changing your home so you love it

« Back to Home

Things You Should Know About the Quartzite Countertops in Your Kitchen

Posted on

Quartzite countertops are becoming more popular in kitchens and can be beautiful when cared for properly. Quartzite is not overly difficult to maintain, and some properties make it a better choice for some homes than marble. Read on to learn more about getting quartzite countertops. 

What Is Quartzite

Quartzite is a natural stone that starts and sandstone but undergoes metamorphosis over time and becomes a hard stone. Quartzite is on the upper level of the hardness scale, harder even than glass but nearly two times, and is far more durable than many stone products on the market. 

Quartzite is also highly resistant to staining, even from food acids that might damage other stone. While the durability of quartzite might seem like it would be an excellent stone to cut directly on, it is harder than most knife edges and will dull the knife when you drag it over the surface. If you are considering quartzite for your kitchen, you will still need to keep those cutting boards on hand. 

Cleaning Quartzite

The easiest way to clean the quartzite countertops in your home is to use a mild cleanser and a paper towel to wipe off the surface. Anti-bacterial cleaners are acceptable in most cases; just be sure the cleaner is not left on the counter for an extended period. The material is not overly porous, so most things will not penetrate the stone, so when you wipe off the countertops, you will quickly remove the germs and bacteria on the surface.

You can use most modern cleaners on the surface of the quartzite, but bleach or ammonia products are not recommended and not necessary to keep the surface clean. If you are not putting food directly on the surface, warm water and a little mild soap are more than enough to keep the surface clean and looking great.

Sealing Quartzite

Quartzite is very durable on its own and often does not require a sealer to preserve the stone, but there are some variants of the stone that may absorb water over time. If you start to see dark staining around the sink where water is present most of the time, you may want to seal the quartzite countertops to ensure that water will not get in. 

If you are not sure what the requirements for sealing are, talk with the stone installer about the material used in your home. The installer can tell you if the quartzite you have needs a sealer or not. Some people prefer to seal the material as a precaution, and the installer can provide a suitable sealer for you to put on and explain the best way to apply it.


Share