Examples of quartz countertops

Some of the most familiar brands are MSI Quartz, Silestone, Caesarstone, and Cambria. Some of the other brands include Elements, HahnStone, LG Viaterra, Wilsonart Quartz, Corian Quartz, Daltile ONE Quartz, Pental, Zodiaq, Okite, and Santa Margherita Quartz.

Quartz countertops often have a higher price tag, but granite countertops have even higher priced slabs. This means granite is more expensive than quartz. Most people choose granite colors that are much cheaper and these higher-priced slabs aren’t all that common.

Keeping that in mind, Raphael Stone Collection- the leading quartz and porcelain countertop manufacturer in the US; offers free samples. Now, you can get up to 3 samples for your kitchen countertop, bathroom countertops, vanity tops and more.

Quartz costs $50-$100 per square foot including installation. A modest sized countertop of 54 s.f. will be $2,700-$5,400. Silestone is usually the most expensive but Caesarstone, Zodiaq, and Viatera are cheaper.

Darker colors can mitigate this issue, but they’re still more noticeable than they are with granite. Most people love the appearance of quartz, but others say it looks fake and cheap.

But how expensive is a quartz countertop? Compared to granite, quartz is generally going to cost you a bit more because it’s man-made and the price in controlled by the manufacturer (as opposed to buying raw material). Typically, quartz will cost you about $70-$100 per square foot.

Common household products like Windex, Clorox Multi-Surface and 3M Glass Cleaner are all safe to use on quartz. After using glass cleaner, wipe the countertops with a cloth or sponge rather than a paper towel to avoid leaving behind tiny fibers.

The Best Way to Clean Quartz Countertops

To disinfect your quartz countertops, we recommend adding isopropyl alcohol to your mixture. Isopropyl or rubbing alcohol is the same type of alcohol found in first aid kits. It is an effective disinfecting agent solution for stone surfaces when added to your cleaning solution.

Cleaning quartz countertops doesn’t need to take a lot of work. If you need something a little hardier than the initial soap and water, you can make your own quartz countertop cleaner using rubbing alcohol and dish detergent. Mix three parts dish detergent for one part rubbing alcohol. Mix with warm water.

Take care of fresh messes with mild dishwashing detergent and a soft cloth. For dried spills or heavy stains, your best chance is a glass or surface cleaner, a nonabrasive sponge (sponges designed for nonstick pans are safe and effective), and a little elbow grease.

Although vinegar is sometimes recommended for cleaning, we don’t think you should use vinegar on your quartz counters. It will effectively clean the surface but because vinegar is acidic, you can risk discoloring the surface.

For all its upsides, there are a few dangers to be aware of if you own a quartz countertop. You shouldn’t use any acidic or abrasive cleaners on it — stick to simple soap and water instead. Quartz is only recommended for indoor use as it’s durable but not indestructible.

Buff with Non-Abrasive Polish

If you know how to polish natural stone, the process of polishing quartz is similar. Spray Granite Gold Quartz Brite® directly on the surface of the quartz, then immediately buff to a luster with a microfiber cloth or paper towel and wipe dry with another microfiber cloth or paper towel.

Quartz Countertop Cleaners to Avoid

Most household cleaners you would usually use to do a quick clean with such as Windex, vinegar and Lysol wipes (some of which contain bleach) are not a good idea for quartz countertops. Vinegar is very acidic and can cause the quartz to discolour or disintegrate.

Bar Keepers Friend Granite & Stone Cleaner & Polish is specially formulated to remove stains, grease, and grime from natural stone and manufactured stone. Gentle enough to use daily on granite, quartz, silestone, and soapstone.