Why hard water matters
Cambridge Water's 2025/26 report gives a hardness of about 335 mg/l as calcium carbonate for the Cambridge City North zone. As water evaporates it leaves that mineral behind, which is why scale collects round taps and along sink edges. On stone, the risk is less the scale and more the strong cleaners used to remove it.
Daily cleaning by material
- Quartz: a soft cloth, warm water and mild soap. Avoid scourers and very strong alkaline or solvent cleaners.
- Porcelain: warm water and a mild cleaner; scale comes off with the descaler the maker approves.
- Granite and quartzite: a pH-neutral stone cleaner keeps the sealer working.
- Marble: a cleaner made for marble only. Wipe acidic spills straight away.
Keeping scale away
The easiest habit is a dry cloth round the tap after washing up. A water filter tap or a softener for the hot supply also reduces it. If scale does build up on quartz or porcelain, use the manufacturer's recommended product. On natural stone, ask us before using any descaler.
Sealing checks
Drip a little water on a natural stone worktop and wait a few minutes. If it darkens the stone, it is time to reseal. Sealers wipe on and buff off, and you can do it yourself. Quartz and porcelain never need sealing.
Heat, knives and chips
Whatever the stone, put hot pans on a trivet and chop on a board. Your knives will suffer before the worktop does. Minor edge chips are usually fixable with filler and polishing. Keep any broken-off piece and call us.
Questions we are asked
Can I use vinegar to clean my worktop?
Not on marble, and not regularly on sealed granite or quartzite. Vinegar is acidic. On quartz and porcelain, follow the manufacturer's guidance.
Do I need to reseal quartz?
No. Quartz and porcelain are non-porous and are never sealed.
What removes a water ring from granite?
Most rings are scale on the surface and lift with a stone-safe cleaner and a soft cloth. If it is a dark patch, it is water in the stone, which fades as it dries and suggests resealing.
Sources
- Cambridge Water: Cambridge City North water quality (opens in a new tab)
- Natural Stone Institute: caring for natural stone (opens in a new tab)
We are not connected with the organisations linked here; they are listed for reference.