6 things to remember when maintaining your new surface.

To ensure greater durability and hygiene, the correct care and cleaning of a home surface is pivotal. Whether it is a child’s grubby fingerprints, or a red wine spill, the following are 6 things, which should help you keep your surface looking brand new regardless of whether your surface is stone, laminate or ultra compact.

Most surfaces have their own recommended cleaning product

It may seem like a certain company is pushing ANOTHER product on the customer, but this is a saving grace as it ensures that you will get a product that has no chemicals that will harm the surface. Caesarstone, the worlds first engineered quartz surface, has a range of products which they have developed such as Cream Cleanser, Caesarstone spray Cleaner, and for everyday use, the Caesarstone wipes. Similarly, Consentino made a Silestone specific cleaning product, which can be purchased online under the name of ‘Q -Action’. However, if there isn’t a specific brand name product listed most sites recommend a low Ph surface cleaner with warm soapy water to remove everyday spills and grime.

All websites offer a strict maintenance guide

If you are unsure what can and can’t be used to clean your surface, the vast majority of company’s sites dedicate a page to the specifics of surface maintenance. These pages clearly outline the best way to get the most out of your surface through videos (see Caesarstone’s below), diagrams and lists. This is vital because in all warranty guidelines (also found online) correct cleaning and maintenance are outlined as necessities when considering defects. These sites often suggest to avoid exposure to sun (unless stated otherwise), and avoiding unnecessary pressure and contact with heat.

Most surfaces are already relatively non-porous

Some surfaces absorb less liquid than others, but generally most engineered and ultra compact surfaces work well in avoiding any stains. This can be achieved by the resin or polish but by also the composition of the product during manufacturing. Therefore through care, the surface remains stain resistant. However, there is a reason that most companies use words such as resistant, and that is that there is always a chance that some liquid will be absorbed. An example of this is natural stone surfaces such as granite and marble, which if not regularly sealed, are extremely prone to staining.

Stay away from bleach and other chemicals

Some household chemicals can seriously damage a surface. These include oven cleaner, paint stripper and nail polish remover, all of which can be found within an everyday home. If a spill does occur where chemicals are involved, it is best to use a product specific to the brand, or something which is advertised as a surface cleaner to avoid ALL risk. Any liquid which has a high Ph or alkaline level can cause severe damage to your surface.

Surfaces with nano technology maintain hygiene the best

Some surfaces are designed using nano technology, which on completion, does not absorb the simplest forms of moisture. An example of this is Fenix, the matt material does not even absorb natural oil from fingerprints and is extremely easy to maintain. It is highly scratch resistant and any micro scratches that do occur can be repaired with exposure to heat, this kind of surface is ideal for homes with young children and busy kitchens. The less porous a surface is, the fewer bacteria that can build up on the surface. This is what separates the surface for use in areas where food is prepared. On the other hand, natural stone surfaces such as granite or marble can stain easily and require regular resealing to ensure minimal damage.

Be quick!

It is almost self explanatory, but with any liquid, the longer you leave it on a surface the greater risk you run of it being slightly absorbed into the surface, thus significantly harder to remove. If you wait too long, that red wine stain could haunt you for the rest of your life!

Has anyone out there had any bad experiences with staining? Comment below and let us know!

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