preserving the beauty of your stone
granite
Clean up any spills promptly with warm water and a gentle cleanser to avoid them soaking into the granite and etching or staining it. For stubborn stains and residues, use a plastic object to scrape off the material and clean with a pH-neutral cleaner, then polish with a soft cloth.
Do not use bleach, abrasive cleaners and sponges, or aggressive alkaline detergents.
Always use pan stands for hot pots and pans.
Sealing granite with a good quality product will help protect it from staining. We stock Lithofin sealers and cleaners and recommend them as a safe and effective way of caring for it. Talk to our staff for more information.
marble
ACID ETCHING
Marble is a relatively soft stone and is more easily damaged than other natural stones, especially by exposure to acid which manifests itself as a loss of shine or reflectivity in minor cases, and roughness or cratering in more severe cases.
Avoid contact with acidic substances such as orange juice, wine, champagne, vinegar etc. and cosmetic products such as citrus-based shampoo, soap etc.
When a spill has occurred, immediately remove the substance by wiping inwards so as not to spread it and cause further damage.
Do not use abrasive or aggressive cleaning substances in particular limescale remover.
WATER-BASED STAINS
Coloured water such as tea, soft drinks and in fact just plain water depending on the area, can stain a marble top if it comes into prolonged contact with unsealed marble. Watermarks are particularly challenging to deal with. They can occur if a wet object is placed on the surface and left there until the fluid had thoroughly penetrated the surface. They manifest themselves as either leaching or staining depending on the chemical composition of the liquid.
Ensure that marble is regularly sealed with Lithofin StainStop. Please note that watermarks can still occur on sealed marble as the hydrostatic pressure of the liquid under the object will always force the water into the stone, although it will take longer and be less marked than on unsealed marble.
Always use coasters for bottle, cups and glasses.
Do not leave wet objects on marble surfaces.
other types of natural stone
For any type of natural stone, please follow the instructions for marble and granite. Please contact us for more detailed information..
silestone (quartz)
Always use a trivet or pan stand for hot pans, as they can damage the worktop.
Mop up any spills promptly using a gentle household cleaner with a pH of less than 10.
Do not under any circumstances use undiluted bleach, hydrofluoric acid, dichloromethane, NaOH - caustic soda, paint strippers.
Silestone recommends their own cleaner, Q-Action for deep cleaning your worktop.
Do not use water repellents or sealers to bring out the lustre.
Don’t forget to read full details on Silestone maintenance and to activate your 25-year warranty by visiting their website.
caesarstone (quartz)
Use soap and water or a mild detergent. For stubborn stains and stuck-on materials, you can use a non-abrasive soft soap along with a non-scratch scrub pad or plastic putty knife. Afterwards, rinse with clean water to remove the residue.
Nail varnish or chewing gum can be removed with denatured alcohol, rinsing thoroughly afterwards.
Never place hot pans directly onto the surface and use a pan stand under cooking units such as crock pots, electric frying pans and toaster ovens.
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 worktop with products that contain trichloroethane or methylene chlorides, 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.
Read full details of how to care for your Caesarstone worktop and don’t forget to register for your 15-year guarantee by visiting their site.
CRL Quartz
Use a damp cloth or paper towel and a small amount of mild soap or non-acidic cleaner to wipe off spills. Once clean, dry the surface thoroughly.
Use a chopping board for cutting
Use a pan stand or trivet for hot objects.
Do not allow dirt and residue to harden and remain on the surface. If they do, scrape gently with a small blade or putty remover before cleaning with mild soap or specialised stone cleaner.
Do not use strong chemicals and solvents, especially paint removers and furniture strippers containing trichloroethane or methylene chloride etc. If you should spill some on the surface rinse immediately and thoroughly.
Full details of how to care for your CRL Quartz are on their website and don't forget to register for your 25-year warranty by visiting their site.
other types of quartz
Please follow the same guidelines as for the brands above or refer to the manufacturer’s website.
dekton (sintered stone)
For general cleaning Cosentino recommend Q-Action, their own-brand cleaner, but gentle soap and water are fine for everyday cleaning.
For stubborn stains, various cream detergents and solvents can be used. However, it is essential to use the correct product for the type of stain. A list can be found by searching maintenance of Dekton on the Cosentino website. Do not use metal scouring pads.
Dekton is designed to withstand heat from pans etc. but should not be subjected to a direct heat source such as a barbeque or naked flame. 8mm thick Dekton should be protected from heat.
Take care not to knock corners, edges, bevels etc. as these may chip.
The Cosentino site gives full details of how to care for your Dekton. You can also register for your 25-year warranty by visiting their website.
stone treatment products
We carry a full range of Lithofin sealers, cleaners and stone care products and will be happy to advise you which to use to look after your particular stone.
To have easy access to the care & maintenance information