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We have just completed a fresh round of stain testing on a selection of popular worktop materials, and we thought it would be useful to share the results with you.

Choosing the right surface is a big decision for homeowners, and as you know, the worktop is often the most hardworking element in the entire kitchen. It is where the cooking, chopping, spilling and celebrating all happen, so understanding how each material behaves under real world conditions is essential.

People can fall in love with a finish because of its look, but long-term satisfaction comes down to performance and maintenance. A stunning polished marble might be perfect for someone who is happy to wipe up instantly and accept a bit of patina, while a busy family may prefer something that shrugs off stains without blinking. These tests help set those expectations clearly so no one gets unwelcome surprises later.
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Here is a detailed breakdown of what we found during our turmeric, hot oil, red wine and Coke test session.

  1. Polished marble
    We applied several fresh layers of sealer beforehand to see if it made a noticeable difference. Even so, the surface still showed quite a bit of discoloration. Red wine and Coke were the worst offenders, each leaving distinct marks. Turmeric left a faint yellow shadow but nothing too dramatic, and interestingly, the hot oil caused no staining at all.
  2. Honed marble
    This finish reacted to everything we threw at it. Hot oil created the most visible stain, followed by red wine, then Coke. Turmeric left a small light spot, which was unexpected and not something we have seen often. Overall, it confirmed that honed marble needs the most hands on upkeep.
  3. Polished quartz
    Quartz performed well, as expected. Turmeric left a light yellow tint but most of it lifted with Soft Scrub and gentle polishing. The other substances did not leave any lasting marks.
  4. Matte Dekton
    Completely resistant. No marks, no colour change, no drama. It behaved exactly as a high performance sintered stone should.
  5. Polished Dekton
    Almost perfect, only picking up a slight yellow tint from the turmeric. Everything else wiped away cleanly.
  6. Cristallo
    A flawless performance. No staining or discolouration at all, even with the more stubborn substances.

The takeaway is that every material comes with its own pros, cons and care requirements. There is no one size fits all option, only the one that suits the homeowner’s lifestyle and expectations. These tests help clarify that and give designers and customers confidence in their choices.

If you’d like to see a video of our testing, check it out here.

Author

Alex Jennings

Owner of Stone & Quartz, the largest reputable mainstream worktop fabricator dedicated to delivering a wide variety of premium surfaces directly to consumers. With a passion for quality and choice, Alex ensures every customer has the freedom to find the perfect surface to suit their style and budget.