Hi,
Does anyone have any advice on how best to maintain an Askilan kitchen worktop?
I have one which was fitted two years ago, and has only been lightly used, but I have never found it easy to keep it looking good. The surface is supposed to be semi matt, but develops glossy "high spots" which leave it looking uneven textured. In other places (particularly the draining area) the texture just seems permanently blotchy and hard to keep clean.
I contacted the supplier sooner after fitting, and they said if necessary clean it with "Cif" abrasive cream, and to be quite tough with it (I was not sure whether it was OK to use abrasives). I have done this and it does sort of work, but you have to scrub quite hard and keep doing it regularly, otherwise it quickly gets blotchy. You cannot just wipe it clean with some Flash as I would a granite worktop.
They also advised after cleaning it thoroughly to wipe the surface with olive oil to give it a glossy finish. I tried this in a small area but it seemed to leave a sticky finish and I did not like the idea of having my worktop coated in olive oil, so I cleaned it off.
The company (Askilan) has now ceased trading as far as I can tell - their web site is no longer active.
Overall I wish I had paid a bit extra and had granite!
Thanks
David Ellis