Do you have quartz countertops? Lucky you, because you’ve got one of the most sought-after, practical and beautiful countertops available. Surely you want to know how to properly care for it in order to protect your investment; stay with us and learn all about quartz, how to clean it and even how to take care of other popular countertop options as well.
Quartz Countertops: What Is Quartz?
According to Geology.com, quartz is a chemical compound consisting of one part silicon and two parts oxygen. It is silicon dioxide in its most basic solid form. Quartz is also the most abundant mineral found at Earth’s surface and can be found around the world in everything from sand to mountains.
Because of the many unique properties that quartz possesses, it is one of the most useful natural substances on the planet.
Properties of Quartz
Quartz is very durable, and this is partly due to how hard it is, but quartz also has unique chemical properties as well. For example, it doesn’t react chemically with most substances, and it has electrical properties and heat resistance that make it valuable in electronics. Additionally, quartz is non-porous and so won’t absorb liquids and will stand much less of a chance of harboring bacteria, mold and mildew.
Quartz’s beautiful aesthetic makes it desirable in quartz countertops, flooring, glassblowing, electronics and as a collectible for rock and gem enthusiasts.
You don’t have to be a rock collector to be familiar with quartz, which is used to make quartz countertops; it’s the most common mineral on Earth!
Mining for Quartz
According to the website Sciencing.com, quartz is extracted from open-pit mines (rather than tunneling underground to extract deeply hidden minerals, open pit mining involves digging at the surface to extract minerals less deep in the crust).
Mining operations use bulldozers and backhoes to remove soil and clay and expose the quartz crystal veins in the rock. Miners only use explosives on rare occasions when they need to expose a deep seam of quartz.
Because quartz used to make quartz countertops can be found so close to the surface, deep tunnels into the Earth aren’t necessary.
Quartz Countertops
Quartz countertops have several advantages over other materials. For one, as we mentioned earlier, they are extremely durable and aesthetically pleasing.
Part of what makes quartz countertops so beautiful is the variety of styles and color patterns. Nearly all quartz countertops are made from 97% quartz and 3% polymer resins, which offer the ability to customize patterns and colors.
You may have heard of Cambria or Silestone. These are considered quartz countertops, but because of the different contents mixed with the minerals, you actually get a design that is quite different than what you would normally get by using pure quartz.
Caring for Your Quartz Countertops
Now that you know a little bit about quartz, we can answer the question that you really want to know. How do you clean quartz countertops? Lucky for you it’s quite easy.
To clean your quartz countertops, Bob Vila, a trusted home advice source, recommends a glass or surface cleaner, a nonabrasive sponge (sponges designed for nonstick pans are safe and effective), and some good old-fashioned elbow grease to clean spills and maintain a clean counter.
For specific messes such as grease and oil spills, clean immediately with an appropriate solution such as a degreaser following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Things to Avoid When Cleaning and Caring for Your Quartz Countertops
Cleaning your quartz countertops is easy and generally doesn’t require specialized items. What not to do is actually more involved.
Referencing Bob Vila again, these are the dont’s for cleaning or caring for your quartz countertops.
- Don’t use alkaline or abrasive cleaners
- Avoid extreme heat
- Never slice or cut anything on a quartz countertop without using a cutting board
- While not cleaning or maintenance related, it should be noted that quartz shouldn’t be installed outside as constant sunlight and exposure to the elements can cause damage to the countertop
Cleaning Other Countertops
Here at AGS Stone we offer a variety of countertop materials. Here’s how you can clean and care for them.
- Granite: Mild dish soap and water with a wet sponge or chamois cloth. Wipe dry. Sealing is recommended.
- Wood: Warm water or distilled white vinegar or other non-abrasive cleaner. Wipe dry with microfiber cloth. Sealing is recommended.
- Marble: We recommend cleaning marble in the same fashion as granite. Sealing is recommended.
- Slate: Same as marble and granite. Sealing is recommended.
- Sintered stone: Use soap and water. Wipe dry.
- Limestone: Use a cleaner with a neutral pH, such as warm water and mild detergents. Never use a sponge or other cleaning supply with a rough surface in order to avoid scratching. Sealing is recommended.
- Onyx: Use cleaners with neutral pH, and avoid abrasive cleaners. Wipe dry with a soft cloth. Sealing is recommended.
- Soapstone: Use mild dish soap and avoid harsh cleaners. Applying treatments with mineral oil is recommended.
- Travertine: Clean with warm water and a sponge. Avoid store-bought cleaners, soaps and detergents. Sealing is recommended.
- Porcelain: Any neutral pH cleaner will suffice, wipe with a soft sponge or microfiber cloth
Your Quartz Countertops
We hope that now that you have an understanding of what goes into cleaning your quartz countertop, you can keep your investment looking great for years to come. If you didn’t know anything about quartz before, we hope that we’ve piqued your interest and that you decide to pursue quartz countertops for yourself.
We also hope that this was an informative guide on how to clean a number of other countertop styles and materials, all of which we offer at our studio!
Quartz Countertops with AGS Stone
AGS Stone is a family-owned and operated business that supplies American made quality countertops, such as quartz countertops, with a variety of finish options to suit your taste.
Here at AGS, we welcome the opportunity to assist you with the planning, preparation and purchase of new countertops for your home. We believe that a well-informed customer is more likely to be a satisfied customer when our work is done.
We specialize in the planning, selection and installation of countertops and floors in a number of different materials.
Remodeling your kitchen or bathroom doesn’t have to be daunting. AGS Stone will work closely with you each step of the way. We are committed to helping you create the kitchen or bath of your dreams in a reasonable amount of time. Download our countertop profile options here to learn about our style and craftsmanship.
Contact us by phone (813.626.3636) or through our website for a free quote on your next project today!
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