How to Care for Low and Zero Silica Worktops
How to Care for Low and Zero Silica Worktops
Low and zero silica worktops are easy to look after. Here is the simple routine that helps preserve the finish and keep your worktop looking its best.
The Short Answer
Low and zero silica worktops are easy to care for. Clean the surface with mild soap and warm water and a soft cloth. Avoid abrasive cleaners and harsh chemicals. To help preserve the finish use trivets for hot pans and a chopping board when preparing food. That simple routine is all most households will ever need.
Because composition varies from product to product it is always worth checking the care information for your specific surface. We share product information to help explain the materials we offer and our team is happy to talk you through the care routine for the surface you choose.
Your Everyday Care Routine
Looking after a low silica worktop is not complicated. The table below sets out the habits that keep the surface looking its best.
| Task | What to Do |
|---|---|
| Everyday cleaning | Use mild soap and warm water with a soft cloth |
| Spills | Wipe them up as they happen so they do not have time to settle |
| Hot pans | Use a trivet rather than placing a hot pan straight onto the surface |
| Preparing food | Use a chopping board rather than cutting directly on the worktop |
| Cleaning products | Avoid abrasive cleaners and harsh chemicals |
| Product guidance | Check the care information for your specific surface |
Following those few habits helps to preserve the finish and keeps the worktop looking good for years. None of it takes much time and most of it quickly becomes second nature in a busy kitchen.
See the Surfaces in Our Showroom
Visit our Elstow showroom to see low and zero silica surfaces and ask our team about caring for them. You will get clear advice and a no obligation quote.
Why Simple Care Works
Low silica worktops are engineered surfaces made from minerals and recycled materials with binders and a reduced amount of crystalline silica. They are designed to deliver the hardness and stain resistance and visual appeal you want in a kitchen. Depending on the specific product they may also be just as durable and easier to maintain than conventional options.
That is why the care routine is so straightforward. A soft cloth and mild soap and warm water deal with everyday marks without harming the surface. Harsh chemicals and abrasive products are the things to keep away because they can dull the finish over time. If you are choosing between surfaces our guide to What Are Low Silica Worktops explains what they are made from.
Building Good Habits
The easiest way to look after a worktop is to make the routine automatic. Keep a soft cloth by the sink so wiping up is quick. Leave a trivet and a chopping board where you will reach for them without thinking. Keep abrasive cleaners and harsh chemicals out of the way so they are not the first thing to hand when a mark appears. Small habits like these protect the finish far better than occasional deep cleaning.
It also helps to share the routine with everyone who uses the kitchen. A worktop is used by the whole household and a quick word about trivets and chopping boards means everyone helps to keep it looking its best.
What to Avoid
Most damage to a worktop comes from a small number of everyday habits. Knowing what to avoid is just as useful as knowing what to do.
Scouring powders and rough pads can dull the finish so choose a soft cloth instead.
Strong chemical cleaners are best avoided. Mild soap and warm water is usually enough.
Do not place hot pans straight onto the surface. A trivet protects the finish.
The same goes for cutting directly on the worktop. A chopping board protects both the surface and your knives and it takes no extra effort once it is part of your routine.
Dealing With Marks and Spills
Spills are part of life in a kitchen. The best approach is to wipe them up quickly with a soft cloth and a little mild soap and warm water. If a mark has dried on try warm soapy water first and give it a little time to soften before wiping again. Resist the temptation to reach for something stronger because abrasive cleaners and harsh chemicals can do more harm than the mark itself.
If a mark does not respond to gentle cleaning check the care information for your specific surface or ask our team. We are always happy to advise and we would rather help you protect the finish than see it damaged by the wrong product.
Common Questions About Care
How often should I clean my worktop?
Wipe up spills as they happen and give the surface a clean with mild soap and warm water and a soft cloth whenever it needs it. In a busy kitchen that usually means a quick wipe after cooking.
Can I put a hot pan straight onto the surface?
It is best not to. Use a trivet for hot pans to help preserve the finish of the worktop.
Can I cut food directly on the worktop?
Use a chopping board when preparing food. It protects the finish and it is a simple habit to build.
Who should I ask about my specific surface?
Our team is always happy to help. Composition varies from product to product so we can talk you through the care information for the surface you choose.
Is Care Different for Low and Zero Silica
The care routine described here applies to low and zero silica worktops alike. A low silica surface contains a reduced amount of crystalline silica while a zero silica product is identified as zero in crystalline silica content. In daily use the difference is not something you will notice and the cleaning routine is the same. Our guide to Low Silica vs Zero Silica Worktops explains the difference in more detail.
Mild soap and warm water and a soft cloth. Trivets for hot pans and a chopping board for food. Avoid abrasive cleaners and harsh chemicals.
Cleaning a Worktop and Silica Dust
It is natural to wonder whether everyday cleaning has anything to do with silica dust. It does not. The concern with crystalline silica relates to fine dust created when stone is cut and ground and polished. Wiping a finished worktop with a cloth is not that kind of activity. Our guide to Is Quartz Safe in Your Kitchen explains where the risk arises and why it applies to fabrication rather than daily life in the kitchen.
The one time to take care is if a worktop needs cutting or trimming after it has been fitted. That work should be done with proper dust controls by people who are trained to work safely. It is best not to cut or drill a worktop yourself without those controls.
Low Silica Worktops Guide
This article is part of our complete guide to low and zero silica worktops, covering the materials, the safety questions and how we work.
Explore the Full GuideTo explore the whole subject our Low Silica Worktops Guide gathers every article in the series in one place.
Protecting Your Investment
A worktop is a long term purchase so a little care goes a long way. Following the routine above helps the surface keep its looks and its finish. If you are weighing up the cost of different surfaces our guide to Are Low Silica Worktops More Expensive explains what affects the price and how to compare quotes fairly.
Where to Go Next
If you would like quick answers to common questions our Low and Zero Silica Worktops FAQs page is a good place to start. To see how we protect our own team read Our Commitment to a Safer Workplace.
Speak to the Precious Marble Team
If you would like advice on caring for a particular surface we are happy to help. You can also see the full range on our Low and Zero Silica Worktops page or visit our Elstow showroom.
To ask a question or arrange a quote, call our team on 01234 348 590 or request a quote online. We will talk you through the options and answer anything you would like to know before you decide.
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