But it can be difficult to determine where you should be cleaning and which products are suitable for use on stone kitchen worktops.

Kitchen areas that need regular cleaning

Since the virus may be able to survive on metal, glass and plastic surfaces for as long as nine days, experts recommend that you focus on cleaning highly touched areas. 

This means prioritising surface areas which are in regular use or are used by multiple people at any one time, including:

• Kitchen worktops
• Tables
• Chairs 
• Door knobs
• Light switches
• Handles
• Sink basins
• Taps

How to disinfect your kitchen worktops

Not all stone kitchen worktops require the same care, so it’s important to understand what kind of treatments work for your kitchen surfaces.

Marble surfaces

If you’re a seasoned owner of marble worktops, you will know to avoid acidic or abrasive cleaners that can corrode the surface and damage the stone. 

However, you might not be aware of the following disinfectant cleaner options:

• Soap & hot water – Soap will not kill germs but it will remove pathogens and this the first step towards disinfection, according to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.
• Marble cleaner – There are plenty of cleaning products that have been designed to sanitise and clean natural stone surfaces, including Seventh Generation cleaner and disinfectant.
• Mould and mildew remover – This product contains disinfecting ingredients (bleach) in concentrations that have been specially formulated to be non-damaging on marble countertops.
• For more tips on how to clean marble and remove stains, check out our comprehensive marble cleaning guide.

Granite surfaces

Granite is an incredibly hard stone surface and it is significantly less porous than marble. But despite its solid structural qualities, you still need to avoid using acidic or chemical cleaners that can damage the colour of the stone.

Instead you should try:

• 70% isopropyl alcohol – Rubbing alcohol can be sprayed directly onto sealed granite countertops to kill off germs and bacteria. You just need to allow the product to sit for 3-5 minutes, then rise with water and allow to dry naturally or buff with a clean cloth.
• Microfibre cloths – A microfibre cloth should be used for daily wipe-downs and regular cleaning.
• To discover more helpful granite cleaning tips, take a look at our step by step guide to cleaning granite worktops.

Quartz surfaces

Quartz stone worktops are non-porous, stain resistant and do not need to be sealed.

Instead, it is recommended that you clean and disinfect quartz countertops daily as well as utilising the following solutions for sanitisation:

• Antibacterial detergents – A small amount of surface cleaner or antibacterial detergent can be used to remove stubborn stains and kill pathogens. You just need to ensure that you leave the mixture on your countertops for at least 3-5 minutes for it to be effective.
• Soapy water – Soap & hot water is an ideal solution for daily cleaning and sanitisation. It can help to remove bacteria and preps the surface for further disinfection.
• Click here to discover more ways to clean your quartz stone countertops.

When disinfecting your stone worktops or kitchen surfaces, experts recommend wearing disposable gloves to avoid contact with the virus. You should also wash your hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds after you’ve finished cleaning. That way you can ensure your home remains clean and you’re safe to enjoy your stone worktops from the safety of your home.

But if you’re still unsure how to remain safe, you can find helpful advice here and here. You can also visit the Food Standards Agency website for helpful cleaning and sanitation advice.

The post How to Disinfect Your Kitchen Worktops appeared first on Marble Supreme.

In order to keep your vanity unit looking its best, we’ve put together this simple guide with easy steps to follow and tips to ensure your vanity unit remains a statement in your home. Plus, we offer some great alternative, eco-friendly cleaning tips for you to consider.

GRANITE VANITY UNITS

Granite is one of the most popular choices for vanity units and countertops. It is naturally antibacterial and highly resistant to scratching and staining but it’s still important to maintain granite surfaces properly, and that includes understanding how to clean granite safely.

How To Clean Granite

To keep granite shiny, we recommend regular cleaning with a PH-balanced product or a mixture of detergent and warm water. You’ll need to remove any items from the surface of your bathroom vanity unit and wipe down the countertops with a soft microfibre cloth. Avoid using abrasive cleaners or scouring pads because they may scratch the surface, and remember to buff out any visible streaks afterwards.

Removing Stains From Granite

To remove oil-based stains like dirt or grease, we recommend a commercial alkaline degreaser. For tough, organic stains like wine or coffee, a commercial stone poultice is recommended but you can create your own (details to follow).

