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Valore` Wooden Preparation Board - Care Instructions
Valore` chopping boards are made from selected solid timber pieces jointed with waterproof glue for maximum strength and treated with a waterproofing preservative agent to maintain stability in colour and grain, cutting marks, even stains are part of the timber's natural beauty. Properly cared for it should offer years of service.Timber is a hydroscopic material and will always be affected by exposure to extremes of heat and moisture. Minor cracks may appear on the end grain called "checking' which occurs as the timber takes in and disperses moisture. Checking will in no way affect the normal service expected of the cutting board.
To obtain maximum service and appearance, the following points should be observed:-
DO NOT expose this cutting board to excessive heat from cooking appliances or steam nor leave exposed to direct sunlight for long periods
DO NOT immerse in water or place in a dishwasher.
DO apply a generous coating of vegetable oil before use and every few months or whenever the board begins to feel dry to renew the natural oils and reduce the risk of splitting and loss of shape.
DO clean regularly with a damp sponge or cloth.
DO use care to avoid dropping on hard floors which can damage rebated edges.
If removal of cutting scars and scratches is desired, use fine wet and dry sand paper with cooking oil at the same time.
If warping should occur it can usually be rectified by thoroughly moistening the convex side of the board and then exposing that side to the heat of the sun until the board flattens out.
Care & Cleaning
Suggestions for the Care & Cleaning of Your Stainless Steel Sink
Your Valore` sink is made from Quality 18/10 stainless steel and will give you a lifetime of service with proper care and maintenance. Even the highest quality stainless steel will not last if mistreated.

What is stainless steel?
Stainless steels are a family of steels that are resistant to corrosion (rusting) and elevated temperature. They must contain at least 10.5 % chromium. The chromium reacts with the oxygen in the air to form an invisible, protective chrome-oxide surface layer. This layer helps to prevent "staining  (rusting) of the surface. This does not mean that stainless steel will never rust. There are many different stainless steels with unique chemical compositions. These chemistry differences influence strength, corrosion resistance, and cost. Higher levels of chromium and the addition of other alloying elements such as nickel and molybdenum improve the corrosion resistance and make them easier to fabricate. The most commonly used stainless steel for sinks, flatware, appliances, and other consumer products is Type 304 but other less expensive and less corrosion resistant stainless steels are sometimes used and the consumer should not assume that all stainless steel products will provide equivalent performance.

I notice my Stainless Item says 18/8 or 18/10. What does this mean? The first number is the amount of chromium that is contained in the stainless i.e. 18 is 18% chromium. The second number is the amount of nickel i.e. 8 stands for 8% nickel. So 18/8/means that this stainless steel contains 18% chromium and 8% nickel. This is a common name for Type 304. 18/10 is 18% chromium and 10% nickel. The higher the numbers the more corrosion resistant the material.

Stainless Steel Cleaning Tips
Stainless Steel
Is widely used for catering and domestic kitchen equipment because of its ability to resist corrosion and its ease of cleaning. In fact, stainless steel ranks alongside glass and new china in terms of "ease of cleaning" and in removal of bacteria from the surface. As a result of these virtues, the metal is often taken for granted and it is assumed that no problems will arise during its usage. However, some care is required to ensure that the. Stainless steel can live up to its reputation.
Surface Scratching
Although stainless steel is a relatively hard material, it is possible to introduce surface scuffs and scratches when harder objects are drawn across the metal surface. Examples of harder materials are knife blades, cast iron saucepans, ceramic pots and mugs (particularly the unglazed area on the base) and certain abrasives/scouring materials. Scratching will be most noticeable on the drainer area of the sink where hard objects are likely to be placed during normal household use. These scratches and marks are usually only superficial and can sometimes be removed depending on severity with a proprietary stainless steel cleaner/polish such as Polaris stainless and copper restorer generally available from the local supermarket. like any metallic surface, your stainless steel sink will scratch, these are usual scratches and over time will blend into the overall finish of your sink.
