Facts

• Quartz is manufactured in a factory.

• 93% is composed of crushed natural quartz / 7% is composed of polymers and resins which hold the crushed quartz together.

Positives

• Quartz is non-porous and does not require sealing.

• Quartz will not absorb fluids or materials which can cause deep stains (surface stains can still occur from items such as red wine, pizza sauce, etc.) Some of these surface stains can permanently stain the quartz.

• Quartz countertops can have a 12-inch overhang without support, while granite is limited to 10 inches without support.

• Quartz offers consistent patterns whereas natural stone will vary. Quartz can vary in color tone or pattern from slab to slab but is still more consistent than natural stone.

Things to Consider

• Quartz is heat sensitive; this is due to the resin (glue) that is used to bind the crushed quartz together during the production of quartz slabs. Direct exposure to high heat (300 degrees or higher) could cause burn marks, cracking, discoloring, or warping of the stone. Wisconsin Granite advises using trivets and hot pads when placing hot pans, older-model crockpots, and other hot items on quartz countertops.

• Quartz and natural stone may have variations in their finish. This means that when light reflects on it, some areas may appear shinier than others. This is due to the resin/epoxy used in quartz and in natural stone. This is used to help bind areas of the stone together.

• Honed/Matte finished quartz requires more care since fingerprints and marks are more visible (dark quartz colors will show more markings).

Quartz Care

A good philosophy to follow when cleaning quartz: less is more. Be gentle with your quartz, it is not indestructible. Daily Routine: a microfiber cloth with water only. If a little more attention is needed, use a little dish soap mixed with water. Make sure you wipe off any remaining dish soap as the residue left behind may cause a cloudy appearance. There are many safe quartz cleaners on the market, so always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines.

If a surface stain occurs, lightly apply liquid Bar Keeper’s Friend. Lightly scrub with your finger, do not press hard as it may remove some of the quartz finish. A Magic Eraser is another method for removing a mark on quartz countertops.

Things to Avoid

• Never use red or green Scotch Brite on quartz as they contain aluminum oxide (the same abrasive in sandpaper) and may dull quartz finish.

• Do not use abrasive cleaning agents such as regular Comet or Ajax.

• Do not let your quartz countertop come into contact with cleaning materials that have Hydrofluoric acid, Methylene Chloride, Trichloroethylene, or any product with a very high or very low PH. These types of chemicals may etch or discolor the surface of the quartz.

• Do not expose your quartz to sudden or rapid changes in temperature or sustained heating, especially near edges, seams, and cutouts. This may create enough thermal expansion energy to cause your countertops to crack.

• Avoid using metal knives and utensils directly on the quartz countertop, as metal may scratch the quartz. Use a cutting board when cutting.

• Prevent surface stains by wiping up spills in a timely manner.