Home and business owners who invest in Silestone counter tops will find these beautiful creations tend to cost more than other options out there. With the pricing difference, however, comes some serious advantages. No where is this more evident than in care and cleaning instructions for these natural quartz counters.



Since Silestone counter tops are made out of quartz they are strong, very strong. In fact, only diamonds, sapphires and topaz are harder than quartz. With this in mind, these counters tend to be about as scratch-proof as they come. They still do come with the basic warnings, but the risk of ruining them when accidents happen is greatly reduced. Just to be safe, however, it's best to avoid:

* Direct cutting. While this can be done without damage to the counters, the knives themselves can take a major beating. Use a cutting board or stone instead.

* Direct heat. Unlike any other counter out there, Silestone counter tops are burn and scorch resistant. Despite this, they are not burn and scorch proof. This means it's still a good idea to avoid direct contact with very hot items.

* Chipping. Due to its naturally hard nature, it is extremely hard to chip or crack, but it can still happen. While it's more likely a heavy bowl will simply break when hitting these countertops, try to avoid the situation anyway.

* Using harsh chemicals nearby. Products such as drain cleaners, oven cleaners and other strong solvents can damage the appearance of these countertops. Exercise care when they are used nearby.

Silestone isn't quite like other counter tops on the higher end market in that it is scratch resistant, stain resistant, burn resistant and even can go without a sealer. These counters are naturally nonporous, which takes this extra maintenance step off homeowner's shoulders. Cleaning, however, will still need to be done. There's no way around this one. As practically perfect as these counters might seem, dust, dirt and spills can still build up

on them.

Instructions for cleaning Silestone counter tops are as follows:

* Basic care. These counters tend to wipe clean very well with nothing more than a damp cloth. They can be buffed out with a dry cloth after ward. To remove basic dust, dirt and minor spills, add a little soapy water to the mix. Because of the hard, nonporous surface, harsh abrasives won't likely be needed for basic cleaning.

* Streak removal. If streaks are a problem, window cleaner or other mild household cleansers will generally do the trick. Just wipe it on and buff it off to remove the streaks.

* Stain removal. It is incredibly difficult to stain Silestone, but if concerns arise, use a product recommended by the manufacturer or one that is recommended for use on Silestone specifically. Different agents might be necessary for different types of stains.

Silestone counter tops tend to cost more than the competition, but they are also extremely difficult to damage and especially break. With a little basic are and maintenance, these counters can last a lifetime and look great doing so.