The Maintenance of Worktops in Stone Italia

The secret to ensure the long lasting of the original aspect of the tops (kitchen or bathroom tops), is the correct cleaning of the same. In this writing, you will read information, suggestion and warning to maintain for a long time the aspect and functionality of your top. Today, we talk about STONE ITALIANA® tops. Attention: the publication of this article and of the following ones mirrors the alphabetic order of materials discussed.

THE STONE ITALIANA TOPS

The Stone Italiana working tops are 94% natural products. In fact they are (about) 94% made of siliceous sand and quartz while the remaining (about) 6% of structural polyester resins. The recomposed quartz produced by Stone Italiana allows to overcome limits related to the resistance to stains, hardness, absorption and reliability. Since they are not porous, the Stone Italiana working tops are highly hygienic. If you selected the shiny finish for your top, be aware that its main feature is the homogeneous and regular surface that does not retain dirt and it is easy to clean. If you selected the brushed finish for your top, be aware that its main feature is the non homogeneous and irregular surface. The roughness and wavy effect, the chaps and imperfections of various dimensions make each top unique.

WHAT DOES RUIN THE STONE ITALIANA® SURFACE AND WHAT CAN BE USED TO CLEAN IT

The Stone Italiana well stands scratches and abrasions caused by kitchen utensils yet to ensure a longer duration of the original aspect of the top, we advise You to always use chopping boards. The top is not affected by scratches but the metal can leave sings. Stone Italiana materials resists to the heat up to 140°C, yet the different types of pot now available on the market can reach significantly higher temperatures.  For this reason, remember to always place hot objects (pots, coffee makers, flat iron and similar items) on a pot mat or on other heat resistant supports and never directly on the top: the thermal shock is liable of causing the breaking of the top. Avoid using: alkaline products and concentrated strong acids, strong polish removing products, strong detergents, products with a high concentration of solvent, alcohol, acetone, stain removers, detergent with sodium hypochlorite as active substance (i.e. Amuchina), detergents with Marseilles soap or silicon components, wash&polish products as they can cause an irreversible bleaching of the surface and/or produce a dirt permeable opaque coat. For the ordinary cleaning of your top, we suggest to use a normal house detergent with neutral pH (i.e. Citrus detergent, Smac lemon degreasing  product, Cif for the kitchen etc.). Evenly wet the top surface with the soap, rub with a soft sponge (better if in microfiber), rinse and dry with a cloth.

SPECIFIC TREATMENTS FOR STONE ITALIANA® TOP SURFACES

In case of persistent dirt (for example: limestone, red wine, sparkling wine, coffee, tea, blood, oil, sauce, food remains, sugar substances, oily and greasy substances etc.) we suggest to use a slightly acid product. Evenly wet the top surface with diluted detergent (one part of detergent and two of water), rub with a soft sponge (better if in microfiber) up to the complete removal of remaining dirt, accurately rinse and dry with a cloth.  In case the spots are even more difficult to remove, apply directly on the sponge the non diluted detergent, rub lightly and rinse. It is possible that after a deep cleaning it is necessary to restore the protection of the top surface. The refurbishment depends on the use of the top, but rarely it is needed more than once a year. Evenly wet the top surface with a non diluted slightly acid detergent and leave working for about 10 minutes. Rub the surface lightly with an abrasive sponge until the residual dirt is removed. Accurately rinse and dry with a cloth. At this point, spray a small quantity of specific protection product on a dry and clean cloth and apply it on the top surface in a uniform manner. Wait at least five minutes and start rubbing to level out the product with a clean cotton cloth unit the surface has a revived color, without product surplus and oiliness. Leave it dry for a few hours before use.

In addition to the above, we suggest to request Stone Italiana to supply “Stone kit”, which is a specific box with the detergent and the specific protection product for the cleaning and maintenance of the top produced with Stone Italiana materials.