Quartzite countertops maintenance is not a hard thing. I understand that it may not appear that way due to the numerous myths and misunderstandings that continue to circulate, causing confusion. maintaining quartzite, on the other hand, is a piece of cake… after you understand the easy techniques, right cleaning procedures, and regular maintenance tips.
What Are Quartzite Countertops?
The first thing you need to know is the nature of quartzite. Knowledge is the key to better trait and maintain your quartzite countertop.
Quartzite countertops are made from a natural stone called Quartzite. Quartzite is a rock that can be made naturally by geological process called metamorphism. Briefly, quartzite is made by the transformation of sandstone after being exposed to very high temperature (1,300 to 1,650 degrees Fahrenheit) and pressure.
By knowing the process by which quartzite is made, you can understand how durable quartzite countertops can be.
One of the confusing facts about quartzite that I see everywhere is considering Quartzite is the same as Quartz which is not right! Quartzite is a stone made by several minerals including quartz, which is a mineral not a stone.
Quartzite is a natural stone that is quarried and polished before being used in countertops, while quartz is a natural mineral, although quartz countertops are man made, and not quarried from natural accumulations of quartz.
Quartzite countertops can be in different colors, mainly white, beige, blue, grey and black. The overall colors are often combined with veins with different colors and minerals, adding beautiful natural patterns to quartz countertops.
The veins on the quartzite countertops are nothing but natural cracks that got filled with time by solutions carrying different minerals. These minerals can be deposited in these cracks, creating beautiful and colorful patterns on the quartzite countertops.
The main country where quartzite is quarried is brazil, which delivers two of the main quartzite types which are Taj Mahal quartzite and White Macauba quartzite.
Quartzite countertops are known for their high durability and hardness, heat resistance, stain resistance and abrasion resistance. On the other hand, acidic solutions can damage some parts of the quartzite countertops especially inside and around the veins!
Quartzite Countertops Sealing
Sealing is a preventive process that prevent countertops from staining and keep them shiny as new. However, we need to clarify some confusing around quartzite countertops sealing.
Do Quartzite Countertops Need to Be Sealed?
Absolutely yes! Quartzite as a natural stone, contains different minerals in addition to pores, so if you don’t seal these pores, they can suck liquids and spills, causing yellowing and discoloration of your quartzite countertop.
Sometimes, quartzite countertops come sealed from the manufacturer with a 10 or 15-year lifetime sealer, and most of the time you’ll need to seal your quartzite countertop just after the installation.
How Do You Know if Quartzite Is Sealed?
You can know that by applying the water absorbing test. You can do that by dropping few droplets of plain water on the quartzite surface and see what happens over the next five minutes.
If the water drops are still there on the quartzite’s surface, the sealant is protecting it. If you return to the counter and find the droplets have absorbed into the quartzite, it’s time to seal it.
How Often Do You Have to Seal Quartzite Countertops?
When you search on the web, you will find that you need to reseal your quartzite every year but this is not true! Actually, quartzite countertops should be sealed when needed, not on any fixed timeline.
Quartzite countertops will require sealing during installation and resealing every 1 – 5 years, depending on the color and porosity of the quartzite, the quality of the sealer, and correct sealant application.
You can perform the water absorbing test above to test every six month to know if your quartzite countertop need to be resealed.
Many factors can controls the sealing frequency of your quartzite countertops including: the type of quartzite, maintenance, wear and tear, type of sealant and application.
The type of quartzite is decisive when it comes to sealing frequency, as the porosity and the finishes of quartzite are different, which make the sealing periods different depending on the type of quartzite. You can perform water absorbing test to get an idea about your quartzite porosity. Also, your countertop manufacturer can help you figure out how often to reseal your specific product.
The maintenance of the quartzite countertop controls as well how often you need to reseal it. Avoiding acidic liquids spills well prevent your sealant from damages and expand it’s lifetime. Wiping immediately spills on your quartzite is a great habit as well to keep your sealant functional.
What I mean by wear and tear is the traffic on your quartzite countertop. Your sealant is more vulnerable if you’re are cooking to much. Liquids, heat and acids involved in cooking can damage your sealant quickly.
The nature of the sealant will controls the sealing frequency, as well as the application of a specific sealant mainly the number of coats that a quartzite countertop require.
What Sealants to Use for Quartzite Countertops?
The best sealant for quartzite countertops depending on our experience is the natural wax sealant. As wax sealants are more water resistant to the other alternatives.
Polyurethanes, natural wax, and acrylics make up the majority of topical stone sealers. They’re simple to use, but they fade rapidly.
Penetrating seals, on the other hand, are constructed of silicone and other liquid-repellent compounds. They penetrate the stone’s surface through pores and endure longer than topical sealers.
Quartzite Countertops Cleaning
After discussing the sealing of quartzite countertops, we’ll move know to quartzite countertops cleaning which consists of one of the most important factors in quartzite countertops maintenance.
What Should I Use to Clean My Quartzite Countertops?
The most efficient solution to clean your quartzite countertop without damaging it is using hot water and soap solution. You can change soap by dishes detergent which will do as good as soap. Make sure you use a wet cloth to rinse your quartzite countertop right after cleaning.
Another option is the baking soda and water paste. Mix baking soda with water in the amount of 3 tablespoons of soda and a liter of water, then sprinkled the mixture on the surface of the quartzite. After that gently wipe the quartzite with a dry cloth.
What Should You Not Use on Quartzite Countertops?
Quartzite is a porous natural stone made by a combination of minerals including Quartz, Feldspar and Mica. The countertop itself is covered by coats of a specific sealant to protect it from stains and penetration of liquids. The question that rise is : what should you not use on quartzite in order to maintain it’s shape and condition ? and this is what we’re going to present in this section.
