Care & Maintenance of Marble, Granite and Stone Benchtops

With care your new marble, granite and stone benchtops will last a lifetime, by follwing some easy tips and protecting surfaces from heat and spills they will look as good as the day they were installed.

You will get efficient and thoughtful service from Jinkui Stone.

Marble, Granite & Travertine

• Normal &#;Housekeeping&#; maintenance involves only periodic washing with clean, tap water and neutral (pH-7) cleaners. &#;Soap less&#; cleaners are preferred because they minimize sticking and filming. However, mild phosphate-free, biodegradable liquid dish-soaps, soap flake or powders which contain no aromatics are acceptable if rinsing is thorough.
• Stone surface should be first wetted with clean, hot (not boiling) water. Then, using the cleaner solution, wash in small overlapping sweeps, from bottom-up if a vertical surface. Rinse thoroughly with clean, tap water to remove all traces of soap or cleaners solution change the water in the rinse pail frequently. Dry with soft cloth or cotton-flannel, and allow to thoroughly air-drying. Chamois skin may be used in lieu of cotton cloth in this process.
• Spills of any type should be immediately removed and water-rinsed. Coasters should be placed under all glasses, particularly those containing liquors or citrus juices.
• Hot-plates should be used under heated dishes.

Generally, prevention will save a great deal of time spent on cures and remedies, especially since damages to stone, are often irreparable. Polished stone should receive the same care and consideration that is given to a fine wood finish.

Marble & Travertine

Staining

• Coasters and placemats should be used to prevent staining for all drinking glasses or dishes&#;, including water glasses as marble is susceptible to all types of stains including water rings. Thus, avoid leaving any spilled substances on marble for any period of time to reduce staining (including juices, alcoholic beverages, oils, greases, cosmetics, and standing water).
• Marble is sealed with penetrating sealer to help prevent the absorption of stains into the stone. Therefore it is recommended that marble be resealed periodically with a penetrating stone sealer on all horizontal surfaces. (Available to purchase at New Millennium)
• Do not use chemical products for cleaning such as acid based, Jif or window cleaner on your new bench top as this can cause a scum build up, eventually taking away the high gloss finish that granite & marble achieves. We at New Millennium have a range of cleaning and maintenance products available to purchase. Please call us for further information.

Etching

• Marble is a calcareous stone and is acid sensitive. Calcareous stones are readily dissolved in acid; therefore acidic products, such as lemon or tomato juices should not be used on marble. These will cause the stone to etch &#; the surface finish will dull and change texture. Wiping spills immediately and taking caution to use only cleansers specified for stone will help avoid etching your marble.

Burning

• Marble does have the potential to scorch, so hot pots and pans should not be set directly on marble bench tops. Use trivets, potholders and placemats to protect marble surface
• We do not recommend placing very hot items (such as saucepans and oven pots) directly on any stone bench top surface, as this can cause extreme THERMAL SHOCK. Granite is heat resistant up to between 150 and 200 Celsius in temperature; Damage may not be noticed immediately if this is done regularly, however over time hairline cracks may appear reducing the strength of the product.

Others

• Be careful of the weak part of the kitchen bench tops, for example the front & rear of the sink and cook top. Downward pressure to these area&#;s will cause cracking or breakage.

Granite

Don'ts

• We do not recommend placing very hot items (such as saucepans and oven pots) directly on any stone based bench top surface, as this can cause extreme THERMAL SHOCK. Granite is heat resistant up to between 150 and 200 Celsius in emperature; Damage may not be noticed immediately if this is done regularly, however over time hairline cracks may appear reducing the strength of the product.
• Do not use chemical products for cleaning such as acid like chemicals, on your new bench top as this can cause a build up eventually taking away the high gloss finish that granite & marble achieves.
• Lighter colored granites will be more prone to staining than darker ones. Wiping spills immediately will help avoid most potential staining. Your bench top is sealed with stain-resistant sealer after installation. We recommend regularly re-sealing your granite according to the sealer&#;s instruction. (Available to purchase at New Millennium)
• Products such as coffee, red wine, cooking oils, butter, lemon juice, tomatoes and anything else acidic should be wiped off the bench top as soon as possible. Take care to use the proper cleaning agents; those that are ammonia based can etch the granite and dull its polish. We at New Millennium have a range of cleaning and maintenance products available to purchase. Please call us for further information.
• While cutting directly on granite surfaces will not affect the large majority of granites, cutting boards are recommended. Repeated use of a knife in the same place on a granite bench top eventually wears down the polish and will blunt your knives.
• Be careful of the weak part of the kitchen bench tops, these are normally; for example at the front & back of the sink and cook top. Downward pressure to these area&#;s will cause cracking or breakage.
• Although granite is a solid and strong material it will not expand or contract to any measurable degree and therefore should not be subjected to excessive weight, stress or extreme temperatures. This can cause granite to fracture or crack when used as a workbench!

