For those with Granite Worktops..

[stilletoe]

Hi, just wondered for those with granite worktops, whether you would share with me any problems you have had with it??

I'm thinking of having black granite installed (in kitchen), but don't know anyone who has got granite. I don't know if it wears well or how to keep it clean.

Any advice on this would be welcomed.

Had it before, loved it. Just scrub it with any cleaning product. It is beautiful and indestructible.
You can spill on it, put hot pans on it, make pastry on it. Best thing for kitchen surfaces in my opinion.

Thanks for the advice. I'm surprized more people have not got granite.

It needs a lot of work to keep it clean as polished black granite needs polishing off every time you wipe it down otherwise it looks all smeared and horrible.

Just thought I'd mention it.

it does take alot of buffing, but an e-cloth does this easily, its not that much hassle and it does look lovely

Just moved into a house with them. Lovely, but ditto what sparkyToo says about smears. I wipe over with another cloth, like the ones you use on mirrors to get rid of streaks.

we have granite and love it for the same reasons AsiaMajor mentioned.
E cloths clean it nicely and Method (john Lewis, Waitrose) do a spray that we use just about twice a week but that keeps the smears away. Apart from when the brilliant sunshine comes through the window...... then you just have to look the other way!

My DH won't even contemplate granite because - depending on what part of the pluton your slab came from - it may be chocka with uranium.

This is what comes of having a DH who's a chemist with a hobby of geological rambles.

I have always wanted black granite and we moved into a place a few months ago that had it. We are planning to have the kitchen redone soon and I will NOT be having black again. I love having granite - it is so wonderful for all the reasons said here already, but black is a nightmare. It shows streaks, drips, etc. I can't keep it looking shiny and nice. I will be getting grey.

I have black granite and love it, even though I have to give it a polish to get rid of the smears. It just looks gorgeous.

My granite colour is called Blue Pearl and it's got sparkly bits in it. It doesn't show any smears and I have to feel if there is a crumb on it cos they don't show either. It's so fab. I waited many years to have a new kitchen and told my husband that if I didn't get granite worktops in my lifetime I was going to have a granite tombstone instead!

i use that mr muscle glass cleaner stuff

perfect spotless surfaces

Granite is beautiful and I agree with most of the above. Grease busting products are best for cleaning. As for colour, it's an individual choice of course. We went for a dark, hint of green (forget the name) and it's beautifully mottled with the quartz. imo I think the natural granites are the best, they have all sorts of irregular patches and the sparkly bits in them, vs the bland regular pattern of composite products. Personally I could not understand why one would go to the trouble of having granite ground up, colour added etc. Think of the precious water involved in the processes. Enjoy whatever you choose! Bevelled edges are best imo.

I have black granite & its great if you dont mind buffing it with glass cleaner after you wipe....

If you can go for Nero Impala - has a little bit of grey and it is easier to keep clean than black. But if you are happy to keep it clean it is beautiful!

Second glass cleaners as a cheaper alternative to granite cleaners and do a good job

I have black granite with a bit of sparkle in and wish I didn't. Nightmare to keep shiny as we live in a very hard water area.
OP I think the reason nmore people don'thave it is the cost- I think ours cost £250 a metre, and total cost was around £5K.
If I was doing it again, I'd have Corian, or a paler granite.

Oooooo more messages, I've not been on MN for a while as was having the kitchen done.

I'm afraid your messages of good advice all came to late for me, I gone and done it!

Guess what I went for, yes, black granite with gold bits in!! and what you have all said about the streaks and smears is true. My microfiber cloth and I a inseparable now! It does look beautiful though.

Not heard about granite emitting uranium, I've spent so much on the kitchen I daren't look into this now in case it is true.

Thanks everyone anyway.

I have sparkly black granite and it is alot of work to keep it looking nice. I do love it when it's all polished and shiny though. I use Method (Tesco sell it too now).

Have you got your draining boards in granite too? That's what I find a pain- I have only to wash a cup and put it to the side of the sink to drain and the worktop is all limescale.

Yes, my drainer is granite too but I have a metal draining rack on the top of it where things stand to drain (have a dishwasher, so only things like sharp knives and other stuff that can't be dishwashed go on the drainer). I just lift the metal drainer and wipe underneath it to keep the watermarks down.

I love my granite tops (star galaxy). Really versatile, look great, hygenic, long lasting and easy to look after.

I clean mine with normal Dettol anti-bacterial spray (the clear type)

I've got a drainer, the guy who templated and fitted my granite said to use Method cleaning spray and for the groves in the drainer, get aa soft sponge scourer and use this to get rid of the stains/ limescale, it works.