Many homeowners consider quartz countertops when they are remodeling because it is durable, consistent and easier to maintain. Quartz countertops are artificial slabs of stone that are made of 90% quartz and 10% of colored pigments and binding polymers. These make it remarkably durable thereby resistant to stains, chips, and scratches.
Since it is artificial, it is designed to have a consistent look, pattern, and color – all the way through. This will provide a consistent style and look of the countertop, which can enhance the kitchen’s aesthetic design. More importantly, quartz countertops are easy to maintain because of its non-porous surface. Certainly, your quartz countertops are a great long-term investment. Just like any investment, you want to handle it with care through cleaning.
Here are things to remember when cleaning quartz countertops:
- Quartz countertops are non-porous. It means that it does not have holes or cracks where spills could seep in. For this, the countertop is more resistant to staining. Though it is resistant to staining, it is important to wipe the spills right away – before they dry. You can simply wipe the mess with a soft cloth and mild dishwashing detergent.
- If the spills already dried, the best course of action is to use a glass cleaner, non-abrasive sponge and elbow grease. Keep in mind that messes that harden as they dry are challenging to remove. If there is gum or paint, you can gently scrape it through the plastic putty knife.
- When there is cooking grease on the surface, you can use a degreasing product to get rid of it. Degreasers can loosen and remove the grease from the surface. For this, you need to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
- If you are worried about the permanent marker, you can remove it. You should first moisten a cloth with marker stain remover and rub it into the stain. After this, you can rinse with warm water to remove the residue of the cleanser.
- Aside from wiping daily, it is important that you schedule a deep cleaning regularly. For good results, spray a generous amount of surface cleaner and let it stay for ten minutes. After this, you need to wipe it away using a non-scratch sponge.
- When cleaning, it is not advisable to use abrasive cleaners and scouring pads, which can dull the countertop’s surface. You have to be careful when you consider cleaning solutions. Whether it is highly alkaline or acidic, these chemicals can break the bonds between resin and quartz. Quartz can only tolerate milder alkaline solutions like diluted bleach but other substances like concentrated bleach or oven cleaners will surely damage the surface.
- Though quartz countertops are heat and scorch resistant, the resin used is prone to melting if exposed to bead above 300°F. Keep in mind that prolonged exposure to such heat may lead to cracking. To be safe, always utilise your hot pad or trivet.Now that you know about maintaining the countertop, it is time that you look for the best place to buy quartz countertops. Always remember that there are people you can assist you when it comes to custom sizing, colors, and thickness of the required countertop.