Duke Stone of Cornwall design, supply and install premium bespoke stone surfaces including quartz worktops, granite, marble, porcelain and sintered stone for kitchens, bathrooms and luxury interiors across Cornwall. Working with homeowners, developers and designers in Truro, Falmouth, Newquay, Wadebridge, Padstow, Rock, St Austell and surrounding areas, we combine expert craftsmanship with contemporary coastal inspired design.
📘 Duke Stone Buying Guide #04
A practical guide to cleaning, protecting and maintaining stone worktops in everyday use. Updated: September 2026 | Reading time: 13 minutes
Simple daily habits help a well-made stone worktop keep its appearance for years.
Granite, quartz and porcelain worktops are all durable, but they should not be cared for in exactly the same way. Granite is natural stone and may need sealing. Quartz is an engineered surface that is normally non-porous but needs protection from excessive heat. Porcelain is dense and low maintenance, although its edges and the complete installation still deserve sensible care.
The safest routine is simple: wipe spills promptly, use warm water with a mild product approved for the surface, rinse away residue, dry with a soft cloth, use chopping boards and keep trivets beside the hob and oven. Strong chemicals, abrasive pads and improvised stain treatments can create a larger problem than the original mark.
This guide explains how to care for granite, quartz and porcelain worktops, what to avoid and when to ask Duke Stone or the surface manufacturer for advice.
Quick Answer
For everyday cleaning, remove crumbs, wipe the surface with warm water and a mild, non-abrasive detergent, rinse with clean water and dry with a soft cloth.
For protection, use a chopping board and a trivet every time, keep liquids from sitting around joins and cut-outs, and follow the care information supplied for the exact slab, brand and finish.
Do not assume one stain treatment suits every material. Granite, quartz and porcelain respond differently to cleaners, heat and sealing products.
Most day-to-day marks do not need a specialist treatment. A gentle routine is usually more effective than using a different chemical for every spill.
Remove loose crumbs and grit. Wipe them away before using a damp cloth so they are not dragged across the finish.
Clean with warm water and a mild detergent. Use a soft cloth or non-abrasive sponge. If the product label does not clearly state that it suits your worktop, check before use.
Rinse away cleaner residue. Too much soap can leave a film that looks like a dull or greasy mark.
Dry the surface. A clean microfibre or soft cotton cloth reduces streaks and water marks, particularly on dark or highly polished surfaces.
Pay extra attention around taps, drainer grooves, sinks, hobs, joins and the bases of small appliances. Water, oil and cleaning residue are more likely to collect in these areas. Avoid flooding the worktop; the slab may be water resistant, but cabinetry, joints, sealants and appliance details are also part of the installation.
Product-specific advice comes first: Stone names describe broad material groups. The exact brand, finish, treatment and installation details can change the correct cleaning method. Keep the care information supplied with your worktop and check it before treating a stubborn mark.
Granite, Quartz and Porcelain Care at a Glance
Care Question
Granite
Quartz
Porcelain
Everyday cleaner
pH-neutral stone cleaner or mild detergent approved for natural stone
Warm water and a mild, non-abrasive detergent
Warm water and a mild detergent, followed by rinsing and drying
Does it need sealing?
Some granites and finishes do; ask about the exact stone
Normally no
Normally no
Heat protection
Use a trivet despite granite’s strong natural heat resistance
Always use a trivet or heatproof mat
Use a trivet to protect the complete installation and follow product guidance
Chopping
Use a chopping board
Use a chopping board
Use a chopping board and protect exposed edges
Main caution
Avoid acids, abrasive cleaners and unsuitable sealing products
Avoid excessive heat, harsh chemicals and abrasive cleaning
Avoid hard impact at edges and unapproved chemical treatments
If you are still deciding between the three materials, read Duke Stone’s detailed guide to granite vs quartz vs porcelain worktops. It compares appearance, durability, heat, maintenance, outdoor suitability and cost before you choose.
How to Care for Granite Worktops
Granite is a natural igneous stone. Different granites vary in colour, mineral composition, porosity and finish, so the care advice for one slab should not automatically be applied to another.
Daily Granite Cleaning
Use warm water with a small amount of pH-neutral stone cleaner or mild washing-up liquid approved for natural stone. Wipe with a soft cloth, rinse and dry. Blot spills rather than spreading them across the surface, especially oil, wine, coffee and strongly coloured foods.
Avoid vinegar, lemon-based cleaners, acidic descalers and abrasive powders as routine granite cleaners. Granite is generally a siliceous stone, but individual slabs may contain acid-sensitive minerals, and unsuitable products can also affect the finish or treatment.
Does Granite Need Sealing?
Some granite worktops benefit from an impregnating sealer, while other dense stones need little or no sealing. A sealer does not make granite stain proof; it gives you more time to deal with spills by reducing absorption.