Corrosion The two most common types of corrosion that may be encountered, particularly on stainless steel sinks, are rust marks and pitting of the surface. 1: Rust Marks. When this type of staining occurs, it is unlikely that the marks are caused by the rusting of the stainless steel itself ( The material used is a high quality 18/10 chrome nickel steel which is metallurgical incapable of rusting or corroding in normal household conditions, similar marks can be found with both porcelain and composite sinks). The rust marks are more likely to be the result of small particles of "ordinary steel" which have become attached to the surface, these have subsequently rusted in the damp environment of the sink. The most common source of such particles is from "wire wool" scouring pads, or wire wool used by the plumber during the installation of the sink. Contamination may also occur from carbon steel utensils and old cast iron water supply pipes. These brown marks are only superficial stains, which will not harm the sink; they should be removed using a soft damp cloth and a multi purpose cream cleanser (such as Jif). Occasionally, it may be necessary to resort, to a proprietary stainless steel cleanser, to return the surface of the sink to its original condition. To avoid reoccurrence of any "rust-staining" it is essential that the source of the contamination is eliminated. In cases where contact cannot be avoided, it is even more important that the sink is given a thorough cleaning treatment after use.
2: Pitting. Another form of corrosion, which occasionally occurs in stainless steel sink bowls, is pitting of the surface: in extreme cases this may lead to perforation of the metal. The reason for this corrosive attack can usually be attributed to certain household products, for example:-
Bleaches Most common domestic bleaches/sterilizing solutions contain chlorine in the form of sodium hypochlorite. They should always be used to the strengths prescribed by the manufacturer and should be thoroughly rinsed off with clean water immediately after use. Any cleaning agents containing hypochlorites are unsuitable for long term contact with stainless steel and even when used in the highly diluted form, they can give pitting under certain conditions. For this reason it is not advisable to use a stainless steel sink for soaking fabrics in these solutions, especially over long periods of time (e.g. overnight).
Silver Dip Cleaners.These are particularly harmful as they contain strong acids which can very quickly cause discoloration and pitting. If this type of cleaner comes into contact with the surface of the sink, it should be thoroughly rinsed off with clean water.
Foodstuffs.In general, stainless steel is fully resistant to all foodstuffs in common use. Only in isolated cases, such as when concentrated salt and vinegar mixtures are allowed to dry and remain in contact with the steel for a long period, can any surface marking result. highly acidic foods such as tomatoes, pickles or lemon should not be allowed to sit on the sink surface, It is always good practice to wash down the stainless steel surface after food preparation.
Acids.Strong acids such as sulphuric and hydrochloric are very corrosive and should not be allowed to come into contact with stainless steel catering 'equipment. If equipment is used for purposes other then foodstuffs e.g. photographic processing, it is essential that all traces of the solutions should be washed off immediately.
Water Quality.
The quality of your water can affect your sinks appearance, if your water has a high Iron content, a brown surface can form on the sink giving the appearance of rust, additionally, in areas with a high concentration of minerals, or with over-softened water, a white film may develop on the surface of the sink, to combat these problems, we suggest that the sink be towel dried after use, Once a week thoroughly clean the sink.
Day to Day Care.To maintain the original appearance of the sink, a regular cleaning routine should be carried out using the following guidelines:-
1: After use, wipe the item with a soft, damp, soapy cloth and rinse with clean water, preferably - warm/hot water. This should remove most substances encountered within the kitchen environment.
2: For more tenacious deposits, including oil, grease and waterborne deposits, use a multipurpose cleanser (such as Jif or Polaris) and apply with a soft damp cloth. This should be followed by rinsing with fresh water, as above. Note Jif and Polaris are abrasives and should not be used too aggressively.
3: Harsh abrasives and scouring materials should not be used for cleaning stainless steel as they will leave scratch marks in the surface and damage the appearance of the sink. Likewise, do not use wire brushes, scrapers or contaminated scouring pads.
4: If the sink has a directional polished grain, any cleaning with abrasives should be carried out along this grain and not across it.
5: After use, always remove wet cleaning-aids (such as cloths, pads, containers) from the surface, to avoid formation of water marks/stains.
6: If required, dry the sink after use with a soft dry cloth or towel.
Do's and Don'ts
·        Do...clean on a regular basis. The best form of maintenance is a frequent regular cleaning.
·        Do...preventative maintenance and ensure the sink is clean, dry and exposed to room temperature when not used.
·        Do...rinse thoroughly after each use, run the water for a few minutes rubbing the cleaned area with a sponge.
·        Do...towel dry after each use to prevent mineral deposits from building up on the surface of the sink.
