Quartz is a naturally sourced crystalline mineral found abundantly. Though it is widely used for construction purposes, it is also popular choice for constructing bathroom and kitchen countertops. And although quartz and quartzite are from the same family of crystalline stones, quartz kitchen countertops are immensely popular among homeowners and home decorators alike, owing to its wider color palette, interesting patterns and textures and the way it coordinates with other stones.

The stone, quartz, is quite resilient and strong, it does need care to have a long life. Below is a list of the things you should avoid doing with your quartz countertop if you happen to be a new user.

Throwing Away Your Warranty Certificate

Like most things, quartz or silestone counters happen to come with a warranty certificate directly from the manufacturer, as proof of the authenticity. If you happen to lose it, not only will you be bombarded with expensive repairs and maintenance charges, the certificate comes with a set of cleaning and maintenance instructions to keep your counters looking shiny and lustrous for a long time. We highly advise keeping the certificate in a safe place, because you never know when you will have to claim the warranty.

Using Unsuitable Household Cleaners on Your Quartz Counters

Using common household cleaning supplies on your beautiful quartz countertop will quickly erode the natural beauty of the stone. Today, the market is heavily infiltrated with harsh cleaning supplies containing chemicals and preservatives that might be okay for stainless steel countertops and other durable surfaces but are not suitable for many sensitive items around the house. Always use a stone friendly, chemical free detergent that is specially built for quartz countertops. Not only will it keep your counters clean and shiny, it will also help maintain the stones natural beauty for a long time to come.

Scrubbing With Harsh Brightening Tools

We have all been there and done that! I know it can be tempting to use brightening scrubs on your countertops, but believe me, it will do more damage than harm! Always use a soft nylon brush or readily available scouring pads to clean the stains from your quartz counters. At the end of the day, quartz is a durable countertop surface that doesn’t need any brightening products, but if you keep it well maintained with the right products, it will certainly last you a lifetime.

Using Sharp Metallic Objects to Remove Stains From the Counter

So you just spilled something nasty on your counter, and even after cleaning your quartz countertop several times, the stain seems to have adhered to the countertop. Well, I know you’re tempted to pick up your knife or fork to scrape that bad boy off but wait! Using sharp metallic to scrape off pesky stains might permanently damage your counters or even worse, scrape the paint off making it look dull and uneven. Always use a plastic scraper or a plastic knife to scrape away the stains if needed.

Cutting Food Items on Your Quartz Countertop without a Cutting Board

As mentioned previously, quartz counters are extremely resilient and are not easily scratched. Hence, using your sharp knives to cut everyday vegetables on your countertops might not affect the surface easily but once in a while, cutting food items with greater force can permanently scratch the surface making your countertop look ugly. Always take precautions while cutting or chopping food items on your counters, or better yet, always use a cutting board for fruits, vegetables and meats. Better safe than sorry.

Taking Too Long To Clean Spills

Quartz is extremely resistant to spills and stains, but if it happens too frequently, you could be at a risk of damaging your counters for good, especially if the stain is acidic. Always clean up after using the kitchen immediately, instead of letting the spill harden and becoming permanent.

Sealing Your Quartz Countertop

Natural stone countertop surfaces like granite and marble need sealing. This mindset may trick you to consider sealing your quartz countertop. The fact here is that silestone countertops NC don’t need sealing and their factory polish lasts a long time. So, instead of applying a sealant, consider cleaning it regularly with a non-metallic and rounded tool such as a sponge or a cloth.