Silestone is a quartz material that provides the beauty of natural stone with the strength and durability of man-made materials. It is easy to clean, stain-resistant, and heat-resistant up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
However, silestone countertops are not indestructible. If you use the wrong products on your Silestone counters, it can cause permanent damage. Here are some things you should avoid using on Silestone countertops.
Vinegar
Vinegar is a common ingredient in many household cleaning solutions. However, it should be avoided when cleaning Silestone countertops.
The acidity of vinegar can cause damage to the surface and leave behind a sticky residue. This is especially true with darker colored stone surfaces as they are more susceptible to staining than lighter ones.
Salt
Salt is often used as a cleaning agent in kitchens and bathrooms. Nevertheless, it can cause damage to Silestone countertops because it contains minerals that can leave dark marks on the surface of the stone.
Salt also has an abrasive quality that can scratch off any coating applied to the surface of your countertop. If you have Silestone countertops in your kitchen or bathroom, stay away from salt.
Bleach
Bleach can be used to clean many surfaces, including Silestone countertops. However, bleach can cause discoloration or bleaching of the material if you aren’t careful about how much you use and how often you use it.
If you want to clean your Silestone countertop with bleach, use a small amount and make sure to wipe off any residue immediately after cleaning to prevent discoloration from occurring later on down the road.
Alcohol
Alcohol is another liquid that can permanently damage your Silestone surface over time. It’s also a common ingredient in many cleaning products so be sure not to mix these together before using them on your countertops.
Baking soda and water solution
Many people think that baking soda is a good cleaner for Silestone because it’s natural and doesn’t contain any chemicals.
However, baking soda will actually leave marks on your Silestone countertops if you use it too often or wipe away too much of the cleaner before it dries completely.
If you do use baking soda as an occasional cleaner on your Silestone countertops, make sure to wipe away all residue before it dries completely or else you’ll see white marks where the baking soda was applied.
Oven cleaners
Oven cleaners contain strong chemicals that can damage your Silestone kitchen countertop by making scratches on its surface or by removing its protective coating.
If you spill something on your Silestone kitchen countertop, just wipe it off with a cloth soaked in warm water and mild soap that does not contain any abrasive substances.
Ammonia solutions
Ammonia solution can cause severe damage to Silestone surfaces if left on them for an extended period of time.
Ammonia causes etching in the surface of quartzite, which ruins its appearance and makes it less resistant to stains and scratches over time. The longer you leave the ammonia on your Silestone surface, the more severe the damage will be.
Steel wool or scouring pads
Steel wool can scratch the surface of your Silestone countertops, causing permanent marks that will not come out with soap and water.
The pads also have a tendency to scratch your stone, so if you do use them make sure they are soft enough not to damage the surface.
Unless you have a specific need for steel wool or scouring pads such as cleaning grout, it’s best to avoid them when cleaning your countertops.
Bottom Line
Silestone is a type of Quartz countertops NC that has been made popular for its high quality and durability. The stone is extremely resistant to scratches, stains, and heat, making it the ideal choice for kitchen counters.
However, there are some things that you should not use on your Silestone countertop if you want it to last longer.