Do not reseal by calendar alone or apply a general-purpose product without checking the stone and existing treatment. Duke Stone can advise whether the surface needs attention and which product is suitable. Our guide Does Natural Stone Need Sealing? explains the difference between stone types and why sealing intervals vary.
Protecting Granite
Use chopping boards to protect the finish and your knives.
Use trivets under cookware, despite granite’s strong heat resistance.
Wipe oil and coloured spills promptly.
Do not use the worktop as a step or place excessive weight across an overhang.
Ask for professional advice if a crack, chip, persistent dark patch or change in finish appears.
Quartz worktops are engineered surfaces made with mineral content, binders and pigments. They are normally non-porous and do not require sealing, which makes everyday care straightforward. The binders also mean quartz must be protected from very high heat and sudden temperature changes.
Daily Quartz Cleaning
Use a soft cloth or non-abrasive sponge with warm water and a mild detergent. Rinse and dry the surface so soap, grease and hard-water residue do not build into a dull film. On dark or textured finishes, fingerprints and residue can be more visible, so drying the whole area is particularly helpful.
For a dried spill, soften it with water first. If the manufacturer permits it, lift the residue gently with a plastic scraper held at a shallow angle, then clean, rinse and dry. Do not use a metal blade or abrasive pad.
What to Avoid on Quartz
Direct heat: Keep trivets or heatproof mats beside the hob and oven, and use appropriate protection beneath heat-producing appliances.
Strong chemicals: Oven cleaner, paint stripper, concentrated bleach, aggressive solvents and highly alkaline or acidic products can damage some quartz surfaces.
Abrasive products: Scouring powders and harsh pads can change the sheen.
Sealers and waxes: Quartz does not normally need them, and they may leave a film.
Direct chopping: Use a board to protect the finish and avoid metal marks.
Different quartz brands publish their own lists of approved products and stain treatments. Check that information before treating a persistent mark. Explore Duke Stone’s quartz stone surfaces and exclusive Coastal Range quartz worktops.
How to Care for Porcelain Worktops
Large-format porcelain worktops are dense, low-porosity surfaces with strong resistance to heat, stains and UV exposure. They do not normally need sealing. Everyday cleaning is usually limited to warm water, mild detergent, rinsing and drying.
Daily Porcelain Cleaning
Wipe with a soft cloth or non-abrasive sponge. Rinse away detergent and dry the surface, especially on dark, silk or textured finishes where residue may be more noticeable. Rehydrate dried food with water before trying to lift it; avoid aggressive scraping.
Protecting Porcelain Edges and Finishes
Porcelain is very hard, but hardness does not make an edge immune to a heavy impact. Take care with cast-iron pans, bottles and other hard objects around exposed corners, sink cut-outs and dishwasher edges. Use a chopping board and avoid striking or levering against the worktop.
Some porcelain manufacturers approve stronger products for specific marks. That does not mean the same product is safe for another slab, finish, sealant or adjacent material. Start with the mildest method and check the technical care sheet before progressing.
Responding quickly is more important than reaching immediately for a strong chemical. Use this sequence:
Remove the source safely. Lift away food or an object without scratching the surface.
Blot liquid spills. Do not spread oil, wine or coloured liquid over a larger area.
Clean gently. Use the everyday method approved for the material.
Rinse and dry. Check the area in natural light once residue has been removed.
Identify the material and the mark before doing more. A greasy film, limescale, dye, rust and a change in surface finish need different responses.
If the mark remains, photograph it in good light and note what caused it, how long it was present and which products have already been used. Contact Duke Stone or the surface manufacturer before applying a poultice, solvent, acid, bleach solution, abrasive or stain remover.
Never mix cleaning chemicals. In particular, mixing bleach with ammonia or acids can release dangerous gas. Keep products in their original containers and follow the safety instructions on the label.
Water Marks and Limescale
Drying around taps, sink edges and drainer grooves reduces mineral build-up. Do not assume that vinegar or a household descaler is suitable: acids may affect natural stone, and concentrated products can harm other surfaces or sealants. Use the method approved for the exact worktop.
Oil and Grease
A fresh greasy film may need little more than mild detergent, careful rinsing and drying. A dark patch that remains in natural stone may indicate absorption and should be assessed before treatment. Repeatedly adding cleaner can make the affected area larger.
Metal Marks and Rust
Metal transfer can sit on the surface, while rust can be a chemical stain. The correct treatment depends on the material. Do not reach for an abrasive powder or acidic rust remover until you have checked the relevant care sheet.
Heat, Scratches, Edges and Joins
Use a Trivet on Every Material
Granite and porcelain offer strong heat resistance, while quartz is more sensitive to excessive heat because it contains binders. The safest rule is the same for all three: place hot cookware on a trivet or heatproof mat. This protects the surface, joins, sealants, repairs and surrounding cabinetry as a complete installation.
