How to Protect & Maintain your Engineered Stone Benchtops Properly

There are many good reasons why many people prefer engineered stone benchtops over other options; one of them being that they perfectly blend modern sophistication and classic luxury with unparalleled durability and strength. Because of the various lifestyle and practical benefits that this material can bring, it has quickly gained popularity in multiple markets across the world.

Like any other piece of furniture in your home, it’s essential that you properly maintain your engineered stone benchtops to ensure that they remain looking and functioning in top condition in your household for a long time. At Aurora Stone, we always try to find ways that help our clients get the best value for their money, and for us, this also means providing advice as to how to keep what they’ve bought in good condition for decades to come. In this article, we will walk you through the proper ways to clean your engineered stone benchtops.

General Cleaning Tips for Engineered Stone Benchtops

One of the great things about engineered stone is that it is virtually maintenance-free. Since its surface is hard and non-porous, it is easy to clean. This also means that you won’t have to regularly seal it to ensure that it maintains its lustre. Using soap or mild detergent with water will generally suffice in keeping your engineered stone benchtops looking new. If some spills seem more challenging to clean, you can use a non-abrasive soap with a delicate scrub pad to get rid of them. Finish the process by thoroughly rinsing the surface with clean water.

Removing Stubborn Stains or Spills

If you need to remove adhered material such as gum, food, dried paint or nail polish, use a plastic putty knife to scrape it off. Apply a non-abrasive household cleaner that will not dull the shine of the surface. After that, use a damp cloth to remove residual dirt or marks. Again, we remind you to use a no-scratch cleaning pad and a non-abrasive detergent. That said, it is also ideal to use a product specially formulated for stone surfaces.

Dealing with Heat

The common misconception about the Mother of Dragons, Daenerys Targaryen, is that she is entirely fire-proof. The truth is, she has a higher resistance to heat—it is no magic. The same is true with engineered stone. The material can resist heat up to some degree, but it is not heat-proof. Accidentally placing a hot pot on the surface for a few seconds will not scorch it; however you should avoid doing this for a sustained period as it can damage the surface. In light of this, we recommend using a trivet or hot pad to prevent heating your engineered stone benchtop.

Avoid These Cleaning Agents

When you expose your engineered stone countertops to strong solvents and chemicals, you can damage their physical properties; therefore you should avoid cleaning the surface with products that contain methylene chloride or Trichloroethane, as well as highly aggressive cleaning solutions intended for grilles or ovens. If a dishwasher polishing agent’s pH level is outside 5-11, do not use it on your engineered stone benchtop.

It’s also vital that you rinse products with powders and oils thoroughly. If you accidentally expose the surface to any of these damaging products, make sure you rinse them immediately with clean water to neutralise the effect.

How to Deal with Various Types of Stains and Debris

To help you clean and maintain your engineered stone benchtops properly, we have recommended some tips on how to deal with specific types of stains and debris.

Synthetic or Natural Oil

Types of stains: Canola oil, olive oil, and machine oils, among others

Acceptable Cleaning Products:

• Non-abrasive cleaning product specifically designed for engineered stone
• Natural Bleach
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Alcohol-based degreaser with mild qualities

Cleaning Instructions:

1. Apply a small amount of the cleaning solution on the affected area.
2. Let the product sit on the stone’s surface for around five minutes.
3. Use a paper towel or a damp cloth to wipe the surface clean. You will notice the material disintegrating with ease.

Cosmetics

Types of stains: Medical creams, hair shampoo, and makeup

Acceptable Cleaning Products:

• Non-abrasive cleaning product specifically designed for engineered stone
• Alcohol (Methyl Hydrate)
• Hydrogen peroxide

Cleaning Instructions:

1. Get a damp cloth and apply the cleaning product to it.
2. Wipe the affected area.
3. Wait for about three to five minutes, then wipe the surface, using a clean cloth.

Metal

Marks left by metal kitchen tools like pots and knives

Acceptable Cleaning Product:

• White latex eraser

Cleaning Instructions:

1. Use the white latex eraser on the metal mark with gentleness.
2. Use a damp cloth to clean the affected area.
3. If necessary, use a non-abrasive cleaning product on the mark.

Metal Rust

If you leave items with corrosive qualities on the engineered stone for a prolonged period, they may leave rust stains on the surface.

Acceptable Cleaning Product:

• Oxalic acid

Cleaning Instructions:

1. Apply a powdered or cream cleaning product on the affected area.
2. If you’re using a powdered product, let a damp paper towel or cloth sit on top of the area to keep the product moist.
3. Wait for ten minutes, then use a wet cloth to wipe off the residue.
4. Rinse the surface, then wipe it again, using a wet cloth.

Other Stains

Types of Stains: Candle wax, blood, soap stains, adhesive tape residue, and hard water deposits

Acceptable Cleaning Products:

• Non-abrasive cleaning product specifically designed for engineered stone
• Alcohol-based degreaser with mild qualities
• Alcohol (Methyl Hydrate)
• Vinegar

Cleaning Instructions:

1. For tough stains, apply the alcohol-based degreaser on the affected area.
2. Let the product sit on the surface for a few minutes.
3. Use a damp paper towel or cloth to wipe the surface.

If you’re dealing with hard water deposits, apply vinegar on the stain, then let it sit for a few minutes. Wipe off the residue using a damp cloth.

In general, caring for engineered stone should be easy; as long as you wipe off spills immediately, you won’t have to worry about dealing with stubborn stains later on. Here at Aurora Stone, we offer a range of engineered stone products from top brands. You can trust that the materials we provide are easy to clean and maintain, yet offer excellent aesthetic and functional benefits for your home.

Call Aurora Stone today for a free measure and quote!