General Care for Your Kitchen Granite or Quartz Worktop
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Granite or Quartz Worktops...
Quartz Worktops
Does Quartz Stain. Quartz counter tops are highly stain resistant, have a very low water absorption rate, and do not require sealing. However, approximately 7% of your quartz counter top is composed of petroleum based resin and pigments. Resin will react with some chemicals however, with normal use staining will never be an issue with your quartz counter tops. We don’t recommend using your quartz counter top for hobby work, using products such as paint or chemical solvents, sodium hydroxide and permanent markers can permanently stain a quartz counter top. Is Quartz as Heat Resistant as Granite Quartz is heat resistant, however, the resin used to bind the quartz matrix may dis-colour (turn white) if heated too high. Never place hot pots and pans directly from the stove or oven directly onto a quartz counter top. Always use a chopping board when cutting or carving , as this will ultimately affect its appearance. Will Sunlight Damage a Quartz Worktop. Quartz is UV resistant and perfectly suited to a variety of interior applications, even in south facing rooms where there is lots of sunlight. Quartz is not suitable for exterior applications. If Quartz is used outdoors, it may become damaged by prolonged exposure to direct sunlight and the heat it emits, especially with darker colours. Does a Quartz Worktop Scratch. Quartz is almost indestructible and has impressive strength compared to natural stone counter tops. Quartz is highly scratch resistant, but it can and does scratch. Tight-grained, dark, solid colours are more especially susceptible. Never drag heavy items, especially ceramic pots over your quartz counter top and immediately clean any sandy grit off your tops. Don’t use abrasive cleaners or pads. Chopping or slicing directly onto your quartz worktop is not recommended, as this will ultimately affect its appearance, and the same applies to placing boiling hot crockery directly on top of quartz. Always use a pot stand or chopping board between the pot/dish and the quartz top. How to Clean a Quartz Worktop Quartz worktops are in the main resistant to stains and scratches and easily withstands chipping if used for normal kitchen purposes. It can handle almost any household task, ensuring that its good-as-new appearance. However, even a material as durable as quartz can be damaged if it is not used and maintained properly. When cleaning a Quartz worktop, simply use warm soapy water, a mild or gentle dish soap and a soft cloth will suffice and dry immediately and completely. Abrasive products such as vinegar, lemon and lime should never be used in the cleaning , while wire wool are completely unsuitable. This is because they could damage the sealant or polishing on the worktop in the long run and dull the shine of your worktop. Chopping or slicing directly onto your quartz worktop is not recommended, as this will ultimately affect its appearance, and the same applies to placing boiling hot crockery directly on top of quartz. Always use a pot stand or chopping board between the pot/dish and the quartz top. Always wipe spills immediately, ideally soak up spills rather than wipe as this, spreads the liquid around a larger area, (especially for suspect material). Once soaked, use warm water and a clean cloth, then wipe dry. Tip: allow to dry before replacing worktop items, such as kitchen utensils, toasters, bread boards etc., |
Granite Worktops
How to Clean a Granite or Quartz Worktop One of the best qualities of a granite worktop is that its relatively simple to maintain. Granite is a tough material and under normal usage is stain resistant to markings and scratches, although the extremes of these could leave a lasting impression on the worktop. However, even a material as tough as granite is not immune to damage from extreme heat or scratching, so never place boiling very hot crockery directly on it, or chop or slice anything without placing a chopping board underneath. If you spill something on a granite worktop, wipe/soak off immediately, as coloured/acidic products, such as paint, oil, chemical products, could leave stains that may be impossible to fully remove afterwards without leaving a stain or shadow. When cleaning a granite worktop, simply use warm soapy water, a mild or gentle dish soap and a soft cloth will suffice and dry immediately and completely. Abrasive products such as vinegar, lemon and lime should never be used in the cleaning of granite, while wire wool are completely unsuitable. This is because they could damage the sealant or polishing on the worktop in the long run and dull the shine of your worktop. If you need to disinfect the worktop and get rid of bacteria, mix water and isopropyl alcohol (available from pharmacies) together in equal quantities and spray it onto the granite surface. Leave it sit for 3-5 minutes and then rinse with water before drying with a clean microfiber cloth. If you’re trying to remove a particularly tough stain from a granite worktop, baking soda can be quite effective. It should be mixed with water for oil-based stains or hydrogen peroxide for water-based stains to form a paste, which you should spread liberally over the stain. Leave it for a few hours before wiping away the paste and then clean the area with a warm cloth and a small amount of dish soap and leave to dry fully. Tip: Always test in a small, inconspicuous area first to make sure that there is no damage to the surface, continue if you are happy with the result. Tougher Spillages, Carefully use a non-abrasive cleaner or vinegar solution may be required. Avoid abrasive or acidic cleaners such as bleach, oven cleaners, harsh powders and steel wool. Tip: Always test any new or unfamiliar cleaner, in an inconspicuous area of your worktop first, use and leave for at least 20-30 minutes, if you are happy then continue to clean using the same solution. Difficult or stubborn stains or objects such as gum, grease or paint that is affixed to your quartz counter top can be removed with a plastic putty knife. (do not use a metal knife). Other greases should be removed immediately with a specialised de-greasing cleaner. Ink or permanent marker stains can be removed with an oil-based cleaner, soak up rather than wipe, as this spreads the stain even further… Thereafter rinse the area with warm water immediately after the stain is removed, wipe dry completely and allow to work top to dry fully, before placing any objects back on the counter top Disclaimer: Information placed in the interest of our customers only, used for the care of worktops. No responsibility can be borne by O’Neill Interiors, their agents or suppliers for any use or misuse of the products as identified above. All responsibility must rest with the user. |