Cleaning guidance for a quartz worktop
How to clean a quartz worktop
For quartz surfaces to look their best, regular light cleaning is all that is required. Fortunately, you're in the right place because we will put together a guide to maintain your quartz worktops around your kitchen, bathroom or wherever you have quartz installed, and will keep them looking good and efficient for years to come.
Cleaning quartz worktops is easy and will take less than a few minutes. Just use some warm water and mild soap to wipe the surface down. Do not use harsh chemicals, as these can damage the finish and/or cause discoloration. If there are tough stains, then apply one of the recommended quartz cleaners, and be sure to rinse thoroughly.
Easy Instructions on How to Keep Quartz Worktops Clean
Step 1: Wipe Spills Immediately
If you accidentally spill something on your quartz worktop, clean it up right away to prevent staining or potential etching on the surface.
Step 2: Use Soft Cloth
Clean with Warm Water and a Soft Cloth. Keep your worktop spotless by gently wiping it with warm water and a microfiber cloth.
Step 3: Clean Stains with a Mild Soapy Solution
You can apply a mild soap solution if you have really stubborn marks. You can also use a gentle degreaser without added ammonia.
Step 4: Remove Soapy Residue
Keep your worktop rinsed with warm water to remove soap and completely dry with a clean, soft cloth.
Top Tips for Cleaning Your Quartz Worktops
Tip 1: Avoid Putting Hot Pots on the Worktop
To protect your quartz worktop from damage, always place hot pots and pans on trivets or heat-resistant mats.
Tip 2: Use a Chopping Board
To avoid scratches and scrapes, always use a chopping board and not a countertop to cut your foods.
Tip 3: Avoid Harsh Chemicals
Do not use bleach or strong chemicals such as harsh cleaning agents, for example, abrasive cleaners such as Comet or Ajax, or acidic chemicals such as vinegar. These products will affect the finish.
Tip 4: Use the Correct Cloth for Cleaning
Always use soft cleaning cloths like microfiber or soft cloths to maintain the shine and avoid scratching the surface.
FAQs for Cleaning Quartz Worktops
What Cleaner is Best for Quartz?
For everyday cleaning, you can use either soap or water or a cleaner that is specifically for quartz, or for harder stains a diluted mix of white vinegar and water works well too!
How Stain-Resistant are Quartz Countertops?
Quartz worktops are very stain resistant but not stain proof. But you can reduce this risk by wiping up spills right away.
How Do I Remove Stains from Quartz?
Using mild soap and warm water, or a cleaner specifically designed for quartz, may gently lift stains. As always, do not use chemicals and no scrubbing pads that are chemical or abrasive.
Do Quartz Worktops Need Sealing?
No. Unlike natural stone, quartz is nonporous so sealing is not needed which helps with durability and maintenance.
Top Mistakes Not to Do When Caring for Quartz
1. Not Cleaning Regularly
Cleaning regularly will help maintain the shine and life of your worktops.
2. Using Harsh Chemicals
Using harsh cleaners will ruin the surface of the quartz. It is always a good rule of thumb or whatever cleaner you use should be mild and non-abrasive.
3. Not Drying the Surface
After cleaning your quartz worktop, you need to dry it after cleaning. This will help to reduce water spots and keep the polished surface.
The Advantages of Using Quartz Worktops
Quartz Worktops Advantages
Exceptional durability – Quartz Worktops can withstand typical daily kitchen use while looking exquisite.
Resistency to Damage – Quartz worktops are easily able to resist scratches, stains, and heat making them excellent for busy kitchens.
Low maintenance – Quartz Worktops are non-porous and can be cleaned with mild dish soap and water when needed unlike natural stone which will to be sealed on a regular basis.
Variety – In terms of color and patterns, there are endless options to fit every style or design.
Installation Steps for Quartz Worktops
Professional Quartz Worktop Installation
We are specialists in quartz worktop installation and understand the need for accuracy and attention to detail at all times. When booking your quartz worktop installation, here's what you can expect:
Measurement & Preparation
Before installation, precise measurements are taken of your kitchen or bathroom to accommodate for a good fit and flawless finish. If your existing countertops need to be removed, our team will remove them from casework and check that the cabinets are level and stabilized.
Using the correct tools, we can accurately cut the quartz slabs to meet your specifications. Any adjustments, if required, can be done on-site in order to help achieve the right result.
Professional Installation
I strongly recommend using professional installers when installing quartz worktops. Our installers have the knowledge, expertise, techniques and tools necessary to achieve an excellent finish. From making clean and accurate cuts to ensuring the level and fitting is secure, a professional installation will achieve lasting durable and desktop elegance.
Also having your installation done by qualified installers means you will have peace of mind because your investment will be backed with warranties from reputable suppliers and companies.
Factors Influencing Cost
Several factors collectively influence the cost of quartz worktop installation, including:
- Location and scope of project
- Complexity of the design
- Additional features, (backsplashes or integrated sinks)
- Transportation of material and labor
- Time to complete customizations, (time is money)
Having an understanding of these factors will allow you to make an informed decision on your quartz worktop selection and budget accordingly.
Get a QuoteMaking Your Final Choice
As quartz kitchen worktop fitters, we understand how exciting, yet considered the process of choosing the right surface for your kitchen or bathroom can be. We thought we would give you some pointers to help you make the right choice:
Explore Styles and Finishes
Be sure to look through the vast range of quartz colours, patterns and finishes. With so much variety available you are guaranteed to discover the perfect quartz that will represent your style while achieving a single harmony throughout your home.
