When it comes to cleaning your benchtop you want to make sure you do it right from the start especially when it comes to stone; this usually being the most expensive part of your kitchen. When dealing with stone, it is important you know which type you have, either natural or engineered. If you have a natural stone benchtop (Quartz, Granite etc), it does come with extra cleaning duties to make sure it continues to look as good as new. Engineered stone is made using both man-made and natural materials and is less expensive than natural stone. Engineered stone comes with fewer cleaning responsibilities but still needs to be kept on top of it. Highlighted below are the differences in cleaning natural and engineered stone benchtops and then the commonalities of these materials.
Engineered stone is produced from up to 90% of natural quartz and a polymer resin and therefore has been manufactured to be a heat-resistant material. However, it cannot be made to be completely heatproof, it is best to avoid placing hot objects directly on the stone as it can get damaged by sudden temperature changes.
It is a very strong material and has a lower absorption rate than Natural Stone which does greatly reduces the potential for bacterial growth and stains. Putting a chopping board underneath any pots, pans, or slow cookers will help relieve the possibility of discolouration.