How do you clean Silestone?
No special cleaning product is needed to clean Silestone countertop surfaces. Generally, it is suggested that bleaches and harsh chemicals are avoided. If you need more detail or want to know more, please see below.
What daily maintenance is needed for a Silestone surface?
Silestone is maintained with general cleaning after use and proper precautions when placing hot objects on the surface. If you need more detail or want to know more, please see below.
Knives & Cutting
- To prolong the life of your knives, always use a cutting board – natural quartz is one of the hardest minerals found in nature, making Silestone highly scratch-resistant, but that hardness may dull the sharpness of most knives
Sunlight & UV Rays
- Continuous long-term exposure to direct sunlight (UV rays) may result in slight discoloration of Silestone countertops and surfaces
Difficult Spills & Tough Stains
- To remove difficult spills, soak the area for 10 minutes with a mild household cleaner (such as Formula 409, Lysol, or Windex) then rinse and clean away with a soft Scotch Brite pad
- For stains that harden as they dry, such as food and gum, remove by gently scraping off of the surface (using a blade or putty remover) and then clean using warm water and soap
Water Repellents
Do not use water repellents or sealants to bring out the luster
- Once it has been installed, the sheen on Silestone is the natural sheen/luster of the product itself
- Sealants and water repellents provide an artificial, ephemeral shine
- Do not use paint strippers, caustic soda, or products with a ph of more than 10
- If bleach or solvent is used, it should be diluted with water and never left in permanent contact with the product
Bleach & Solvents
Bleach and solvent can continue to affect the product 12 hours later
- Do not use chlorine-based products like dichloromethane (present in paint stripper)
- The surface of the material should not be re-polished – either on floors or on a countertop
- Do not use degreasing agents such as those used in oven cleaners
- Keep Silestone separate from sources of heat (deep-fat fryers, etc.)
High Temperature & Heat
- Silestone can withstand high temperature for short periods of time and performance varies based on factors like thickness, color, location
- Silestone Surfaces should not be exposed to sustained heat (i.e. hot saucepans, frying pans, or deep-fat fryers should not be placed on it)
- Use a hot pad or trivet
Chemicals & Acids
High Resistance: Acids, oils, coffee, wine, soft drinks, etc.
Do not use, under any circumstance: Hydrofluoric acid, dichloromethane, NaOH – caustic soda or paint strippers.
Bleach: Do not use for maintenance. When this product remains on the surface for more than 12 hours, it may lose its sheen.
Alkaline cleaning products with Ph>12: Do not use for maintenance: when this product remains on the surface for more than 12 hours, it may lose its sheen.