Care and Maintenance

Slate and Limestone:

Routine Cleaning

Water marks, usually left by vases etc., this is usually just washed off with warm water and a SMALL amount of soap (washing up liquid), wash thoroughly and then repeat with just warm water to clear away any soap. You will need to feed the slate with slate oil or WD40 to return its finish.

Scratch and Surface Marks

Scratches and surface marks (may include white marks). You can redress the slate with a fine wire wool, you will find that this may dull the area and you will need to feed the slate with slate oil or WD40 to return its finish. You may need to do the complete surface to create a matching surface look, again take care with surrounding materials and soft furnishings.

Stain Resistance

Slate, as with other stones are porous. If you want to put anything containing liquid onto it always use a mat, any spillages should be mopped up straight away, if left they will soak in and stain the stone.

Marble:

Marbles are known for their durability and beauty. Due to its style of creation, marble carries a natural look and unique pattern of veins that contain a variety of minerals giving it a natural rich appearance.

This quick guide is aimed to help you care for and prolong the longevity of the marble.

Marble is highly porous making it susceptible to acid-based spills such, proper maintenance is highly recommended.
Marble tends to scratch easier than granite, avoid rubbing or dragging of any hard substances. The use of abrasive scouring cleaning powders will also tend to scratch the surface.
Your marble will be sealed before delivery/install; however, this sealing needs to be done periodically to maintain the work surface.
Polished marble makes a practical work surface for the kitchen; however, it will chip and scratch if mistreated. Avoid cutting directly on the countertop, remember to always use a cutting board.
Keeping your work surface clean should not require anything more than a sponge, washing up liquid and a little elbow grease.
Honed (dull finish) marble may mark, even when sealed.

A good way to give a longer life duration to your marble is to practice proper maintaining and cleaning procedures. Follow this simple guide ensure longevity:

Do not:

Place unnecessary extra weight, standing or sitting on your marble.
Leave ripe fruit on the surface for more than a few seconds.
Use any abrasives or corrosives liquids for cleaning.

Do:

Avoid spills as much as possible, however they can be repaired and restored with a process such as honing and polishing.
Clear up spillages immediately after they happen, especially substances such as wine, oils, beetroot, vinegar, and tabasco sauce.
Use hot pads or trivets under hot dishes and all cookware.
Periodically seal the surface with approved sealer.
Contact us if you are unsure if what you are doing is okay for your work surface.

Marble will give many years of satisfactory service, by following these simple maintenance tips, you’ll ensure that your marble stays in perfect condition for many years and remain a talking point for visitors to your home.

Granite:

Granites are known for their strength, durability and beauty, and their unique natural features can give a room a majestic feel. Compared to other materials such as wood and laminate, Granite is certainly more enduring, however they do require a certain element of care and maintenance.

This quick guide is aimed to help you care for and help the longevity of the work surface. It is worth remembering, granite is a natural material, and therefore each material will vary in hardness and porosity.

With some granites being more absorbent than others, a sealant is applied prior to supply/fitting.
Although repels staining, sealing will not make granite 100% stain proof. Follow the simple rules below, to try and eliminate staining.
Your Granite will be sealed before delivery/install; however, this sealing needs to be done periodically to maintain the surface.
Polished granite makes a practical work surface for the kitchen; however, it will chip and scratch if mistreated. Avoid cutting directly on the countertop, remember to always use a cutting board.
Keeping your work surface clean should not require anything more than a sponge, washing up liquid and a little elbow grease.
When choosing a leathered or honed (dull finish) granite for a work surface, even when sealed, it may absorb and mark.

A good way to give a longer life duration to your countertops is to practice proper maintaining and cleaning procedures. Follow this simple guide ensure longevity:

Do not:

Place unnecessary extra weight, standing or sitting on your counter tops.
Leave ripe fruit on the surface for more than a few seconds.
Use any abrasives or corrosives liquids for cleaning.

Do:

Clear up spillages immediately after they happen, especially substances such as wine, oils, beetroot, vinegar, and tabasco sauce.
Use hot pads or trivets under hot dishes and all cookware.
Periodically seal the surface with approved sealer.

Granite will give many years of satisfactory service, by following these simple maintenance tips, you’ll ensure that your granite stay in perfect condition for many years and remain a talking point for visitors to your home.

Quartz

Virtually maintenance free, Quartz hard, non-porous surfaces are simple to clean and require no sealing to renew their lustre. In most cases, soap and water or a mild detergent is enough to keep your Quartz surfaces looking like new. If necessary, you can use a non-abrasive soft soap along with a non-scratch or delicate scrub pad. Afterwards, thoroughly rinse with clean water to remove residue. Please note that Quartz finishes other than Polished may require increased daily maintenance due to their distinctive appearance.

Protection from hot temperatures

Quartz is more heat resistant, durable, and hard-wearing than other stone surfaces, including most granites, marble, and limestone. But it does need protection from very high temperatures (above 150°C or 300°F) or sudden extreme temperature changes.

Therefore, we suggest that hot pots and pans never be directly placed on the surface. We also recommend a hot pad or trivet be placed under cooking units such as electric frying pans, crock pots or toaster ovens.

Stubborn Stains and Spills

Life’s inevitable spills and stains can usually be cleaned up effortlessly with mild detergent or cleaner and water. To remove stuck on materials, gently scrape away the excess with a plastic putty knife or non-scratch pad and then wipe with warm water. Nail varnish or chewing gum stains can be removed with denatured alcohol, rinsing thoroughly afterward.

For extra-stubborn stains, a non-scratch Scotch-BriteTM pad is recommended along with a non-abrasive cleaner, which won’t dull the surface shine.

It’s tough, but not indestructible.

Like any other surface, Quartz can be permanently damaged if exposed to strong chemicals and solvents that affect its physical properties.

Avoid the use of strong chemicals and solvents or highly abrasive cleaning agents such as oven/grill cleaners and dishwasher polishing agents that have high alkaline/pH levels (pH levels higher than 11). Products containing oils or powders may leave a residue and should be rinsed off thoroughly.

Never clean your Quartz surface with products that contain Trichlorethane or Methylene Chloride,
such as paint removers or strippers.

Should your surface accidentally be exposed to any of these damaging products, rinse immediately
with warm water to neutralize the effect.