Eco-Friendly Cleaning Tips

If you’re trying to avoid using mass-produced, chemical-based cleaning products, we have collated the following green ways to maintain your bathroom vanity unit and countertop:

• Try creating your own natural cleaning products using household items. Simply add hydrogen peroxide or acetone to baking soda until a paste is formed. Spread the mixture over granite using a clean cloth and repeat as necessary. Wipe the area dry and remove any excess to prevent leaving any sticky or cloudy residue behind.
• Avoid using lemon, vinegar or acidic ingredients as they can damage the surface.
• Once clean, try adding a few small drops of essential citrus oil onto your countertops to keep your vanity unit smelling lemony fresh.

MARBLE VANITY TOPS

Marble, composed mainly of calcium carbonate, is a metamorphic rock. It can vary in colour from neutral whites and creams to pinks, greys, browns and black. With its rich colours and luxurious feel, Marble is another popular choice for stone vanity units and vanity tops. It is versatile to work with and keeping it clean is actually easier than you may think. Just be sure to avoid products containing acid.

How To Clean Marble

To maintain your marble vanity unit, we recommend that you wipe all of the surfaces regularly. You can choose to use a commercial marble cleaner but it is also possible to use plain soap and water. Simply spray the countertops with your chosen cleaning product and scrub the surface gently. Wipe away any excess residue with a clean wet cloth and repeat as necessary. Then rub the countertops dry and buff with a soft absorbent cloth.

Removing Stains From Marble

The key to removing stains from marble is correctly identifying the origin of the stain and then applying the most appropriate cleaning method.

Organic stains like food, paper or urine cause a pinkish-brown discolouration and can be removed using a mixture of water and a non-ionic detergent. For stubborn or tough stains, we recommend a mixture of equal parts water, white spirit and detergent. This will need to be shaken regularly to maintain the emulsion and prevent the mixture from separating.

Iron or rust stains are orange or brown in colour and can be removed using a stone poultice. However, deep-seated metal stains can sometimes be difficult to remove. Biological stains like mildew are common in bathrooms and wet rooms. To remove these, we recommend using ammonia or hydrogen peroxide. Although gloves should always be worn when handling these toxic chemicals.

Eco-Friendly Cleaning Tips

• Purchase an eco-friendly detergent at your local store or online. Mix a couple of drops with warm water and use a soft microfibre cloth to wipe down all surfaces. Next, use a clean, damp cloth to remove any sticky residue and buff away smudges with another dry cloth.

QUARTZ STONE VANITY TOPS

Quartz stone is made from one of the hardest minerals on earth and is arguably the most durable stone for your bathroom vanity unit. It comes in a variety of beautiful colours and patterns and is resistant to staining and scratching. It can even contain a resin which means it does not have to be sealed.

The specific cleaning requirements of your quartz stone will depend on the location within your home and how often it is used, but quartz is not hard to maintain. The following guide should help ensure you are able to keep your quartz countertops looking brand new.

How To Clean Quartz Stone

For routine cleaning, we recommend wiping surfaces with a mixture of warm water and soap. This should be done as often as required, but the more often this happens the better maintained your bathroom vanity top will be. To get rid of dirt, you can use a recommended putty knife but be careful to only scrape gently.

Removing Stains From Quartz Stone

To remove tough stains from your vanity units, you will most likely need a cleaner that is specifically made for quartz. If you’re unsure what’s safe to use then please ask a member of our team or check out our helpful FAQ section. We’re always happy to provide free advice and hope we can answer any of your questions.

Eco-Friendly Cleaning Tips

• Avoid using multi-purpose wet wipes and opt for liquid cleaning products and reusable cloths. This should save you money and reduce the number of wet wipes that end up in landfill.
• If you are set on using wet wipes, choose a biodegradable alternative and dispose of your wipes in the bin rather than flushing them away.

It all sounds simple and that’s because it is. Maintaining your stone bathroom vanity unit should never be a chore and we hope with these simple tips you’ll be well on your way to a sparkling surface.

NEED OUR HELP?

