Halmann Vella | Silestone Maintenance and Care - Halmann Vella

Silestone Maintenance and Care

Posted by  on 
November 9, 2018
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Articles

Routine Care

Silestone requires very little maintenance. Simply wipe your Silestone surface with soap and warm water on a regular basis to maintain its beauty and shine for years to come. Any pH balanced general-purpose household cleaner may be used.

 

Advanced Cleaning

Grease Stains
For grease stains, apply a small amount of house-hold cleaner to the stain and rub with a non-scratch scouring pad.Rinse immediately with water.

 

Lime scale and hard water stains 
Hard water build-up can cause staining on Silestone surfaces. To clean these areas, apply a paste made from equal parts baking soda and white vinegar. Let it sit on the surface for 10-20 minutes, then remove with cold water using a non-scratch scouring pad or sponge. You may have to repeat this process several times in order to completely remove the stain. Another option is to sprinkle hydrochloric acid on the countertop surface and let it sit for one minute. Rinse with water. Do not use hydrochloric acid products on faucets or sinks as it may damage their finish.

 

Difficult Stains 
For difficult stains, use common house-hold cleaner on the affected area of the Silestone product for 2 minutes then scrub with a non-scratch scouring pad. Rinse thoroughly with water.

 

Loss of Sheen 
The loss of sheen on the surface of the Silestone countertop may be due to the use of products such as waxes, sprays or sealants to try to bring out the surface’s luster. However, these products become less effective over time. This lack of sheen therefore has nothing to do with the original mechanical sheen of the product when it leaves the factory. To recover this nonnatural sheen, a multi-purpose furniture spray that is suitable for the countertop can be used.

 

Difficult Spills 
Silestone’s advanced technology makes its surface resistant to damaging chemicals. To remove difficult spills, wipe the surface with dish soap, scrub with a non-scratch scouring pad and rinse with warm water.

For stains that harden as they dry (food, gum, nail polish, paint) remove by gently scraping the surface using a razor blade or putty knife, holding upright so as not to scratch the surface. Then clean using warm water and soap. Gray marks lefts by the razor can be wiped away with soap and water.

Difficult spots may be treated with one of the cleaners listed below. Leave the cleaner sitting for up to 10 minutes. Scrub and rinse thoroughly.

  • Lacquer Thinner
  • Rubbing Alcohol
  • Ammonia
  • Mineral Spirits
  • Vinegar
  • Paint Thinner

Caution should be exercised in the handling and storage of any of the above chemicals. Manufacturer’s instructions should be followed when using and storing these products.

 

Chemicals to Avoid
Avoid exposing your Silestone surface to strong chemicals and solvents. Items to avoid include: nail polish remover, permanent markers or inks, oil soaps, and furniture cleaners or paint strippers that contain trichloroethane or methylene chloride. Also avoid exposing your Silestone surface to chemicals with high alkaline/PH levels, such as oven cleaners. Caution must be used for the following:

  • Products containing oils or powders may leave a residue.
  • Repetitive use of abrasive scrubs and cleaners may dull Silestone’s finish.
  • Oven/grill cleaner may discolor Silestone and should be avoided.
  • Repetitive exposure to extreme heat may damage Silestone’s finish.

Extreme Heat Protection
Silestone is resistant to heat, and can withstand moderately high temperatures for brief periods of time without being damaged. Although Silestone is very heat resistant compared to other stone surfaces, all stone can be damaged by sudden and extreme temperature changes, especially near the edges. For this reason, we recommend using a trivet or a hot pad to protect your Silestone surface from extreme heat.

 

Precautions
DO NOT PLACE SILESTONE OUTDOORS OR IN PLACES WITH UV LIGHTING.

  • Over the years, the color and shade of Silestone products may suffer from the effect of the sun’s rays.

DO NOT USE WATER REPELLENTS OR SEALANTS TO BRING OUT THE LUSTER. o Once it has been installed, the sheen on Silestone is the natural luster of the product itself. Sealants and water repellents provide an artificial, ephemeral shine

DO NOT USE BLEACH AND SOLVENT

  • Do not use bleach for maintenance. When this product remains on the surface for more than 12 hours, the stone surface may lose its sheen.
  • Do not use chlorine-based products like trichloroethane (present in paint stripper). The surface of the material should not be re-polished – either on floors or countertops.
  • Do not use degreasing agents such as those used in oven cleaners.