Direct chopping can leave metal marks, affect the finish and blunt knives. It also increases the risk of striking an edge or cut-out. A board is a simple layer of protection, whichever worktop you choose.
Protect Edges, Cut-outs and Overhangs
Avoid hard knocks around sink and hob openings, unsupported edges and external corners. Do not stand or sit on the worktop, and do not use an overhang as a step. If you are planning a new kitchen, the material, thickness and fabrication method influence the edge options; Duke Stone’s guide to choosing a stone worktop edge profile explains the main choices.
Look After Joins and Sealants
Wipe spills from joins rather than letting liquid pool. Do not pick at sealant or use a sharp blade to clean around a sink or splashback. If a joint, upstand or sealant line changes, ask for advice before water reaches the cabinetry below.
Using the same cleaner on every worktop. A product suitable for porcelain may be wrong for granite or quartz.
Leaving soap on the surface. More detergent does not mean a cleaner result; residue can create streaks and dullness.
Using vinegar as a universal cleaner. It is acidic and should not be treated as safe for every stone or adjacent material.
Scrubbing before identifying the mark. Abrasion can alter the finish and make a small problem permanent.
Applying granite sealer to quartz or porcelain. These surfaces do not normally need sealing.
Putting hot cookware directly on the worktop. A trivet is easier and cheaper than a repair.
Ignoring edges and joins. The most vulnerable area may be a corner, cut-out, joint or sealant line rather than the centre of the slab.
Attempting a structural repair. Chips, cracks, failed joins and loose pieces need professional assessment.
A Simple Stone Worktop Care Checklist
Every Day
Wipe spills promptly.
Clean with the mild method approved for the surface.
Rinse and dry around taps, sinks and drainer grooves.
Use chopping boards and trivets.
Every Week
Clean the full surface rather than only the busiest areas.
Move small appliances and remove crumbs, grease and moisture beneath them.
Check corners, joins, sink cut-outs and sealant lines.
Wash reusable trivets and boards so they do not transfer grit or grease.
Occasionally
Review the manufacturer’s care information before trying a new cleaner.
Check natural granite for signs that professional sealing advice may be needed.
Photograph and report a new crack, chip, persistent stain or joint change early.
Keep a record of the material name, manufacturer, finish and installation details.
Choosing a Worktop That Suits Your Routine
Care should be considered before a worktop is ordered. A homeowner who enjoys natural variation and accepts occasional sealing may prefer granite. Someone who wants broad design choice and straightforward daily care may favour quartz. Porcelain can be an excellent fit for slim contemporary designs, UV-exposed areas and low-maintenance use.
What is the best thing to clean stone worktops with?
For routine cleaning, warm water, a mild detergent approved for the material and a soft cloth are usually sufficient. Rinse and dry the worktop. Check the product-specific care sheet before using a specialist cleaner.
Can I use washing-up liquid on granite, quartz or porcelain?
A small amount of mild washing-up liquid may be suitable for many worktops, but the exact product matters. Avoid formulas containing abrasive particles, oils, acids or strong chemicals. Rinse thoroughly so soap does not leave a film.
Can I use vinegar to clean a stone worktop?
Do not use vinegar as a universal stone cleaner. It is acidic and can affect some natural stones, finishes, treatments and adjacent materials. Use a product approved for the exact surface.
Do quartz worktops need sealing?
Engineered quartz is normally non-porous and does not require sealing. Applying a stone sealer or wax may leave residue and can conflict with the manufacturer’s care guidance.
How often should granite be sealed?
There is no reliable interval that applies to every granite. The stone, finish, use and sealer all matter. Ask Duke Stone or the sealer manufacturer to assess whether treatment is needed and which product is appropriate.
Can I put a hot pan on granite or porcelain?
Both materials generally have strong heat resistance, but a trivet is still recommended. It protects the full installation, including joints, sealants and repairs, and avoids sudden temperature changes.
Can a chipped worktop be repaired?
Some chips can be professionally repaired, depending on their position, size and material. Keep the broken piece if it is safe to do so, photograph the area and avoid attempting a DIY resin or adhesive repair before asking the fabricator.
Why does my worktop look smeared after cleaning?
Soap, grease, hard-water minerals or a cleaning product can leave a film. Clean a wider area with the mild method approved for the surface, rinse thoroughly and dry with a clean cloth. If the appearance remains, ask for advice before using a stronger product.
Care Advice for Your Exact Worktop
A well-made worktop should be easy to live with. The key is to use a routine that matches the material rather than relying on aggressive cleaning. Wipe spills promptly, rinse away residue, keep trivets and chopping boards within reach, and ask before treating a persistent stain.
Duke Stone supplies, templates, fabricates and installs bespoke granite, quartz and porcelain worktops across Cornwall. If you are unsure which surface you have, need care advice for a current worktop or are planning a new kitchen, contact Duke Stone for practical, project-specific guidance and a tailored quotation.