If you’d like to find out more about the various properties of Granite, Quartz or Marble stone then feel free to explore our blogs or get in touch with one of our team today. Our trusted worktop experts will be on hand to impart their advice and recommendations. Or if you fancy finding out more about our wide range of kitchen worktop materials and bathroom vanity tops, why not pop down to our Bristol showroom in Kingswood and talk to us in person.

The post How To Clean Your Bathroom Vanity Units & Countertops appeared first on Marble Supreme.

As a carbonate, marble is notoriously vulnerable to a variety of damage. It can be tricky to keep pristine if you aren’t attentive when it comes to cleaning it. 

If you’re a seasoned owner of marble worktops you probably already know to avoid anything that’s acidic or abrasive — lemons, vinegar and tomato juice are the main culprits of damage to the appearance of marble. Unfortunately, this includes avoiding anti-bacterial sprays (unless you can find one that doesn’t contain ammonia, vinegar or bleach). 

So, how do you clean marble worktops?

The simple answer:  Hot, soapy water and a dishcloth will be your worktop’s best friend.

If you’re looking for a regular cleaning routine the one below is perfect.

Instructions:

• Fill ¾ of a spray bottle with hot water.
• Mix in one tablespoon of a mild, liquid dishwashing soap.
• Shake the bottle gently to ensure the soap and water mix together.
• Spray generously onto the whole worktop (or focus on the problem area).
• Wipe the worktop with a hot, wet dishcloth, until the dirt and soap residue is gone.
• Dry the surface with a soft towel, using a buffing motion.

Why does marble need to be cleaned so often?

As a soft stone, marble is naturally quite porous. In high-traffic areas, such as kitchens, it can be exposed to a lot of rough and tumble. 

Marble is prone to the kind of damage that occurs through regular every-day use of a kitchen. While some owners don’t view most of this damage as severe, etching and staining can be a headache for those who intend to keep their worktops in pristine condition. 

If you’re not afraid of your worktop gaining character, etching and staining are unlikely to scare you. 

What is etching?

Etches are areas of ‘dullness’ that can appear on your marble. Created when an acid reacts with the calcium carbonate (marble), etching occurs as the acid eats away at the soft stone. Often described as looking like water spots, most etching is only visible in certain lighting or when looking from a certain angle. Some etching fades over time, and there are methods such as applying poultice cleaning mixes (a baking soda and water paste) that can help reduce the visibility of these dull marks. 

The best way to avoid etching is through the use of cutting boards and butcher blocks. Cutting anything directly on the surface is a no-go, especially if it’s a fruit or vegetable. However, if you or anyone in your household is an avid baker, the natural coolness of a marble worktop is ideal for rolling out any dough or pastry. 

What about stains?

Etches aren’t the only issue marble worktops owner’s face. Because it’s so porous, marble is also particularly susceptible to stains. Similarly to etching, the best way to avoid such damage is through care and diligent use of cutting boards. Spills can be harmless if quickly blotted away and then wiped clean with a hot, soapy cloth but owners will have to be wary, especially if the worktop hasn’t yet been sealed. 

Following a regular cleaning routine will certainly help to keep your worktops in good condition. The best way to avoid damage is through quick clean-up of spills and regularly sealing the worktop. 

TOP TIP: Check that it is necessary for you to seal your worktop as well as how often you should do so with your supplier. We use Dry-Treat on all of our worktops. 

Once the damage is done there are a few options available. If you don’t think you can live with etching or stains, you could look at getting a professional to buff out flaws. Alternatively, if your worktop is polished, many people opt for it to be honed to a matte finish to help improve the appearance of imperfections. 

In most cases, etching and staining are only visible in certain circumstances, and the worktop as a whole will continue to look flawless. If all else fails, it may be comforting to know that most superficial imperfections to the worktop’s surface fade with time.

In conclusion:

• DON’T use acidic or abrasive cleaners
• DON’T seal your worktop if it doesn’t require it
• DON’T use rough cloths on the surface
• DON’T cut directly on the surface

• DO use hot, soapy water and a dishcloth
• DO buff with a soft cloth until it’s completely dry 
• DO be quick to blot (not wipe!) spills with a paper towel or cloth
• DO consider embracing the uniqueness of your marble’s imperfections
• DO contact a professional if you need any help or advice!

If you’re interested in learning more about marble, you can explore our marble blogs or view the large variety of marble we stock.

