5 Mistakes to Avoid When Using Quartz Surfaces in Your New Kitchen

Several homeowners still consider kitchen remodels as one of the most important aspects of a home renovation project. According to the statistics revealed by the National Kitchen and Bath Association, one in ten households carries out a kitchen remodel each year.

Undeniably, the most important work surface in the house – the countertop is the main element that homeowners aim to replace.

Quartz countertops are becoming increasingly popular. In fact, they were used more than natural stone for kitchen remodels in 2018. The engineered quartz slab is available in several different options; it's durable and has lesser maintenance requirements.

Why Use Quartz Countertops?

There are several reasons why you should use quartz for your kitchen countertops. Some of these reasons include –

More Color Options

As quartz is an engineered stone, you can get it in a number of different colors as compared to natural stone. You have the regular speckled patterns in earth tones, along with several organic patterns that feature visual textures and patterns that look very much like marble and granite with veining. Plus, you also have stunning blacks and whites and even vibrant solid colors such as blues and reds.

Durable

If you are looking for a durable countertop, quartz is the way to go! As quartz contains resin, it is quite low-maintenance. If you spill something on your countertop, you can easily clean it using a soft cloth, and voila, you're good to go!

High Visual Appeal

With several new and sophisticated patterns and colors entering the market, quartz countertops offer style options for all kinds of kitchens.

You will find styles ranging from rustic to traditional, modern to farmhouse, and from black countertops to go with white cabinets to white counters to go with dark grey cabinets. Thus, you have endless options to choose from.

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5 Quartz Countertops Care Mistakes to Avoid

If you are planning to invest in a quartz countertop or already have one in your kitchen, you need to avoid these mistakes that can possibly ruin it.

1. Not Wiping Spills Immediately

If you allow any kind of spill to sit, particularly an acidic solution like wine or vinegar, for too long on your countertop, it will penetrate the stone, resulting in a stain. Quartz is usually marketed to be highly stain-resistant. Nevertheless, it's important to keep in mind that the engineered stone isn't entirely stain-proof.

The best way to prevent stains is to make sure they don't happen in the first place. However, if you do spill something, make sure to clean up the mess immediately. You can use a soft dishcloth along with warm soapy water to clean up the spills.

2. Using the Wrong Cleaning Agent

Using any cleaning agent that isn't recommended to be used on quartz will result in tough and lasting stains. Avoid using both alkaline and acidic cleaner because they will break down the bonds between quartz and resin and cause long-term damage to the surface. Harsh and acidic cleaning agents such as vinegar, lime, lemon are going to erode the sealant of the countertops' surface over time. This will make the surface more likely to stain.

The best cleaning agent for quartz countertops is the one that has been formulated especially for quartz. Apart from that, hand soaps, dish soaps, or antibacterial soaps mixed with water is sufficient to keep your countertops beautiful and clean. You can use this water and soap mixture for everyday cleaning, and it will be just as effective as any other quartz cleaner available in the market.

3. Scrubbing with Abrasive Brightening Pads

Avoid using abrasive cleaning pads to wipe your countertop, as this might cause tiny scratches on the surfaces. Such tiny scratches might not be noticeable initially. However, they can cause your quartz countertop to lose its luster and shine.

Use scouring pads or a microfiber cloth to clean your quartz surfaces. These cleaning tools are recommended by experts as they are soft, highly absorbent, and don't leave behind any water marks.

When properly taken care of using suitable cleaning tools, quartz countertops stay attractive and beautiful for a long time.

4. Placing Hot Items Directly on the Countertop

While quartz has high heat-resistant properties, it is not completely immune to heat. Temperatures over 300° F can mean bad news for your countertop.

Do not place hot pots or pans directly on your countertop, as extreme heat can damage the resin of the countertop's surface, resulting in discoloration. Discoloration due to heat damage is generally irreversible, and you will have to replace the whole slab of stone to get rid of the damage.

Besides, sudden extreme changes in temperature can cause the slab to crack. You should always use trivets or cooking pads when you have to place something hot on your quartz countertop to protect against direct exposure to heat.

5. Not Using a Chopping Board

Prevention is key when it comes to properly maintaining quartz countertops. Many quartz slabs, like Bellingham countertops, are NSF-approved. They are safe for the preparation of food.

However, with the right amount of force, using knives directly on the surface to cut and chop your ingredients can lead to scratches. The small scratches and nicks eventually erode your surface and wear away the beauty of your quartz countertop. Hence, you should always use a chopping board when cutting up foods to prevent scratches.

Last Few Words

Quartz counters are highly durable, but they can still be scratched, stained, or damaged if you don't take care of them properly. To make sure your quartz stays pristine for years to come, make sure to avoid the mistakes listed above and clean your counters regularly.

If you need help choosing and installing quartz counters for your bathroom or kitchen, contact our team, and we will be happy to guide you.