The Essential Guide to Cleaning and Maintaining White Granite Worktops

An integral design element and the core functional unit in contemporary kitchens, worktops are in high demand across the UK. Exploring online and offline stores, you will come across a wide range of natural and engineered kitchen worktop materials. As far as popular natural stone countertops like granite, marble, and quartzite are concerned, the white granite worktop is a bestseller. The stunning visuals, luxurious aura, and high-end aesthetics of white granite make for highly elegant and inviting kitchen interiors. Even for stylish modern-day bathrooms, white granite evokes a sense of depth, tranquillity, and timeless beauty. Given its incredible physical endurance, durability, and functional advantages, your investment will remain worthwhile for years.

Cleaning and Maintaining a White Granite Worktop

When you hire certified worktop installers for white granite, they will take you through all the necessary steps to ensure that your white granite worktops remain clean, hygienic, and flawless at all times. It requires simple daily cleaning, occasional polishing, preventive care, professional repairs, and periodic sealing. All these important aspects are outlined below. 

Steps to Clean a White Granite Worktop

A simple daily cleaning regime will go a long way in keeping granite worktops spick and span in perpetuity. The best part is that you don’t require any special cleaning agents or tools. Just follow these simple steps and you are good to go!

1. Dilute any mild dish soap in warm water. 
2. Soak in a soft sponge/cloth and thoroughly wipe the worksurface, including hard-to-reach edges and seams.
3. Now rinse the sponge/cloth and use clean water to wipe away the soap.
4. Finally, use a dry lint-free cloth to wipe the surface dry and remove watermarks.

Sealing a White Granite Worktop

• Professional worktop installers will always seal granite worktops before installation. They will also guide you on the re-sealing process that should be conducted every 1-2 years based on the daily rigour the worksurface is subjected to. 
• Never use unsealed granite worktops because the surface pores will absorb moisture, grime, and grease, becoming a hotbed of microbial activity. 
• During the resealing process, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions to the hilt. The surface should be impeccably clean and dry before applying the sealant. Also, ensure leaving it on for the prescribed duration for complete absorption. 

Vital Steps for the Upkeep of a White Granite Worktop

1. Always use coasters below cold beverages placed on the worktop to prevent watermarks. Similarly, use tripod stands for hot pots and pans to avoid scorch marks.
2. Never chop vegetables or cut fruits directly on a white granite worktop. Using a chopping board will prevent scratches and knife marks.
3. Never use harsh cleaners or abrasives on white granite worktops. Diluted ammonia or a baking soda poultice is recommended to remove dried-out stains.
4. Clean food and beverage spills immediately to avoid tarnishing. Acidic beverages like wine and lemon juice can leave a whitish patch if spilled and left too long on the surface.

Polishing a White Granite Worktop

If you have opted for white granite worktops with a matte or sandblasted finish, polishing is not required. But these surfaces require dedicated cleaning because of the coarse surface texture that might harbour dirt if not wiped daily. For a white granite worktop with a high-gloss finish, occasional polishing may be required to maintain the sheen. Follow these steps to correctly polish granite worktops:-

1. Use granite-certified polishing compounds recommended by trustworthy worktop installers
2. Apply the polish in small circular motions and cover the entire surface step by step.
3. Gentle buffing is the next step. Always use a soft, clean, and dry cloth to buff granite surfaces.
4. If your decade-long white granite worktops have lost their lustre, use a high-grade granite enhancer to restore the shine. However, always consult your worktop manufacturer before purchasing any such compound. 

Spot Repairs for White Granite Worktops

While the likelihood of cracks or dents on granite worktops is very less, you should know what to do in these circumstances. The right thing to do is to call in skilled professionals. For small damage, they will use suitable epoxy-resin fillers. Any big damage will warrant replacing a part of the worktop. In either case, do not attempt DIY repairs as it might aggravate the damage.

Conclusion

If you are keen on upgrading your kitchen or bathroom with white granite worktops, always ensure you devote enough time and attention to make the right choice. Most often, the patterns on white granite are available in varied hues like grey, beige, blue, green, and pink. Thus, you need to physically examine a sample to assess how well it matches your cabinetry, fixtures, and lighting. Like marble, every slab of white granite is distinct and prone to natural faults, thereby warranting a professional team for installation. As long as you rely on reputable worktop installers and follow the above cleaning/maintenance guidelines, you can be assured of long-lasting, pristine white granite worktops adorning your home interiors for a lifetime.