Care & Maintenance

Countertops and Vanities

Use a neutral, pH-balanced cleaner, on a regular basis to remove residues from cooking oils and everyday food spills, as well as hairspray or other cosmetics. Be careful with common foods and drinks containing acids that may etch or dull the stone surface. Also, some common toiletries (i.e., perfume, toothpaste, mouthwash) contain acids and other ingredients that may damage the stone surface or degrade the sealer.

Floor Surfaces

Dust mop interior floors frequently using a clean, non-treated, dry dust mop. Sand, dirt and grit do the most damage to natural stone surfaces due to their abrasiveness. Mats or area rugs inside and outside an entrance will help to minimize the potential damage from these particles. In addition, be careful when using a vacuum cleaner as the metal or plastic attachments or wheels may scratch the surface. Damp mop the stone floor with a diluted solution of a neutral cleaner designed for stone. Keep off floor until completely dry, as wet stone floors may be slippery.

Bath and Other Wet Areas

Periodic use of a neutral stone cleaner will remove any soap scum or hard water deposits that may have formed. In the bath, or other wet areas, using a squeegee after each use can minimize soap scum and hard water deposit buildup.

The golden rules of stone care, ensuring the longetivity of your stones, can be summarized  as follows:

 

DO use coasters under glasses, especially if they contain alcohol or citrus juices.

DO use trivets or mats under hot dishes or cookware.

DO use place mats under china, ceramics, silver or other objects that may scratch your stone’s surface.

DO place a small rug or mat at entryways to trap dirt and sand from normal foot traffic.

DO dust countertops, islands, vanities and floors frequently.

DO blot up spills immediately to minimize permanent damage to the stone.

DO clean surfaces regularly with neutral cleaners designed for stone.

DON’T use vinegar, bleach, ammonia, other general purpose cleaners, bathroom cleaners or tub and tile cleaners.

DON’T use abrasive cleaners such as dry cleansers or soft cleansers.

DON’T use alkaline cleaners not specifically formulated for stone.

Note: The above instructions are for reference purposes only. Please always follow the instructions at the  label of the cleaning/maintenance product used. If in doubt please contact us or the manufacturer/supplier of the product.

What to Do When a Spill Occurs?

No matter how careful you are, spills are going to happen. A quick response and the right solutions can keep spills from damaging your stone or degrading the sealer.

Etch Marks

Highly acidic substances such as orange juice, coffee, vinegar, wine, tomato products, mustard and many soft drinks will “etch” most marble, limestone and travertine. Sealing allows you time to wipe up a spill, but it cannot stop the chemical reaction that may leave a dull mark.

General cleaners not specifically designed for natural stone are not recommended. These may etch away the polish, discolor the surface, scratch the stone or degrade the sealer. Professional refinishing is the best way to permanently remove etch marks and restore your natural stone’s even finish.

Food Spills

Scoop up the food with a plastic spoon. Blot with dry, white cloth. Spray the area with a neutral stone cleaner and wipe off excess with a clean cloth.

Liquid Spills

Blot away the excess with a clean, dry, white cloth while turning the cloth frequently. Spray the area with a neutral stone cleaner and wipe off excess with a clean cloth.

Oily Stains

If you identify the stain as having an oil base (from foods like salad, cooking oils, butter or some cosmetics) you may be able to remove the stain using a poultice. A poultice will wick up the stain from keep within the stone.

Mud

Let the mud stain dry completely. Remove dried mud with a soft plastic or nylon brush. Spray affected area with a neutral stone cleaner. Wipe dry with a clean cloth. If the stain remains, contact a professional cleaner.

Quartz

Quartz requires simple and routine care to maintain. Under normal situations, cleaning with a damp cloth and a liquid detergent will do the job; and when wiped dry its surface should look like new again. If necessary, a non-abrasive cleanser can be used. Adhered materials like food, gum or nail polish can be carefully scraped away with a plastic putty knife and any marks left by the blade can then be removed by a utilizing a specialized care product and rinsing with water.

Stubborn Stains or Dried Spills

Any multi-purpose cleaner or detergent can be used on these stains. For extra-stubborn spills, please consult your fabricator or call us. If it still persists, use a non-abrasive scouring pad to shift the dirt. It won't damage the tough surface. Cleaning liquids like bleach are also good for removing stains that seem to be hard to remove at first.

Spot Removal

To remove adhered materials, first scrape away the excess with a sharp blade. If there are any gray metal marks on the surface one of the regular cleaning agents will remove it. Finally, wash and rinse the surface in the normal way.

Polishing

Quartz is non-porous and will therefore keep its lustrous gloss and ultra-smooth surface without polishing or sealing.

Heat Resistance

Quartz can tolerate moderately hot temperatures for brief periods of time without being damaged. This makes this material suitable for kitchens, as an accidentally misplaced hot pot will not ruin the countertop. However, take care to avoid direct contact for a long time with very hot pots and always use a hot plate or trivet

Honed Finish

Quartz slabs that have been HONED, will require more daily maintenance than polished finishes. Since there is more exposed surface area with honed finishes, metal marks, finger prints and other signs of daily living will show on honed material. Most of these marks can be easily removed with little effort and cleaning products such as a white Scotch Bright pad, Windex and for tough stains a specialized product.

BUT always remember....Quart is tough but NOT indestructable

As with any surface, Quartz can be permanently damaged by exposure to strong chemicals and solvents that undermine its physical properties. Do not use products that contain trichlorethane or methylene chloride, such as paint removers or strippers. Avoid any highly aggressive cleaning agents like oven/grill cleaner that have high alkaline/PH levels. Call your professional stone supplier, installer or restoration specialist for problems that appear too difficult to treat. Should your surface accidentally be exposed to any of these damaging products rinse immediately with water to neutralize the effect.