The post How To Clean Marble Worktops appeared first on Marble Supreme.

Cleaning your quartz worktops doesn’t have to be a chore. In fact it can be far less work than you initially thought. Simply use a damp microfibre cloth with warm soapy water to clean up any initial spills. This will help prevent any spills or dirt from being absorbed into the stone. Avoid using any highly acidic or bleach based cleaning products as these can often damage the stone surface.

REMOVING STUBBORN STAINS

If any stubborn stains do occur, you can mix together your own quartz cleaning solution by mixing together isopropyl alcohol and dish detergent. Mix together a 50:50 solution of water and 91% isopropyl alcohol into a spray bottle. Spray onto the stone surface and allow to sit for 5 minutes, then rinse with water and wipe down with a clean microfibre cloth. This will remove excess soapy water and periodically disinfect your quartz worktops, restoring their natural shine.

AVOID HEAT AND SCRATCHING

Unlike other natural stones such as granite, quartz stone is not completely heat resistant and can crack or chip if exposed to heat for long periods of time. To avoid this use special trivets, or place mats when placing hot pots and pans on to the surface. Also, whilst quartz worktops are highly scratch resistant we would recommend using cutting boards as an extra precaution when preparing food on your worktops.

DRY TREAT SEALANT

As one of only two authorised dealers of Dry-Treat sealant in the South West, all of our worktops are sealed with a Dry-Treat world leading permanent impregnating sealer, for premium stain protection. We also provide you with our leading stone care product to keep your worktops looking beautiful and full of colour.

If you have any questions call us today and speak to an expert.

The post How To Clean Quartz Worktops appeared first on Marble Supreme.

So you have your beautiful new granite kitchen worktops, but how can you keep them looking new and shiny for years to come? Even some of the strongest materials around need care from time to time, and granite kitchen worktops are no exception. In this post we look at some of the most common and suggested practices for cleaning and maintaining your granite worktops.

PROLONGING YOUR WORKTOPS

Careful and regular cleaning will prolong the life and shine of your granite worktops. To avoid discolouration, prepare all meals on a chopping board and use trivets for hot pans. Using coasters under all glasses and cups will also help to prevent stains on your granite worktops. Whilst granite is a very durable and scratch resistant stone, if it does scratch, it is best to have it repaired by a professional.

Dos:

• Make sure your granite worktops have been sealed thoroughly in order to avoid oils, spills or stains soaking into the work surfaces. To check whether your granite worktop has been sealed, leave a few drops of water on the surface. If the water soaks into the granite after a few minutes then it may be time to reseal the stone.
• Wipe up any spills as soon as they are noticed, particularly if they are alcoholic, acidic or hot oily liquids.
• When cleaning your worktops use warm water, a mild dishwashing liquid and a microfibre cloth.

Don’ts:

• Don’t use harsh or abrasive cloths. Whilst granite is a highly durable material it is still possible to scratch the surface if you are not careful.
• Avoid using acidic cleaning products such as vinegar or chemical products such as bleach and ammonia as these can damage the colour of your stone.
• Avoid leaving fresh fruit or alcohol based products on your worktops for long periods of time as this can etch and dull the stone.

THE CLEANING PROCESS

In high traffic areas such as the kitchen, wiping down your granite worktops on a daily basis can help prevent stubborn stains, and maintain the natural beauty and shine of the stone. Cleaning your worktops is easy, simply follow these steps:

1. Fill your sink with warm water and add a few drops of mild dishwashing liquid, then thoroughly wet a clean dish cloth
2. Wipe down your worktops thoroughly.
3. Using a microfibre cloth or soft towel, dry and buff your granite worktops in order to avoid streaking.
4. Shine and disinfect your worktops with a water and isopropyl alcohol solution. Mix together a 50:50 solution of water and 91% isopropyl alcohol into a spray bottle. Spray onto the granite surface and allow to sit for 5 minutes, then rinse with water and wipe down with a clean microfibre cloth. This will remove excess soapy water and periodically disinfect your granite worktops, restoring their natural shine.
5. Enjoy the look of your lovely, clean worktops.

If you have any questions give us a call today!

The post Cleaning Granite Worktops: A Step By Step Guide appeared first on Marble Supreme.