Cleaning stone worktops, including limescale

A routine that suits every stone

Wipe with warm water and a drop of gentle washing-up liquid, then buff dry with a microfibre cloth. A spray cleaner labelled pH-neutral and safe for stone is a handy alternative. That is genuinely all most worktops need.

Where the scale comes from

Rainwater that filters through rock collects calcium and magnesium, which stay behind as a white film when droplets dry. Severn Trent supplies Loughborough, and its scale treats 151 to 200 mg/l as moderately hard, so build-up here is slower than in harder-water regions, though taps and drainers still collect it.

Stone by stone

• Quartz: scale wipes off if caught early. No scourers, bleach or strong solvents.
• Granite: unharmed by scale, but spots show on dark polished stone. Dry the tap area; use stone-safe products, as bathroom descalers can strip sealer.
• Porcelain: the least fussy. Textured and matt finishes hold scale slightly more than gloss.
• Marble: never acid. Vinegar, lemon and descalers etch it. pH-neutral only, and keep the sink edge dry.

Products to keep off any stone

• Abrasive creams and scouring pads on polished surfaces.
• Oven cleaner or bleach on quartz.
• Acidic products on marble, limestone or quartzite.