How to Care for Your Silica-Free Stone Benchtop: Cleaning, Spill Response & Maintenance Tips

Master Tops
Sep 25, 2025
6 min read

Spilled coffee on your silica-free stone benchtop and froze for a moment? Don’t panic. These non-porous surfaces are much more forgiving than they look, but a few quick moves make all the difference.

Here’s your guide on how to care for your silica-free benchtops. Inside, you’ll explore an easy daily cleaning routine, how to stop stains from setting, clear dos and don’ts for heat and scratches, and a quick stain-fixing guide for coffee, oil, wine, ink and rust.

Stick around. By the end you’ll know exactly what to do (and what never to do) to keep your benchtop looking great.

Daily Cleaning Routine for Silica-Free Stone Benchtops

A quick daily wipe keeps silica-free benchtops gleaming. Here’s what you need:

Tool	Purpose
Soft microfibre cloth	Lint-free wiping without scratching
Soft sponge	Gentle cleaning across the surface
Non-abrasive scrub pad	For very textured areas (avoid any metal pads)

Cleaning steps:

Mix warm water with a few drops of mild dish soap (or a pH-neutral stone cleaner).
Dip the microfibre cloth or sponge into the solution, squeeze out lightly.
Then gently wipe the benchtop.
Immediately follow with a clean, dry cloth to remove moisture.

In practice, warm soapy water is usually all you need.

Recommended products:

Use neutral pH stone cleaners. For example, Bunnings sells Hillmark Stone Kleen & Protect, a pH-neutral marble/granite cleaner safe for engineered surfaces. If you prefer dish soap, a gentle brand is fine. The key is avoiding any acidic or harsh chemicals (see quick tips below).

Quick cleaning tips:

Wipe up spills at once. Blot; don’t let liquids sit.
Always rinse off any cleaner residue and dry the surface.
Avoid bleach, vinegar, lemon juice or ammonia-based products, as these acids can dull or etch stone.

Immediate Spill Response for Silica-Free Benchtops: Don’t Let Stains Set

Accidents happen, but immediate action prevents lasting stains. Remember: blot first – don’t scrub! Use this spill-fix guide:

Acidic spills (lemon, vinegar, etc.) – Blot up excess with a cloth or paper towel. Rinse the area thoroughly with water; avoid scrubbing, which can spread acids.
Oily or greasy spills – Blot quickly, then apply a drop of dish soap or a mild degreaser. Gently wipe and rinse with warm water. For tough grease, a paste of baking soda + water (leave 5–10 minutes) can help lift oil.
Wine, coffee, tea, or other coloured spills – Blot immediately. Wipe with warm soapy water. If a faint stain remains, make a baking soda paste (baking soda + water). Spread it on the spot, let it sit 5–15 minutes, then rinse off.
General tip: After any spill, dry the surface thoroughly with a clean cloth to prevent water spots.

Above all, do not scrub aggressively or use gritty pads. Abrasive action only makes scratches and spots worse. Follow these quick steps and most spills will vanish harmlessly.

Preventing Heat & Scratch Damage: DOs and DON’Ts

Even ultra-durable silica-free stone can chip or discolour if mishandled. Follow these best practices:

DOs

Use a cutting board for all chopping.
Put trivets, heat pads or oven mats under hot pots and pans.
Lift heavy cookware and appliances instead of dragging them across the benchtop.
Fit soft feet or pads under appliance bases to prevent scratching.
Clean with microfibre cloths, soft sponges and non-abrasive scrub pads for textured areas.
Use coasters under drinks and pads beneath heavy decorative items.
Inspect seams, edges and splashbacks regularly; deal with chips or loose joints early.

DON’Ts

Don’t cut directly on the benchtop (knives will leave marks).
Don’t place hot pans straight onto the stone (thermal shock can cause whitening or cracking).
Don’t drag heavy cookware or appliances across the surface — this can gouge or chip edges.
Don’t slide metal objects or appliances across the benchtop.
Don’t use steel wool, metal scouring pads or gritty abrasive powders.
Don’t leave acidic items (lemon, vinegar) or wet objects sitting on the surface for long periods.
Don’t ignore small chips or seam gaps as small problems become bigger if left unchecked.

Sealing and Protectives: Do Silica-Free Benchtops Need Sealing?

One great feature of silica-free stone is that it’s non-porous which means it normally doesn’t require sealing. Unlike natural stone, spills won’t soak in. Routine sealing isn’t usually needed. Warm water and soap is enough.

When might you still consider sealing your silica-free kitchen benchtop?

