How Do You Clean Silestone? A Complete Guide for Stone Care

As one of the newer go-to choices for kitchen and bathroom countertops, Silestone is a material you're very likely to encounter in an apartment, house or even vacation rental. One reason it's so popular? Its reputation for low maintenance. With Silestone, it's possible to achieve the look and luster of high-end stone surfaces without having to seal the surface because it's engineered and non-porous.

Your Go-To Guide for Silestone TLC

When it's time to care for your Silestone surfaces, don't worry; here's what you need to know. What is Silestone? It's a brand name for quartz. Quartz is fabricated (sometimes it is called engineered or manmade) with more than 90 percent crushed natural quartz and resin. The appearance of quartz can be very similar to marble, granite, travertine and other natural stone, and that's highly attractive to home buyers. Granite and other natural stone are made by Mother Nature. Many consumers like the idea of the earth naturally producing what will become the unique centerpiece of their kitchens, as opposed to a mass-produced slab. Quartz is very durable and scratch-resistant. It's also naturally stain-resistant because it's non-porous. This means that Silestone does not require the same sealing process as does marble and granite. This makes Silestone a natural choice for kitchen countertops, where, if you cook often, spills happen. Silestone also has a high natural sheen. The high durability and low maintenance of Silestone can, at first, make you question your typical cleaning process. You might be used to cleaning, polishing and sealing your granite or other natural stone. With an engineered, non-porous surface, what is there to do? For starters, let's talk about what not to do.

Avoid These Practices to Take Care of Your Silestone

1. Don't apply sealants. As we mentioned above, they're unnecessary and may interfere with the natural sheen of your Silestone. Avoid using bleach, traditional soap and water, common household cleaners, bathroom cleaners or any other type of product that has not been specifically formulated for quartz. Why? Because quartz is fabricated with more than 90 percent natural stone particles, it is susceptible to the harsh chemicals found in common household cleaners. They'll dull the surface over time and wear away the professional finish, leaving you faced with the option of having the manufacturer repair or replace the counter at a hefty price tag.
2. If bleach or a similarly harsh product is accidentally applied — say, a spill or by an overly-zealous family member — immediately wipe it up, rinse the surface with water, and re-clean with a trusted stone care product formulated for quartz.
3. Resist putting hot plates or pans directly on your Silestone. Any direct source of heat, particularly over a long period, could affect the color, shape or texture of your Silestone. Instead, use trivets or place your heat sources elsewhere.

Fortunately, your actual cleaning routine is simple: Purchase an inexpensive, effective quartz cleaner, and use it liberally. Read the back of the bottle to ensure that you're using it the way you're supposed to… and repeat. This reduced routine may take some getting used to, but your Silestone will thank you for giving it the individualized care it deserves. A common fallback recommendation is to just clean with dish soap and water; realistically, it's not the best recommendation. That combination is prone to leaving streaks, which homeowners loathe, and it's not really formulated to clean the surface any more than it's formulated to clean anything but dishes. Due to the growth in popularity of quartz countertops and the need for a pH-balanced solution that's safe on quartz, we developed and launched the first combination cleaner and polish for these surfaces, Granite Gold Quartz Brite®.

Stock Your Cleaning Cabinet with Gentle, Effective Cleaners for Your Silestone

As it turns out, the true magic of easy, efficient cleaning relies heavily on smart product choices. You don't want to use a cleaner that's abrasive for your elegant yet surprisingly delicate Silestone. Instead, rely on a cleaner that's been formulated by Stone Care Experts to bring out the sheen in your stone without damaging it in any way. Interested in gleaning personalized recommendations for your specific stone care situation? Reach out to our friendly team today for more information!