Granite is a remarkably hardwearing material making it the perfect choice for bench tops. With a little maintenance your tops will look like new for many years to come. The following is a guide to general upkeep and stain removal.

General Cleaning
Clean water and a cloth are usually sufficient to keep polished granite clean. Heavily soiled tops can be cleaned more effectively with straight or diluted white spirits (window cleaners are another good alternative). Grime that will not lift off with the above can be removed by gently passing a razor blade over the surface ensuring it is not pushed into the top on either of the ends (i.e. the sharp edge should always be flat to the granite surface to avoid scratching). Scourers are not recommended as they may dull the polish.

Stain Removal
Stains will not be a problem if spills are cleaned promptly. As granite is slightly porous the longer any dirty water, oil, wine, etc. is left on the material the greater its chance of penetrating the stone. Marks can be diluted somewhat using white spirits. This can be done in two ways. The first is to soak a rag heavily with the spirit and let it stand on the stain for at least 3 hours (over night is preferable), check and repeat if necessary. The second method is to construct a ring of casting plaster around the stain and once dry, pour white spirits into the pen you have constructed. Again leave this for 3 hours, check and repeat as necessary.

Tough surface marks can be removed effectively with the use of water and the soft side of a cuttlefish back bone rubbed over the granite.

There may be extreme cases where the above methods will not remove stains, in this instance it is advisable to consult an expert.

Sealing
Sealing is especially beneficial for tops that are used frequently, or light in colour. There are many sealers available and all work by acting as a protective barrier between spilled substances and the stone. In most cases sealers will give the granite increased lustre or shine. Reapplication should be done every few months, or as required (always follow the manufacturers directions on application).

Tillett Natural Stone Industries uses a high grade sealer on every bench top before installation.