Engineered Stone

The Do's

• Due to its features, CaesarStone requires very little maintenance to keep the surface looking like new. For everyday routine cleaning we recommend wiping the surface with warm soapy water (a mild detergent) and a damp cloth or alternatively use a quality spray and wipe type cleaner.
• To remove adhered materials like food gum and nail polish, first scrape away the excess with a sharp blade. If there are any grey metal marks on the surface, a mild detergent will remove it.
• Household bleach can generally be used as an effective cleaner to remove stubborn marks but care should be taken as some products are considerably stronger than others.
• For removal of extra stubborn dried spills and stains or if you wish to give your CaesarStone bench top or surface a thorough clean then we recommend using cream cleaner and Never Scratch All-Purpose Scrubber which can be used without damaging the stone or alternatively applied to a damp cloth. © CaesarStone

The Don'ts

• CaesarStone will tolerate brief exposures to moderately hot temperatures, however please avoid prolonged contact with very hot pots, pans, electric frying pans and oven trays directly from the hotplate or out of an oven onto the surface of Caesarstone. We always recommend the use of a hot pad or trivet to place hot items onto.
• As with any surface, CaesarStone can be permanently damaged by exposure to strong chemicals and solvents that undermine its physical properties. So, do not use products that contain trichlorethane or methylene chloride such as paint removers or strippers.
• Avoid any highly aggressive cleaning agents like oven cleaner that have high alkaline/PH levels. Should the surface be accidentally exposed to any of these damaging products, rinse immediately with water to neutralise the effects. © CaesarStone

Are you looking to make your dream home in Perth and are confused as to what is the right material for your kitchen? Granite benchtops are the way to go for those with the means and taste for the finer things in life. There are many reasons why people opt for granite kitchen benchtops. These are not cheap but are still the best idea for your kitchen. This explains their growing popularity. 

Now, every kind of material has its own unique pros and cons. Whether you are looking for a classic and opulent home or are looking at the practicality of granite for your busy family kitchen, at Master Tops, there are so many options to choose from.

In this article, we are going to go over why granite benchtops in Perth are a great idea for your kitchen.

Why Granite Benchtops Are Great

Think Benchtops Think Durability

Granite is great and does not get easily affected by the regular wear and tear that occurs in a home or commercial kitchen. Granite kitchen benchtops are highly resistant to stains and scratches. Thus making these benchtops a great choice for your home or professional kitchen.  With a granite stone benchtop, you can cut up things, slice, and dice straight on the surface and not worry about breaking it. However, it might be bad for your knife. Granite stone benchtops are a lot more scratch-proof compared to other options on the market.

Benchtop Granite looks cool.

These granite kitchen benchtops look awesome. All slabs of granite are unique, with pretty patterns and lots and lots of colours to choose from. Thus, because there are so many options when it comes to getting a granite benchtop you can get just about any design and style. In case you cannot find what you are looking for, Master Tops would almost certainly be able to get what you are looking for.

Easy Maintenance of kitchen bench tops

When you have installed your dream white granite benchtop, rest assured that keeping it in great shape is easy. Regularly clean the granite with soap and water. This is usually sufficient to keep granite looking great.

Heat Resistance and Benchtop Granite

If you are looking for a stone that does not heat up easily, then granite is the way to go. It can manage pans and hotpots without getting damaged. However, remember that thermal expansion is not easy to manage. Thus, it would be smart to use wooden breadboards or trivers when putting down very hot things. This heat resistance is a great feature in a kitchen where accidents, of course, can happen no matter how well-managed the kitchen is. Lastly, your granite bench will not overheat. This is a huge problem with engineered tops.

Longevity

If you take good care of your granite benchtops, they will last a long time. Thus, making it a wise choice for your home.  Unlike a couple of other materials which might require replacement or refinishing some years down the road, granite keeps its functionality and beauty for a very long time. This long life means you actually save money in the long run because you will not need to spend money over and over again every few years. 

Are you interested in learning more about granite benches? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!

Your Home Gains Value

Your property will command a higher sale price with the right kind of granite benchtops. A white granite benchtop is considered to be a premium feature in any high-end property. This can attract potential buyers and raise the property&#;s resale value.  So, this is not just an investment in making your kitchen look good. However, you can actually make more money with the increased valuation compared to the cost of getting your dream white granite benchtop. 

Large Slab Format

You can choose these huge dimensions according to your preference. This can be of particular use in larger kitchens with a heavy workload. 

Cons of Granite Benchtops

Installation Complexity

You need to go to a professional company like Master Tops. Not everyone can pull off a great granite benchtop flawlessly. 

Sealing Required

While granite is quite stain-resistant, you still have to keep its appearance and prevent staining; frequent sealing is necessary. Depending on the kind of granite and the degree of use, you might need to reseal the benchtop every few years. A few darker granites, however, are very dense, so they do not need sealing at all, so check with your vendor.

White granites and lighter tones mostly need a quick seal. You can do this on your own at a typical cost of $40 per seal.  This upkeep can be seen as a slight inconvenience compared to the great benefits of granite. However, it&#;s important to know about this maintenance requirement.

Weight

Granite is much heavier in comparison to chipboards. However, almost any kitchen can handle the weight without the need for any kinds of modifications. Reach out to Master Tops to see exactly what solution would work for your kitchen. 

Conclusion 

Using Granite is a great idea for kitchens. This is because of their durability, great looks, heat resistance, and value addition. However, they do cost a bit more and are for those with more refined tastes. Also, in some instances, you might need professional installation. Also, you will benefit from yearly maintenance. It is a must to weigh both the upsides and downsides of using granite benchtops in Perth.

The great thing about these granite benchtops is that they actually add value to your home. So, if you are thinking of installing a granite benchtop, think about it like a business investment,, which gives a great return on investment in terms of the value addition to your home.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website memorial granite benches.