International Stone Design USA Inc. | Care/Maintenance

General Routine Care and Maintenance

Quartz is highly resistant to stains caused by fruit juices, liquid food coloring, coffee, tea, wine, grapes, soft drinks, paints, nail polish and remover, automotive fluids, and permanent makers. If any of the above is spilt on the top/floor, immediately wipe off the stained area with any commonly available multi-purpose cleaner or household detergent and then with ordinary water.

For more stubborn spills and stains, repeat the procedure several times and use a household scouring pad to remove the stain. It is possible that some of the stubborn stains may leave a light mark or very slight discoloration on the stones. The high gloss finish and extremely low moisture absorption of Quartz fully eliminates the need for any sealing.

Use of Common Kitchen Implements

Common kitchen implements including sharp knives won’t harm the Quartz, as it is made up of pure natural quartz particles. Continued use of kitchen knives on the bench tops could dull the polished surface. Care should be exercised when moving heavy objects and avoid dropping heavy kitchen tools

Removing Foreign Materials

If food, chewing gum, nail polish, paint or any other foreign matter is found sticking to the slab, simply scrape away with a sharp blade or sharp plastic scraper. The metal surface used in scraping the dirt may leave grey metal marks on the surface, and ordinary scouring pads can easily remove them. Wash and rinse the surface in the normal way with water.

Maintenance of Honed Finish

Honed finish surfaces require more daily maintenance and care than the polished surfaces. The area exposed on a honed finish is more than the polished surface; hence any dirt, markings and scratches would be more obvious on a honed finish surface then on a polished surface. These makings can be removed using non abrasive cleaning products.

Advise to Installer

It is the duty of the installer to advise the customer of important aspects of how to Care and Maintain Quartz products.

Brushed and Polished Finish

Possible marks from metal cookware or utensils; fingerprints, food and beverages, and other items placed on, or moved across the countertop, may be visible on the surface.

Most marks can be easily removed with a cloth or sponge; or by using household cleaners such as a cleaning eraser or carefully scrubbing with a sponge and a non-abrasive cleaner such as Soft Scrub Advanced Cleaner®. Over time the Brushed finish will develop character and a patina unique to each customer.

Preventing Damage to Bench Tops from Heat

Quartz is designed and manufactured to withstand moderate heat but the product is not heat proof. The Thermal resistance is increased with the thicker the slab is, for example, a slab with the thickness of 3 cm is more resistant than a 2 cm slab. Like any other composite material, Quartz may be damaged by a sudden or lasting exposure to high temperature, mainly at the edges and cutouts of the product resulting in cracks.

To prevent thermal shock, discoloration or other damages, it is necessary to use insulating pads when putting hot objects on the surface to open flames and prolonged contact with very hot pots. We always recommend using a hot pad or trivet, especially when using cooking units such as electric frying pans, crock pots, or toaster ovens.

Exposure to Chemicals and Solvents

Quartz can be permanently damaged by prolonged exposure to strong chemicals and solvents. It is advisable not to use hydrofluoric acid, any product containing trichlorethane or methylene chloride and paint strippers.

Exposure to Direct Sunlight

Quartz slabs and tiles, when exposed to direct sunlight may result in color change and warping, it is advisable to avoid direct sunlight over a prolonged period on the surfaces.

Maintenance of Floors

Dust, grit and barrier materials from the floors should be removed on a daily basis by sweeping with a soft brush and when necessary by use of the machine. Sand can scratch the Quartz based tile floors and the surfaces should be always kept free from dust, sand and soil. Quartz surfaces can be easily cleaned with warm water and mild household detergent, using a standard mop. Make sure the floor is completely dry before allowing people to walk on it.

Silica Warning

All Quartz surfaces are perfectly safe for delivery, storage and use as certified by GREENGUARD for indoor quality and by NSF for sage food contact as per ANSI051.

However, as other stone products, all Quartz contains crystalline silica (quartz), which could be generated during the processing and fabricating (cutting, polishing, drilling, etc.)  Crystalline silica is a material known to the State of California to cause cancer and link to other diseases, such as tuberculosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and kidney and autoimmune disease if appropriate precautions and protective measures are not properly employed.

Therefore, all fabricators and installers of are obligated to comply with all local and other applicable rules, regulations, ordinances, and laws regarding the application, handling, storage, fabrication and disposal of.

We strongly recommends fabricators and installers strictly adhere to the requirements of the International Labor Organization (www.ilo.org) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (www.osha.gov) to control Silica dust exposure and reduce health risks.