Quartzite is one of the materials we offer here at Bedrock Quartz. It is aesthetically beautiful as well as being strong, durable, and fairly easy to take care of. Cleaning up is not a big deal either. In fact, no special cleaner is required for quartzite countertops. But one is still recommended.
What is quartzite?
Just in case you haven’t heard of this wonderful material before, quartzite is a metamorphic rock based in quartz sandstone. Nature makes it almost entirely out of quartz grains that have been fused together by time, temperature, and pressure. Its status as a metamorphic rock makes quartzite extremely strong.
Complimentary minerals are what give quartzite its unique colors. You can find quartzite in a variety of whites and greys. Pink quartzite is even quarried from time to time. The range of possibilities is one of the factors that makes quartzite attractive as a material for countertops.
Cleaning With Soap and Water
Quartzite is not especially susceptible to staining if you practice some common care tips. As an example, the best way to avoid stains is to wipe up spills as soon as they occur. An absorbent cloth or sponge will do the trick. As for daily cleaning, a gentle soap and warm water are usually sufficient.
The same dish soap that gets your plates and stemware clean will work well enough on quartzite. There is rarely a need to aggressively scrub, either. Just let the warm water and soap soak for a few seconds, then wipe everything clean. It is pretty straightforward.
Specialized Quartzite Cleaners
If you want to optimize the care and maintenance of your quartzite countertops, you should invest in a specialized cleaner. Quartzite cleaners are typically stone-specific products that are not necessarily good for other materials. But rest assured that there is plenty of overlap.
At any rate, a specialized quartzite cleaner will likely be pH neutral. Being pH neutral makes them safe for natural stone surfaces that would otherwise be subjected to etching and other types of damage. They offer a good clean without compromising either the stone or its sealant.
As for where you can buy specialized cleaners, check your local home improvement or department store. Wherever you find kitchen cleaning products, you should be able to find a cleaner for quartzite.
Proper Sealing Also Helps
One of the reasons quartzite cleans up so easily is that the stone surface is actually protected by a sealant. At least it should be. A sealant acts as a layer between the stone surface and any liquid or food spilled on top. What does this tell you? That proper sealing makes cleanup easier.
Be sure to have your countertops sealed on a regular basis. What that means in terms of frequency depends on how heavily your countertops are used. Consult the label of your favorite sealant for details. Typically, quartzite countertops need to be resealed annually. You may have to do it in as little as 6 months if your countertops take a lot of punishment.
A Quick Word About Quartz
We should probably conclude this post with a quick word about quartz. When it comes to cleaning countertops, people sometimes confuse quartzite with quartz. They are two different materials. Quartzite is a natural stone while quartz is a manufactured material made from quartz crystals and resin.
A cleaner suitable for quartzite is likely to work well on quartz, too. But a general-purpose cleaner purchased for quartz countertops may not be a good product for quartzite. If you ever have any questions about cleaning, do not be afraid to ask a professional.
