Everything you need to know about quartz worktops

When we bought our second-hand kitchen, we didn’t get to choose our own worktops. Obviously, we had to accept the ones that came with the kitchen (unless we wanted to fork out a few thousand for new ones). We took the kitchen out of someone’s house and transferred it to our own – a much more difficult feat than it sounds!

But, had I been given the choice, I think I would have picked a navy blue kitchen with quartz worktops, a bit like this:

But how easy is quartz to look after and how hard-wearing is it as a material? I’ve looked into all of the answers to help you keep your quartz worktops looking like new.

 

Are quartz worktops any good?

If you haven’t yet invested in your quartz worktops, you may be wondering if they’re any good. Here, I’ve listed all the benefits and disadvantages of quartz worktops to help you determine if they’re worth the purchase!

Firstly, quartz is one of the hardest minerals you can find on the planet. This makes it pretty much scratch and chip resistant (unless you really give it a good bash). It’s also a non-porous material. This makes it super easy to clean and doesn’t need frequent resealing, like some other types of stone require.

Quartz is also naturally anti-bacterial. While you may have to do some work to keep the surfaces clean and free of germs, this hygienic quality makes it the perfect material to form your kitchen worktops.

Finally, quartz comes in a huge variety of natural colours, including black, grey, white, brown, even blue. This means you’re sure to find a style that you love that will also compliment your kitchen units.

 

How to clean quartz worktops

As previously mentioned, quartz is naturally anti-bacterial. However, you will still need to clean it yourself to ensure it stays looking like new!

For every day cleaning, you should spray the surface with some antibacterial spray such as Dettol, and use a damp cloth to wipe any dirt away. If you can, you should take time to dry the surface as well.

Spills should be cleaned up immediately so they don’t become ingrained. Avoid using harsh chemicals where possible. You shouldn’t really use cleaning solutions such as glass cleaner or bleach, unless these have been diluted with water first. Also avoid using vinegar, ammonia, lemon or orange cleaners too. If you use these, the quartz can lose its natural shine and may start to look dull.

 

How are quartz worktops fitted?

Quartz is really really heavy, so care should be taken when you’re handling large pieces of the stuff.

Ideally, the slabs should be fitted with no joins. So where there’s one long continuous worktop, there shouldn’t be any joins. Instead, it should be one large piece of quartz that’s installed.

First, you need to ensure that the quartz fits correctly. At least three people should lift the quartz and carefully lower it into position. Markers should be made to ensure that the quartz fits perfectly once it’s been cut down to size. If the quartz does need cutting, this should be done by a professional as any old saw won’t do the job.

Once all the quartz pieces have been sized correctly and put into position, you should lift each slab one at a time and apply the caulk underneath. Slowly lower the slab into position and remove any excess caulk using a dry cloth. The weight of the slab should be enough to stick it in place and keep it from moving.

Finally, leave the caulk to set for at least a few hours. The worktop shouldn’t move and should be good for you to use for many years to come!

 

Quartz Worktop Inspiration