Helpful advice on caring for your work tops

Caring for Natural Stone.....

Stone requires very little maintenance and is naturally resistant to stains and heat. However, it is not indestructible! Please follow these simple guidelines for the daily care of your granite and marble:

1. Regularly clean your surfaces with a damp cloth. Dry off worktops to avoid dull patches appearing where hard water and soap residues may accumulate. A light neutral (PH7) detergent, or normal washing up liquid, may be safely added.

2. There are cleaning products available which can be applied to surfaces to clean and help maintain the surface shine.

3. Avoid the use of abrasive or strong detergent cleaners, limescale removers and scour pads.

4. Cutting foods on stone worktops should not scratch the granite but will blunt knives quickly! To be safe use a separate chopping board.

5. Be careful not drag any heavy or cast iron pots across the surface of the stone.

6. Granite, and particularly marble, are porous materials. The stone is treated before leaving the factory to help resist staining, but be careful with acidic products such as wine, fruits, and perfume, and oils such as olive oil and cooking oils, as these may stain if allowed to soak into your worktops. Wipe spillage off as soon as possible.

Honed and antiqued granites require extra special care to ensure that they don't stain - wipe up spillages immediately.

Marble, slate and limestone are not recommended for kitchen worktops because they will stain, scratch and mark even in normal use.