used by the Egyptians for both building and decoration. Installing red granite worktops adds an energetic feel to your kitchen making it feel bold and historical. Mix it with neutral cabinetry to avoid it overpowering the room.

Green Granite Worktop

Green granite has brown and grey undertones and is earthy. They have geometric markings that work especially well with painted cabinets. Blend it with wood cabinetry and bronze hardware to provide an earthy feel. Green kitchen granite worktops can give your home a natural look, and a relaxing atmosphere since green is the colour of nature.

Blue Granite Worktop

Whichever shade you choose, be it plain or veined, a blue granite worktop never disappoints. Blue granite colours are highly popular for the unique beauty they add to a kitchen colour scheme. From the reflective flashes of blue minerals embedded in dark granite to the cool waves of light blue quartzite, there are few choices more exotic or more likely to spark a conversation in the kitchen.

The Bottom Line

Don’t think that granite is just any old stone! It is an ideal option for kitchen worktops and can be used with any kitchen design. Granite worktops provide a unique quality and feel and will bring the desired ‘wow-factor’ to your kitchen.

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A Complete Guide to Granite Kitchen Worktops

Whether you are thinking about updating your kitchen worktop or a full-scale kitchen refurbishment, investing in granite worktops is the most sensible and surprisingly affordable option you can choose. By replacing your old kitchen worktops, you are giving your kitchen a refreshed and luxurious touch. Granite worktops are a real investment and add great value to your home when installed. Unlike other materials, they are hardwearing and look like they have just been fitted, even after many years use.

5 Reasons to Choose Granite Worktops

Aesthetic Values

Granite worktops have a classic and timeless appeal which makes them the number one choice for creating a luxurious, modern kitchen. Due to their individual veining and colouring, granite worktops offer exquisite designs and striking visual appeal.

Hardwearing

Granite worktops are hardwearing and durable. This makes them the ideal choice for busy kitchens that are the focal point of your home. They can withstand intense use and also have high resistance to scratches, stains, and heat.

Easy to Maintain

Granite worktops are easy to clean and maintain especially when compared to other worktop materials. A wipe down with a damp cloth is generally all that is required.

Versatile Design

Since granite slabs have the same structure throughout, they can be shaped and polished into curves. Granite is the ideal choice for bespoke designs and fittings. For this reason, you are likely to see granite worktops being used in kitchens and bathrooms in both residential and commercial environments.

Adds Value

As mentioned earlier, granite worktops are visually appealing and can add more value to your home. This factor also improves the appeal of your home to buyers if you decide to put your property on the market.

In addition, granite kitchen worktops come in a wide range of colour choices. Since granite is a natural stone, your colour choice will be a natural shade that will complement your kitchen colour scheme perfectly.

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Advantages and Disadvantages of using Quartz Worktops

When you are thinking about updating your kitchen, you need to take a lot into account. The process of choosing the right products to create the kitchen of your dreams can be very stressful. When it comes to installing a new kitchen worktop, Quartz kitchen worktops are gaining in popularity these days.

By knowing the pro’s and con’s of using Quartz worktops, you will have a clear understanding of whether quartz kitchen worktops are right for you:

Pros

•    Non-permeable

Quartz worktops are manufactured from engineered stone, a man made material with many of the qualities of natural rock. Particles of quartz and other minerals are bonded with a plastic resin to create a hard, non-porous composite which machines and polishes like granite. Quartz worktops are easy to clean as they do not allow liquids to seep in and cause stains.  They can actually be better at resisting stains than natural stone worktops.  Because they do not have pores they inhibit the growth of bacteria and other micro-organisms and so they can be considered to be more hygienic.

•    Resistance to heat

Quartz offers substantial resistance to heat when compared to the alternative synthetic options. They do not bend or buckle when touched by hot frying pans or pots.

•    Resistance to crack

They are more impact-resistant than many other types of materials used in kitchen worktops because of the presence of the flexible and elastic resin in between the crushed quartz pieces. Whilst they are scratch resistant, in fact it is not advisable to use sharp knives directly over the quartz countertop as they can blunt the knives!

•    Easy to maintain

Unlike marble and granite they do not require sealing. Other than the regular cleaning, you need not do anything to maintain the quartz worktops.

Cons

•    Costly

It is a high-end product with unique qualities. It can initially be thought to be expensive however the ease of maintenance, its longevity and hygienic benefits makes up for its upfront cost. In the longer term quartz worktops can prove to be a sound investment

•    Engineered material

For those who love the patterns and colours of natural products like marble and granite, a quartz worktop might be a disappointment.

If you are interested in buying Quartz worktop, contact us at Affordable Granite to find out more.

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