It is vital to know that both granite and quartz worktops are very easy to clean, in fact most of the time all they require is a simple wipe with a slightly damp or a completely dry cloth.
Daily cleaning is also essential and is recommended for both types of materials, either with just a moist cloth or with a slight touch of a washing up products.
There are a number of products on the market that are made specifically for the care of granite and quartz worktops and are ultimately ideal for the regular usage. Companies such as Akemi and Lithofin specialise in such dependable products.
However the overall maintenance of both materials can sometimes vary.
For example; quartz worktops often require specialised products as they are sensitive to highly acidic liquids. A product which is very often used to deal with quartz is Lithofin, offering only the most reliable long-term care.
At times there are more intensive and stubborn stains such as oil spills that occur on the worktops. The best way they could be dealt with is to immediately clean them with Lithofin products or simply with water mixed with a hint of CIF or soap, a combination which always has to be rinsed off with warm water afterwards.
In addition spilt liquids such as coffee, tea or wine have to be cleaned straight away, otherwise it can be difficult to remove the stains after they dry, in which case a treatment composed of mixed water and vinegar is required.
The natural stone granite worktops are strong materials that possess certain attributes, thus being waterproof, heat resistant and scratch resistant, but only to an extent. Therefore it is also advised to daily clean the worktops with either special products or light natural detergents that come close to the PH7 scale.
Likewise in comparison to quartz, granite is sealed before the installation and it is recommended that afterwards it is sealed at least every 3-4 months on a regular basis, in order to maintain its high quality gloss, sheen and striking features.
Of course lastly we should take into consideration that even though granite and quartz are strong and tough materials, they should still be approached with caution. For example heavy object that are dropped on the worktops can seriously damage them. Perhaps it is not so much the case with quartz, but some granite worktops that have a high vain structure, are more delicate than others and are therefore more vulnerable to heavy impacts. This can therefore create cracks or could even chip the worktop.
Things to avoid:
• Any contact with hot metal pans or knives should be avoidable; it is always advised to use a chopping desk when cutting in order to prevent unnecessary scratches. Similarly using a tripod for very hot pans is compulsory in order to avoid thermal shocks, thus leaving behind dark rings on the surface of the worktop. The same suggestion applies to high temperature dishes.
• Acids such as lemon juice, pure vinegar and concentrated blackcurrant or even orange juices can be harmful for the worktops, and if not cleaned immediately, a risk instantly occurs of leaving permanent stains.
• Other chemicals such as acetone (nail varnish), bleaches, solvents or any other chemicals with over the PH9 scale are dangerous in high volumes. Acetone can be used for regular cleaning purposes (as long as a little amount is used) but nevertheless it should always be subsequently rinsed with water.
• Do not expose quartz in locations that are a specific focus of strong sunlight. This can eventually decolour the quartz worktop, thus getting rid of the original and beautiful colours that quartz worktops possess. It isn’t as much of an issue with granite; however quartz is a man-made product combined of many various pigments and other particles that are sensitive to sunlight and UV lighting.
