A Review of EcoGranit Bowls: Are They Hard to Keep Clean?
A Review of Eco Granit Bowls: Are They Hard to Keep Clean?
Before getting into the maintenance of an EcoGranit sink, let’s look at what exactly it is. EcoGranit is a granite composite sink created from 85% quartz and 15% acrylic. These sinks are incredibly durable and hygienic. They’re scratch, stain and heat resistant which makes them quite a popular option in busy kitchens. Due to the nature of the material, these sinks are only available in a matte finish which can be a great design feature in a kitchen with matte tap and handle ware. While there’s no doubt they are stunning in appearance, many homeowners want to understand how hard they are to maintain. Here are the main considerations you should be aware of.
Daily Maintenance
EcoGranit sinks can attract white lime from everyday water use. To avoid the limescale build-up we recommend a simple fast daily clean. This consists of giving the bowl a light scrub with some dishwashing liquid, a light scrub with one of our magic sponges, a thorough rinse with fresh water and a dry out with a lint-free cloth. This will help stop any lime residue from building up over time which can be quite noticeable in the black bowls. Without the daily clean is not performed, the lime/salt is left behind and can be very difficult to remove. Just like the black hardware in your kitchen and bathroom (taps, showerheads, black aluminium frames in the shower) limescale build-up is not covered by our product warranty.
Occasional Deep Clean
It's worth noting that the quality of your water can affect the good looks of your sink by giving the appearance of staining. This “staining” is generally a build-up of limescale or similar mineral deposit, particularly prevalent in hard water areas. Limescale readily absorbs staining agents such as tea, coffee, red wine, etc., spoiling the appearance of your sink. For this reason, always rinse and dry your sink after each occasion you use it to avoid mineral deposits being left behind on the surface when the water evaporates
If there is noticeable limescale in the bowl, a deeper clean can be performed. This involves purchasing one of our easy-to-use EcoGranit cleaning kits or dissolving 1 to 2 finish brand dish tabs into 2-3 cm of hot water and leaving them to soak overnight. Scrub thoroughly the next day with the magic sponge, rinse and dry.
Do They Chip or Break?
EcoGranit sinks look amazing and are a brilliant design feature in any kitchen. Although they are super durable, they can still chip. Take care not to drop sharp knives or heavy pans at the bottom of the bowl. Also due to their strength, a coffee mug or glass, if dropped will most likely crack or chip. The bowls are cast upside down during the manufacturing process which means all the strong quartz settles to the bottom of the cast. This in turn ends up being your top working surface. The colour also goes right through the bowls, so if you were to chip it, you will see the original colour all the way through. This does help to hide the defect as it blends it largely unseen.
We also recommend being mindful of boiling water and your EcoGranit sink, especially the black models. While the manufacturer notes that you can pour hot water directly into it, we would advise running the cold tap first as a precaution. This can help prevent any thermal shock that could potentially lead to a crack in the bowl.
In the unfortunate event of a chip, EcoGranit can be repaired. A benchtop fabricator can typically fill the chip, and we also have repair kits available for purchase if required. Just as we recommend with quartz benchtops, if the chip is large, it should be saved to use in the repair.
What About Stains and Scratches?
As for stains, the bowls are non-porous so any stains remain on the surface level and should be able to be removed. We have seen rare cases when turmeric has been left on a white bowl, and removing it completely was not possible. The beauty of the white bowls, however, is that a dilated bleach/water solution can safely be used and can help any stains on the bottom of the bowls.
Some consumers mistakenly report scratching at the bottom of the EcoGranit bowl. This is not accurate as these sinks are made from an extremely hard-wearing material. Any metal pots, pans or cutlery dragged across its surface will initially leave marks that can look like scratches. However, these are metal deposits (scuff marks) on the sink’s surface. They can easily be removed by scrubbing with a magic sponge. It’s best to remove these metal deposits anytime they’re left. It’s unlikely that an EcoGranit sink would scratch with everyday use.
Black Shows Everything
The black EcoGranit sinks require much more maintenance as they simply show every bit of residue quite readily. Be sure to scrub it out daily with the sponge and then dry it. If you have very bright LED lights, they may show any discolouration, fading, and marks more than others. Even with meticulous care, it’s not uncommon to have some whitening and discolouration at the bottom. Still, if you’re looking for a pristine design element in your space, it’s hard to argue with the modern appeal of these sinks.
Are They Worth It?
EcoGranit sinks are a wise investment if you’re looking for a stylish bowl that will last for many years. They offer robust durability while also adding unparalleled beauty to a space. Of course, the trade-off is the need to maintain them more frequently than their stainless steel counterparts. If you’re still not sure if these sinks are the right fit for your household and family, stop into a showroom to see them in person. We have design specialists who are happy to answer any questions as it relates to your specific project.
