The best way to clean any kitchen surface

Wiping down your worktops is likely the last thing you do when you're cleaning the kitchen, but it's an important one! Cleaning your surfaces is an easy way to make your kitchen sparkle.

It's important to know what your worktop is made of — whether it's stainless steel, laminate or wood — so that you can clean it the right way. Here's our expert guide.

Granite is a good example of a natural, solid surface. Black granite looks wonderful when newly polished but it can take a lot of elbow grease to keep it looking shiny.

Clean with solution washing up liquid mixed with hot water, then rinse and buff to a shine with an e-cloth.

To clean, wash with a solution of washing up liquid and hot water, then dry with a soft cloth. Don't use any abrasive cream cleaners as they can scratch the surface. If you just want to remove finger marks, put a dab of baby oil or rinse aid on a clean cloth and rub the whole surface.

Wipe down with a solution of washing-up liquid and hot water or use an anti-bacterial all-purpose kitchen spray. If you have staining, use a cream cleaner. If the surface is textured, use a nylon bristled brush to get into the grain.

You’re safe to use solvents on laminates so you can tackle marks such as felt tip with white spirit or nail-polish remover. Rinse thoroughly. Chips and small scratches can be repaired using a laminate repairer or sealant. To remove scratches on man-made composites rub with medium and fine-grade sandpaper in a circular motion. Buff well with a soft cloth.

Treat as you would a laminate surface. Clean grouting with an old toothbrush dipped in a bleach solution. Rinse thoroughly.

Wipe with a damp cloth and a solution of washing-up liquid and hot water. Use neat washing-up liquid on stains, rubbing along the grain with a soft cloth.

Wipe down with a washing-up solution taking care not to over wet. Rub stains carefully with a slightly abrasive cream cleaner.

These can easily be scratched so use a soft damp cloth. Use neat washing-up liquid on stains, rubbing gently, then rinse well and dry. Buff with a chamois leather or microfibre cloth to remove watermarks.

For a thorough clean, use a slightly abrasive cream cleaner or an anti-bacterial cleaning spray. To restore brightness fill your sink with cold water and add a cup of bleach. Leave to soak then rinse thoroughly.

For general cleaning, use a damp cloth and washing up liquid solution or antibacterial cleaning spray. Don't leave tea, coffee or fruit juices sitting in the sink as these will stain. Soak stubborn stains in a solution of biological washing powder or well-diluted bleach.

Wipe down with a damp cloth and washing up liquid. Remove any limescale marks with Bar Keepers Friend or scouring pad and paste of bicarbonate of soda.

Stainless steel

Wipe with a damp cloth and washing-up solution or anti-bacterial spray. Once a week use a cream cleaner, rinse and dry. Use a proprietary limescale remover as necessary.

Wash as stainless steel — but do not use limescale removers. If you get a build-up of scale remove using a plastic scourer, neat washing up liquid and plenty of elbow grease!

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