Cleaning Quartz Kitchen Countertops

Quartz kitchen countertops are extremely durable, but they're not indestructible, either. They won't break, or chip easily, but if you put them to the test of time, they might not fare well. Quartz is a tough material that's also highly resistant to scratching, but it's not indestructible either--and it's not very easy to find a quartz countertop that's both scratch-resistant and indestructible all at once. In fact, though, quartz is probably the most durable of all kitchen countertops on the market today, and it comes in a wide variety of price ranges so it's affordable to almost anybody. (It's so cheap, in fact, that many homeowners won't even bother looking for a replacement until the old one's "gone forever.")

Quartz kitchen countertops come in an incredibly wide variety of colors, though, so there's a great deal of variety to choose from. This means it's possible to create a very natural, almost barren look that's perfect for a more natural environment, or one that offers a dazzling array of rich tones and hues for a splash of color. The type of light that your countertop allows--whether natural or artificial--can affect the entire color scheme of your space. You can find quartz countertops in a wide range of natural stone colors, as well as neutral shades like taupe or off-white. However, natural stone countertops offer the most color options, and they can match nearly any other color scheme you have going on in your kitchen.

Quartz counters aren't always easy to clean, but some brands do offer a special kind of cleaner for them. If you're looking for something less abrasive, you can find plenty of other options, too. Some manufacturers make specially designed products just for countertops made from quartz. In addition to being able to clean quartz easily, however, these cleaners are also easy on the environment. Since they're naturally abrasive, they aren't likely to scratch or chip your countertops unless you really scrub hard.

One type of quartz kitchen countertops is engineered countertops. These are made from resins, which aren't very different from natural stone at all. What makes them unique is the way they're put together. First, layers of resins are poured into a mold. Then, these molds are turning to form the countertop, which requires some skill and care from a carpenter.

While engineered quartz countertops don't offer the same color and variety of colors available in natural stone, they're still easy to clean and they're durable, too. What's more, this type of countertop doesn't need to be sealed like natural stone kitchen countertops do. If anything, it should be wiped down with a damp cloth after every use, but only after a thorough cleaning. This is because the pigments in the resins Leach out and can stain anything they come in contact with, even things like silverware. Instead, it's a good idea to let these clean easily and then sweep or vacuum them off.

Unlike natural stone, though, quartz kitchen countertops that use resins may need to be sealed in order to maintain their color and consistency. The sealer works by locking in the pigments and their luster, but it also captures the oils in your kitchen so that your countertop stays beautiful for a longer period of time. To keep it looking its best, seal your countertop every couple of years. That way, you can enjoy its beauty without worrying about having to maintain it as much as you would a natural stone countertop.