Care and Maintenance Guide

Both our manufacturers combine approximately 93% natural quartz and granite with a high performance acrylic polymer in the manufacture of its stone panels and pride themselves in creating a natural surface that not only is very hard wearing, but virtually maintenance free. As with all natural products, care does need to be taken to ensure that the natural beauty of the surface is retained in the years ahead.

As a guide, we have put together the following tips on how you can provide the minimal care required to keep your surface in its original condition. Please take time to read them.

Everyday Spills

These can be easily cleaned away with a damp soft cloth and warm soapy water.

For slightly more stubborn spills, use a non abrasive household cleaners or stone detergent can work well.

Difficult & Adhered Spills

Items that may have become adhered to the surface can be removed by first scraping away excess material with a sharp blade or plastic scraper followed by wiping with a damp cloth and a non abrasive cleaner to remove any residual marks.

A mild household bleach can also be used as an effective cleaner on stubborn stains but care must be taken when using these products as some are considerably stronger than others. We recommend not to ‘spot clean’, wipe the whole area.

Always wash the surface with warm soapy water after having applied bleach.

What to avoid when cleaning the surface

The surface can be permanently damaged if exposed to strong chemicals, acids and solvents. Never use products that contain trichlorethane or methylene chloride such as paint strippers, hair dyeing products etc. Also avoid aggressive cleaners which have high alkaline and PH levels such as oven cleaners.

Should the surface be exposed to any of these products make sure you rinse it immediately with water.

Heat Exposure

Generally resistant to heat but as with any stone product, damage can be sustained by sudden temperature changes. Use a trivet or hot pad when placing hot pans on the surface and under any appliances such as electric fry pans and grillers etc that are to be used on the natural surface.

Durability

Granite and quartz are among the hardest natural products and as such the surface is highly resistant to cracks, chips, scratches and stains. However, excessive force and/or pressure from objects can damage the surface.

Do not use your benchtop as a cutting board. Very sharp knives could cause small scratching, and if not, it may blunt the edges of your knives. In the unlikely event of damage to the surface, the surface may be repairable by a trained professional such as your installer.

Sunlight

Continuous long-term exposure to direct sunlight (UV rays) may result in some discoloration of the surface. Our products are not warranted for external use.

Keeping the surface looking great

In addition to the normal cleaning outlined above, occasional treatment with a wet look colour enhancing sealer will keep the surface looking its best and maintaining its lustre.

If you have a honed or burnished surface, additional care will be required to maintain the surface. These finishes have a greater exposed surface area and as such metal marks, finger prints and other signs of daily living will show up more easily. Most of these marks can be easily removed with little effort and non abrasive cleaning products. For honed or burnished surfaces, treat the surface with a wet look colour enhancing sealer regularly.