·        Don’t...Scour the sink across the satin finish lines, this will damage the original finish.
·        Don’t...allow liquid soap or other household cleaners to dry on the surface of the sink. Most brands contain chemical additives which will affect the                         original high lustre of the sink.
·        Don’t...leave standing solutions of chlorine bleach and water in the sink for extended periods of time. It is not recommended that undiluted chlorine                         bleach be used on your sink. The risk of damage is proportional too the concentration of chlorine and the amount of time the surface is                         exposed.
·        Don’t...use steel wool pads to clean your sink they will scratch the surface. If a more abrasive product is required use a Scotch Brite pad be sure to run                         in the direction of the satin finish lines. Steel wool pads break apart and small particles of steel can become embedded in the surface of                         the sink. These particles will rust and give the appearance that the sink is actually rusting.
·        Don’t...use rubber mats or dishpans in the sink to "protect  the finish. Leaving these type of items in the sink can lead to surface rust or possible pitting                         since the sink surface does not dry properly. If you do use mats or dishpans remove these after each use.
·        Don’t...leave wet sponges or cleaning pads in the sink. Trapped water can lead to staining or discoloration of the sink surface. This can also lead to                         surface rust.
·        Don’t...leave any mild steel or cast iron cookware or implements on the sink surfaces for extended periods of time. The combined presence of iron and                         moisture can only lead to surface corrosion and staining of the sink.
If the preceding guidelines are adhered to, the stainless steel sink should offer excellent life and should live up to its reputation of being "Stainless".......
Ceramic Sinks Care & cleaning
The new generation of ceramic sinks is as difficult to make as the ones in the 1800's. They are handmade so that it takes several days to make them. The core is usually made out of liquefied fireclay (or similar materials) which are set into a mould, removed as soon as it sets, and hand finished. A glaze made from ground glass is then sprayed over it and is finally placed in a kiln overnight to fire the glaze and bake the sink.
Cleaning of ceramic sinks can be pretty easy. You only need to clean the outside with mild soap and warm water. Afterwards, you can wipe the entire surface of the sink with a dry, soft cloth or paper towel. You can use a general purpose cleaner or detergent to maintain it clean. Using abrasive cleaners and solvents might dull the surface so it might be best to avoid them. If you happen to have hard water, try to clean your sink more often in order to maintain a glossy finish.
Cleaning rust stains and grey marks on a white ceramic sink left by aluminium pans and hard water.
We have a white ceramic sink with rust stains and black stains but nothing seems to clean it. We have tried SOS pads, bleach, and Ajax. 
Barkeeper's Friend works WONDERS on rust marks, these funky gray marks left by aluminum pans on sinks, stains, and it doesn't scratch.


GEO granite composite sink care & cleaning.
Many people don’t realize that most of today's 'granite' sinks are actually granite composite sinks. So, when it comes to, there are slightly different rules that need to be followed. In order to keep your sinks looking clean and fresh, you need to learn the basics of specifically cleaning granite composite sinks. These steps will help you preserve your investment:
As with any sink, the best way to handle cleaning granite composite sinks is to make sure you are cleaning them regularly, especially after you have put foods or other wastes in the sink. Rinse the sink with dishwashing liquid and scrub gently with a nylon brush to remove any debris. When you are done washing the sink, be sure to dry it with a dry towel to prevent water from standing on the surface. If you have hard water and you allow water to sit on the surface, it can create mineral stains that will not be able to be removed.
Cleaning Granite Composite Sinks
If you notice that you have some stains that have set into the sink, there are ways of that won't damage the surface. You might want to scrub with a washcloth and some dishwashing liquid to see if that will help, rinse away soap thoroughly when you are done. If this doesn't work, you can use some diluted bleach on the stain and then rinse thoroughly when you are done. And at last resort, you may want to try something abrasive like a paste of baking soda or a chemical abrasive cleanser, although using abrasives to harshly and to strong a bleach can damage the surface. Never mix these cleansers together, however. Use one at a time in diluted form ensuring the surface is not being damaged and rinse thoroughly between each step.
Finally, be sure to keep things like citrus cleaners and ammonia away from the sink when cleaning granite composite sinks. These can damage the surface texture and cause more harm than good. If you should spill these kinds of ingredients, be sure to rinse thoroughly to try to remove as much as you can.