Skip to main content
Granite care and maintenance - Aviva Stone Granite South East

Granite care and maintenance

Granite care

How to care for your granite worktops

Thank you for purchasing your new granite worktops from Aviva Stone. Your granite is hundreds of millions of years old. It has been hued from the ground, cut and polished using the latest computerised machinery and finished by experienced craftsmen. Your granite will remain looking as good as the day it was fitted if it is properly maintained. Maintenance is very simple but there are a few do's and don'ts.

Do note that granites vary in hardness and porosity. Polished granite makes an almost perfect work surface for kitchens. However, it is important to note that granite will scratch and chip if mistreated. It is not impervious to abuse! Keeping your work surface clean could not be easier. All that is usually required for the most stubborn encrustation is a little warm water and washing-up liquid. Simply use a kitchen sponge, a little elbow grease and, hey presto, it's clean. All that is then needed is to wipe down with a dry paper kitchen towel. We do not recommend using a honed (dull finish) granite for a work surface since, even when sealed, it may absorb liquid and can be very difficult to cleanse hygienically. The process of polishing granite with abrasives and extreme heat seals the surface of the granite giving it a 'mirror-like' finish. A granite work surface will give many years of satisfactory service - after all, it's been around for 4,000 million years! It is an igneous rock that has been formed by solidification of molten matter (magma). The nature of an igneous rock depends upon the chemical composition of the original magma and upon the rate at which it cooled.

Maintenance of your worktop

If you follow most of the following suggestions your granite work top should give you years of relatively maintenance-free service. Avoid cutting directly on the work top with ultra sharp knives. Why? It is doubtful that your knife may damage the surface however it will most likely not do your knife any good. Cutting close to a work top edge could chip or damage the surface. However, it is possible to repair damaged or chipped edges.

Sealing your worktop

Some granites are definitely much more absorbent than others. Therefore, if it requires sealing, then this should preferably be completed with one of our Care Kits after installation. If the granite needs sealing then periodical maintenance should ensure few problems. Once properly sealed, the stone will be more resistant against everyday dirt and spills.

Do's and Don'ts with your granite worktop

DON'Ts

DON'T use vinegar, lemon juice, or other cleaners containing acids on your stone. DON'T use cleaners that contain acid such as bathroom cleaners, grout cleaners, or tub and tile cleaners. DON'T use abrasive cleaners such as dry cleansers or soft cleansers. DON'T mix bleach and ammonia; this combination creates a toxic and lethal gas. DON'T ever mix chemicals together unless directions specifically instruct you to do so.

DOs

DO clear up spillages immediately especially if is hot oil (or any type of oil), an acidic liquid such as red wine or citrus fruit juice, lemonade, cola etc, various vegetables and liquids such as beetroot or vinegar. DO not leave ripe fruit flesh like raspberries, strawberries or lemons for more than a few seconds. Use mats or trivets under hot dishes and all cookware. DO not use any abrasives or corrosive liquids for cleaning! Granite is a substance that quickly absorbs heat and distributes it out. We would recommend that extremely hot pans not be placed on or near small granite strips (up to 8") due to the fact that there is not enough material to distribute the heat. When placing hot pans on the countertop you will want to avoid coming in contact with the exposed area due to the extreme heat being deposited by the pan onto the granite.

In conclusion

If you have to wonder whether what you are doing is ok for your work top then don't do it until you have sought professional advice.

Granite is a very durable material and occasional abuse will unlikely result in permanent damage. We encourage you to use and enjoy your new worktops. Please feel free to contact us if you have a question or concern about the care of your granite worktops.