Consider Maintenance, Durability & Budget
Think about your long-term needs when it comes to upkeep, strength, and overall cost. Quartz is a good investment – it is durable, low-maintenance and intended to last for many years while retaining its original quality.
Get Your Space Ready
Make sure your kitchen or bathroom is clear and easily accessible before the installation team arrives on the scheduled day. All cabinets should be securely fixed and ready for the new worktops.
Quality Installation
Our professional teams will arrive with everything they need to fit your quartz worktops effectively, ensuring they look great and perform as intended.
Final Inspection and Warranty
Once the installation is complete, one of our professionals will complete a complete inspection to ensure that everything meets the highest standard. Any issues found during the inspection will be resolved under warranty which means you have full peace of mind.
We make it our goal to improve the look and practicality if your living space, each time we install a quartz worktop.
Benefits of Selecting Quartz Worktops
1. Strength and Durability
Quartz is exceptionally strong and highly resistant to chipping, scratching, and staining. Its inherent heat resistance makes it perfect for even the most active kitchens. Many natural stones can fade over time, but rest assured your quartz worktop will retain its original beauty with a little maintenance.
2. Non-Porous Surface – Easy to Clean & Hygienic
Quartz’s non-porous surface stops the growth of mold and bacteria, providing a clean, hygienic, and low-maintenance workspace. And, just like the previous point, quartz is easy to feel clean and maintain for the most part. It's very useful when you need a safe, hygienic surface to prepare food on in your everyday life.
3. Many Colours and Patterns
Quartz is available in a variety of colours and patterns, from soft whites to deep blacks, providing different possibilities to find a worktop that will suit your kitchen style and décor.
4. Ideal for Cooking and Meal Prep
While food prep is generally finished in kitchen areas, quartz performs very well in cooking jobs due to resistance to heat, protection from scratches by knives and utensils.
Types of Quartz Worktop Finish
Polished Quartz
A polished quartz countertop has a high-gloss, shiny, and luxurious finish that will instantly elevate any kitchen surface. Its easy to clean and maintain, and only takes a little work to keep it clean.
Honed or Matte Quartz
Honed or matte quartz have a smooth, matte, non-reflective surface. It creates a modern, clean-line aesthetic that makes it suitable for a more minimalist look. It is a great option for people looking for something understated and elegant.
Suede Quartz
Suede quartz has a soft, velvety texture, gently to touch, and a increasingly popular feature on contemporary styled kitchen it's tactile element adds a distinct sensation.
Popular Colors for Quartz Worktops
Black Quartz
Black quartz brings a touch of elegance and sophistication to any kitchen. Pairing well with strong and neutral colours, black quartz creates a stunning yet versatile look.
White Quartz
White quartz is always in style and is suitable for contemporary and traditional kitchens. Ranging from pure white to pale cream, quartz worktops brighten up a space, regardless of the additional colours introduced by your design style.
Grey Quartz
Grey quartz is a versatile modern colour choice that works well with a variety of colour schemes. Ideal for minimalist and contemporary kitchen designs, grey quartz contributes a sleek, refined finish.
How Are Quartz Worktops Made?
The Process of Making Quartz Worktops
Quartz has long been an attractive option to marble and granite, and it brings both beauty and durability. Quartz is no stranger in the world of home improvement, having first gained traction in the late 1980's, it has become one of the most reliable and stylish choices for those looking for beauty and durability in kitchens and bathrooms.
While it is often incorrectly classified as a synthetic material, quartz worktops are primarily made from natural quartz crystals. These quartz crystals are mined from igneous and metamorphic rocks, and then combined with resins, pigments, and other materials to create a surface that is highly durable and impact-resistant.
If you're thinking of using quartz worktops in your kitchen, you may be curious about how they are manufactured. In this guide, we will take you through the quartz worktop creation process and explain why quartz is such a good choice for your home.
The Quartz Manufacturing Process
Removing Raw Quartz
The first step to manufacturing quartz, is the removal of the natural quartz found in the Earth. Once natural quartz is mined, it is separated from the surrounding stone and prepared for manufacturing. The quartz is then ground into fine powder or granules, which are later formed into durable slabs.
Depending on the way the end slab is to look, the quartz powder or granules can differ. The size of grain may go from fine grains that look like sand, to pieces that look like gravel. In normal operations, different grains will be combined to create a unique style or finish.
Incorporating the Resins
After grinding, we add the bonding agents which typically represent between 5% and 8% of the entire composition. Bonding agents can include polymer resins, pigments (and sometimes we use glass or metal flakes to achieve desired color, strength, and design). In addition to color, the resins make quartz non-porous, which distinguishes quartz countertop usage vs natural stone. Non-porous also means much easier to clean and more sanitary.
Templating your Quartz Worktop
Every kitchen is different, so creating a template is the most accurate step to take to ensure the layout matches perfectly with the template is based on your specific layout. The templating phase replicates the measurements accurately, along with cut outs for sinks, cooktops and fixtures to ensure our cut-outs fit perfectly.
Shaping a Finished Worktop
Because quartz is resistant to heat, impact and scratches, making it a perfect choice of counter top, special tools were created to perfectly cut and polish a slab of quartz making your finished worktop look professional in your home kitchen.
Creating the Quartz Slabs
After the mixture is blended, the blended mixture is put into molds and compacted. Vacuums will pull out the air bubbles, and while levelling and smoothing the surface, it is important to have a consistent surface. This is a very important factor in achieving quartz's durable, non-porous properties.