Cleaning quartzite countertops is not an easy process. While there are hundreds of disinfecting cleansers available, the most of them are too harsh and abrasive for use on quartzite surfaces. This stone beauty should be given the attention it deserve, which means you should be aware of which things to avoid.
Our experience suggests that you avoid the following on your quartzite countertops:
- Acidic solutions
- Ammonia
- Bleach
- Vinegar
- Grout cleaners
- Bath tile cleaners
- Orange, lemon, or other citrus cleaners
- Glass cleaners
- Hydrogen peroxide
These chemicals, or any cleaning product containing these compounds, have the potential to remove the sealer off quartzite. Once the sealant has worn off, cleansers can soak into your quartzite and ruin it. Many of these chemicals have the potential to dull the stone as well.
Can You Use Quartz Cleaner on Quartzite?
90% of quartzite is made of quartz. With that being said, almost all the cleaners that are made for quartz can be applied to quartzite countertops with no worry. You just need to make sure that you avoid any hash chemicals and acidic solutions.
Check here top 5 best quartz countertops cleaners
How Do You Disinfect Quartzite?
You can use Clorox Wipes to disinfect your quartzite countertops. Clorox Wipes are entirely safe to use on quartzite countertops. Clorox Wipe has a pH of 8, which is alkaline to neutral. Because Clorox wipes include alcohol, they are also safe to use on quartzite sealant.
Tips for Carrying Quartzite Countertops
A proper cleaning require to follow some instructions so you keep your quartzite countertop in it’s best conditions.
Stains Should Be Removed as Soon as Possible
Granted, quartzite is substantially stain resistant when compared to other materials on the market. However, it is still strongly advised that you clean up any spills on your countertop. This is especially true for acidic fluids such as wine, sauces, sodas, and juices. If left on quartzite for an extended period of time, they can leave obvious and unsightly stains.
The same is true for any type of cooking oil. Cleaning up stains as soon as they appear is an essential element of quartzite countertop care. This manner, you can keep your countertop gleaming for a long time.
Always Use a Soft Cloth
It is strongly Advised that you wipe your countertop with a soft cloth. This material is easy to work with and gentle on the quartzite. It will also not peel away the sealant over time. Using It on a daily basis is a simple and efficient approach to maintain quartzite surfaces.
Always Use a Coaster
Quartzite is extremely scratch resistant when compared to other materials on the market. However, after placing your beverages on the counter, you should still try to place a coaster beneath them. You may properly protect your surface and save it from scratches by doing so. It is a simple and effective approach for maintaining high-quality quartzite surfaces and extend your sealant lifetime.
Quartzite Issues & Solutions
How to Remove Quartzite Stains and Yellow Spots?
Taking in consideration that quartzite is a porous rock, it can be stained of course, although quartzite shows a high stain resistance. The vulnerability to staining It will also depends on the state of your sealant.
Stains on quartzite are always dark patches or yellow (so called quartzite yellowing). However, in most circumstances, this problem may be readily addressed or avoided by using a quartzite sealer. Most stains are also easily removed with a quartzite poultice.
When stains are beneath the surface, the common way of spray and wipe will not be effective on quartzite countertops.
The key to eliminating a quartzite stain is to first identify the component that created the stain and then match that to the appropriate chemical agent for removing that sort of stain when building your poultice.
Stone Poultice Recipe
- Hydrogen peroxide-40% by volume.
- Plastic wrap
- Gloves
- Stirrer stick
- Unscented baby powder or talcum powder
- Plastic cup
- Razor blade
- Plastic putty knife
- Masking tape
How to Use
- Choose a test area (about 16′′x16′′) with the most stains or yellowing.
- In a cup, combine the peroxide and the baby powder and stir until it forms a paste with a viscosity of peanut butter.
- Using a putty knife, apply the paste to the stained area in a 1/4′′ thick layer.
- Wrap the area in plastic wrap.
- Tape the edges using masking tape.
- Cut one or two incisions in the plastic with the razor blade to allow it to breathe.
- Allow the paste to sit on the counter for 24 hours.
- After 24 hours, scrape off the dried mixture with a plastic putty knife.
- Rinse and dry the work area with water and a paper towel.
- When the surface is totally dry, compare it to the rest of the counter and assess your progress.
- There should be a noticeable improvement.
- Repeat the operation in other areas of the counter until the desired result is obtained.
Check this article about quartzite countertops yellowing and how to prevent it !
How to Fix a Chipped Quartzite Countertop?
The majority of minor chips and cracks may be fixed in a few simple steps:
Supplies
- Acid-free cleaner
- Superglue
- Masking tape
- Razor blade
How to Use
- Use an acid-free cleanser to clean the area around the chip and thoroughly dry it.
- Use masking tape to mask off the area immediately surrounding the chip. This will aid in the creation of a more flush and level finish, as well as preventing adhesive from getting on the surrounding area.
- Apply super glue to the chipped area until the glue is even with the surface. Take it slowly so you don’t spill!
- Allow at least 24 hours for the adhesive to set. This is an important step, so take your time! If you touch the glue while it is still drying, you risk damaging the surface and spreading adhesive beyond the damaged region.
- Remove the masking tape after the adhesive has dried. Gently scrape away any extra adhesive from the area with the razor blade at a 45-degree angle to the countertop. If necessary, scrape away any adhesive that has risen beyond the surface of the crack or chip to make it flush with the rest of the countertop.
- Polish the surrounding area with a damp piece of 300+ grit sandpaper if your countertop has a high gloss.
See Also: Do quartzite countertops chip, scratch or break easily ?
