Granite

Bluestone has come back into fashion in our kitchens. We still have fond memories of the large tubs in solid blue stone under the water pumps of our ancestors. Nostalgia regarding “the good old days” and the gentleness of life are probably at the root of this revived interest.

Initially, unpleasant surprises can cause hesitation. Acidic liquids can make the decorative layer of the stone a lighter colour. So why is it that old worktops still remain so beautiful? Simply because the years have given them that characteristic patina.

To compensate for the absence of patina and to protect the worktop, stonemasons will apply a protective treatment that you should renew from time to time. For daily maintenance, you can clean the kitchen worktop with your regular dishwashing product or with ordinary salad oil. To protect your worktop, rub the surface with a solution of 50% turpentine and 50% linseed oil, let it dry for 24 hours and remove the excess.

The treatment can be renewed if necessary, but with a ratio of 2/3 turpentine and 1/3 linseed oil. Another protection technique that also has the advantage of not darkening the stone is to treat it with a moisture- and oil-repellent product such as Lithofin Stain Stop, which is available in our online store.

For more details and information on stain removal see arduinmaintenance-nl.pdf. On the Carrières du Hainaut website you can find more information and watch maintenance videos.