Kitchen renovations and upgrades in Utah often involve the replacement or improvement of kitchen countertops. Typically, quartz is a popular choice. It is durable, with an impressive aesthetic brought about by its natural-looking finish. It’s elegant yet practical.
At any time of the day, a quartz kitchen countertop in Utah sparkles in the light. This can make your kitchen looking polished all the time. It can be an essential investment. If you want to make it worthwhile, it’s crucial to maintain the quality of your quartz countertop. Here’s how:
First Things First
Have you heard of quartzite? It is often mistaken as quartz, which it’s not. You should know the difference so that next time you’re shopping for a quartz countertop, you’re getting the real thing.
Quartzite is originally a highly-crystalline sandstone that has been polished to achieve a distinctive look. Its distinct appearance is attained through heating and pressure. It is quarried and later finished to make it more appealing.
Quartz, on the other hand, is a crystalline mineral. It is engineered from a combination of pieces of natural quartz that are crushed and blended with pigments, bonding materials, and resins.
The combination of crystalline rocks and the use of pigments enable quartz to be made available in many colors, designs, and patterns. And because of this, many homeowners prefer quartz countertops over ones made from quartzite.
What to Use and What to Avoid
Before you get started on cleaning and polishing your countertop, you should know what cleaning products to use and what should be avoided.
Quartz is extremely sensitive to chemicals. When purchasing a surface cleaner for your countertop, choose products that are pH neutral, biodegradable, and non-toxic.
Never use acid or alkaline cleaners on your countertop. Otherwise, its natural finish will get damaged. Don’t use abrasive scouring pads when cleaning the surface, or it will get scratches.
You should also avoid applying extreme heat on the countertop surface or chopping food directly onto it. Always use a chopping board. With all these in mind, you can start cleaning your countertops.
Regular Cleaning
With everyday use, you can’t prevent spills and stains on your countertop. Quartz can be resistant to stain, but it’s best to wipe away spills immediately. Leaving them could lead to hard, sticky stains that might be difficult to remove when left for too long.
New spills can be wiped off with mild dishwashing detergent and a soft cloth. For heavy stains, however, you will need to use a non-abrasive sponge. Soft abrasive sponges used for non-stick pans can also be used. They are generally safe and effective.
If a mild dishwashing detergent doesn’t work on heavy stains, use a surface or glass cleaner instead.
Deep Cleaning
It’s also recommended to subject your counter to deep cleaning at least once a week. Soak the surface with a generous amount of surface cleaner. Leave it for ten or more minutes, and then wipe it off with a non-abrasive sponge.
Follow these simple steps to keep your countertop looking new.
