How to Clean Silestone Heat Resistant Countertops

The beauty and strength of quartz is inside your Sileston countertop.

A popular alternative to granite countertops, quartz countertops -- commonly known as engineered stone -- are not porous, do not require sealing, and offer scratch-, stain- and heat-resistant surfaces. Manufactured quartz countertops are the product of mixing mined quartz with resins and pigments to create colors and designs. Subjected to tremendous heat and force, the finished product creates a superior countertop. Silestone brand quartz countertops also incorporate "microban" -- an antimicrobial solution mixed into the countertop for bacterial resistance. To keep the beauty of your countertop fresh, just perform simple care and cleaning.

Things You'll Need

• Dishcloths
• Mild dish soap
• Window cleaner spray
• Mild household cleaner
• Paper towels
• Hard-edged plastic tool

Instructions

1. Wipe crumbs and simple spills up using a dishcloth and hot soapy water. Alternatively, spray the surface with window cleaner spray or a similar mild household cleaner -- meaning one with a low pH -- and wipe up with your dishcloth. Either choice will clean your quartz countertop well.

2. Rinse the countertop surface off, using a fresh dish cloth dampened under running water and wrung out well. Dry with a cloth or air dry as preferred.

3. Dab, pour or spray a mild household cleaner, according to how it is normally applied, on difficult spills or mild stains. Dampen a cloth or paper towel and lay it over top of the area to create a poultice. Leave it in place for anywhere from three minutes to 10 minutes.

4. Wipe the area with a clean, wet washcloth, scrubbing slightly as needed. Rinse thoroughly with a fresh damp cloth, making sure you completely wipe up any residue. Allow the surface to air dry or dry it with a fresh cloth.

5. Scrape hardened materials, such as gum, adhesives and stuck on foods, off your quartz countertop with a hard plastic-edged tool such as an ice scraper or a stiff spatula or pancake turner. Try wetting the substance with warm soapy water or window cleaner to soften it up if needed.

6. Scrub the area, once it is scraped clear, with either warm, soapy water or another mild household cleaner. Rinse and dry thoroughly before using the surface.

Tips & Warnings

• A single-edged razor blade also works well for prying up dried messes. Take care to avoid injury; quartz is one of the hardest materials on earth -- next to several gem stones -- and combined with its smoothness, it can easily cause a razor to slip. Use a razor knife for best results.

• Continuous exposure to heat can result in damage to the counter surface, especially near the edge. Use trivets and potholders to protect the surface.

• Avoid using products that may discolor or abrade your Silestone's finish. These include oven or grill cleaners, abrasive cleaners, nail polish remover, paint strippers, oil soaps, and harsh chemicals or aggressive cleaners such as those with high alkaline pH levels.

References

• Cutting Edge Countertops: Quartz Surface Countertops
• H. L. Perfitt: Silestone -- A Unique Product
• Counter Intelligence: Care & Maintenance
• Sterling Manufacturing: Silestone Technical Information

Resources

• Granite Insider: Quartz Countertops
• Parbury: Silestone Antibacterial Hygienic Quartz Surfaces