If your benchtop is old, has worn spots, or is used in an extremely high-traffic or commercial setting, a light coat of stone sealer can add extra stain protection. In those cases, check first – Master Tops can advise on compatible sealers for silica-free surfaces. But for most Perth kitchens, you can skip the sealing step with peace of mind.

Tough Stain Removing Tips for Silica-Free Benchtops

If a spill has left a mark, try these steps in order. Always patch-test in a hidden spot first:

Coffee/Wine: Blot to remove liquid. Wipe with warm, soapy water. If the stain remains, apply a baking soda paste (baking soda + water) to the spot and let sit 5–15 minutes. Gently wipe off and rinse.
Oil/Grease: Blot up oil first. Then wipe the area with a damp cloth and a few drops of dish soap (grease-cutting). For set-in grease, make a paste of baking soda and a little dish soap, leave 30 minutes, then rinse. Repeat if needed.
Ink: Wipe immediately with warm soapy water. If ink remains, moisten a soft cloth with 70% isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol (spot-test first) and dab gently until it lifts. Rinse and dry the area thoroughly.
Rust: First try a mild approach: apply a baking soda paste to the rust stain for 30 minutes, then wipe it off. Do NOT use acidic household rust removers as they will etch stone. If the mark persists (especially if metal transferred), it’s safest to call a professional.

Silica-Free Benchtop Maintenance Schedule

Keep your benchtop in top shape with this simple schedule:

Weekly: After each meal prep, give the surface a quick wipe with soapy water, then dry it. Check for any sticky residues or spills.
Monthly: Inspect seams, drains and splashbacks around the benchtop. Wipe them with a pH-neutral cleaner if needed. Do a deeper clean (mix warm water + mild soap or use a stone-safe cleaner) to catch any grime buildup.
Annually: Take a close look for any chips, cracks or dull spots. For peace of mind, consider a professional tune-up. You can reach out us. We can spot any minor damage early and can recommend polishing or repairs.

DIY Repairs vs. When to Call a Benchtop Specialist

Many minor issues you can handle at home, but some need a pro’s touch:

DIY fixes: Light surface marks, faint stains or dull spots can usually be buffed out with gentle stone polish. Warm soapy water often refreshes the finish.
Call the pros: If you have a chip, deep scratch, or damage to a seam, it’s time to call the professionals. They can handle the tricky stuff; from colour-matching repairs to seam re-joins. Even slight colour alterations or persistent stains are best done by trained fabricators.

Conclusion

Silica-free stone benchtops give you the best of both worlds: beauty and low maintenance. Remember to wipe spills, avoid harsh cleaners, use trivets, and inspect for issues. These small steps go a long way toward keeping your kitchen looking amazing.

Worried a spill, stain or chip will force you to replace your kitchen benchtop?

Upgrade to a Silica-Free Stone Benchtop at Master Tops

If you want a low-maintenance, stain-resistant finish that stands up to busy kitchens, consider a premium silica-free stone benchtop from Master Tops. We supply and install high-quality silica-free benchtops across Willetton and Perth. Choose your style, book a free measure-and-quote, and let our experienced team handle the rest.

Don’t let stains, chips or dulling ruin your kitchen finish.

Check our benchtops collection for inspiration.

Get a Free Quote Now

FAQs – Silica-Free Benchtop Care

Q1: Do silica-free benchtops need to be sealed?

No. Silica-free engineered surfaces are non-porous, so they typically do not require sealing. A yearly wipe-down is usually sufficient.

Q2: Can I put hot pans directly on a silica-free benchtop?

No. Always use trivets or heat pads. Sudden heat can crack or discolor stone, even if it’s heat-resistant.

Q3: What cleaner is safe for silica-free surfaces?

Warm water with a mild (dish) soap or a pH-neutral stone cleaner is best. Avoid acidic or bleach-based cleaners entirely.

Q4: How do I remove oil stains from silica-free stone benchtops?

Blot up oil first. Then apply a paste of baking soda and dish soap for 15–30 minutes, scrub gently, and rinse. Repeat if needed, and always dry well.

Q5: Can benchtop scratches be repaired?

Minor surface scratches or marks can be polished out (sometimes even buffed by hand). However, deep gouges or chips need professional repair. In general, silica-free tops are extremely scratch-resistant.

Q6: Can you use spray-and-wipe cleaners on stone benchtops?

Yes, if they’re labeled safe for stone. Choose a non-abrasive, non-acidic spray. Always wipe with a soft cloth. Avoid generic bleach or ammonia sprays.

Q7: How do you maintain a stone benchtop?

Wipe up spills immediately with soapy water. Use coasters under glasses and trivets under hot pots. Don’t cut on the surface. Regular cleaning and avoiding extreme actions (heat, acid, metal scrubbing) keeps your stone looking like new.