CARE FOR A QUARTZ COUNTERTOP

This natural material is one of those stones that you will find on the higher end of the hardness scale. Natural quartz has a hardness of 7, making it suitable for a variety of uses. The formation of this natural stone is an interesting process.

With characteristics that make it quite different from other materials, yet desirable to homeowners, quartz is used for some very practical applications.

Taking care of it can be a fairly simple task with a little knowledge and a good routine. In this article, we consider some of the basic information about natural quartzite.

Another characteristic of quartz that derives from its quartz content is its hardness. Because there is so much quartz in quartzite, it is very hard. Quartzite is one of the hardest natural stones used in architecture, ranking 7 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. The hardness makes it scratch resistant and highly durable.

Caring for a quartzite countertop is fairly straightforward. The simple routine of regular cleaning using an appropriate cleaner and periodic sealer applications keeps a quartzite countertop looking good and performing well for many years. Let’s elaborate on how this routine works.

Sealing Natural Quartzite

The first aspect of the routine that we will consider is the application of sealer. Quartzite sealer does not make the surface of the stone impervious to staining. Rather, it gives the stone the ability to resist absorbing liquid at a quick rate. In other words, it slows down the rate of absorption so that the owner can clean the surface before the stone “soaks up” the liquid. This means, the quicker a spill is cleaned up, the better the results.

Proper Cleaners Make a Difference

Why does it matter what cleaner you use to clean a quartzite surface? The short answer is that some cleaners will destroy the sealer. Acidic cleaners break down the sealer immediately when applied. As a result, the best cleaner to use is a quartzite cleaner that is pH neutral. Using such a cleaner will allow the sealer to do its job longer. Using a pH-neutral cleaner and responding quickly to spills will extend the period between sealer applications.

As we have seen in this article, quartzite is a very hard material that is durable, versatile, and not complicated to care for and maintain. If you have your eye on quartzite surfaces, you will be getting a great material with a lot of potentials!