HOW TO TAKE CARE OF QUARTZ SINTERS WORKTOP?

MANUAL OF USING THE WORKTOPS MADE OF QUARTZ SINTERS

The LAMINAM quartz sinters are manufactured in a unique technological process, where natural clay raw materials, granites, metamorphic rocks and ceramic pigments are used. The materials mentioned are densified during the forming process, pressed and sintered in temperature of 1200°C. Thanks to technology applied, high quality of the raw materials and the temperature of cutting, the LAMINAM sinters surfaces have an exceptional look and properties, including thermal, hygienic, weather, stain, scratches resistance and low water absorption.

The LAMINAM slabs are perfect to finish interiors, including horizontal workspaces such as kitchen worktops, table tops, as well as for cladding, such as door panels and kitchen fronts.

Advantages of the LAMINAM quartz sinters in interiors

The LAMINAM quartz sinter is a material which does not contain organic materials. That makes it resistant to fire and high temperature in household use. Its resistance to surface heat enables placing hot frying-pans or dishes on the worktop.

Food may be left in direct contact with the LAMINAM worktop. Its surface is hygienic and resistant to mould. Worktops made of the LAMINAM quartz sinters are safe for food products as they do not release harmful elements in a solution. Pathogens such as bacteria or fungus do not grow on their surfaces.

The LAMINAM surfaces can be easily and quickly cleaned as they are highly resistant to stains*, cleaning agents and detergents*.

The LAMINAM has excellent resistance to scratches and deep wear*, even in case of the direct contact with metal tools such as cutlery and kitchen knives.

The LAMINAM slabs do not change their appearance even outside with time, they have excellent resistance to UV and weather. They are dimensionally stable.

Maintenance and care

Before starting cleaning the worktop or the cupboard front it is advisable to make a test on a small part of the material using the chosen cleaning agent. It is important to remember that removing stains is much easier immediately after the surface gets dirty. All marks or stains on the worktop are usually caused by improper and superficial cleaning. The cleaning should be performed in compliance with the information on the technical information sheets and labels of used products.

*these properties are not guaranteed in case of polished quartz sinter which is more sensitive than other LAMINAM surfaces. This kind of finishing is achieved by a complex mechanical work. It is not advisable to make washbasins and baths of this product.

Everyday cleaning

For everyday cleaning of the LAMINAM slabs warm water and, if necessary, mild detergents should be used (for example soap or detergents destined for cleaning worktops). Cleaning activities must be performed with a cloth or soft sponge. Rinse the surface with lots of water and wipe it with a soft cloth or kitchen towel. To prevent from a transparent film, it is not advisable to use products containing wax. Strong detergents and coarse pads should not be used.

Cleaning difficult dirt of the LAMINAM with a decorative texture (e.g. matt or bocciardo) and Soft Touch

In order to remove from the LAMINAM surface very resistant dirt, it is advisable to initially clean the surface with warm water and mild detergent. If it is not sufficient, stronger techniques of cleaning should be applied, with the use of certain products destined to the character of the dirt, for example:

  • Non-aggresive detergents with neutral pH
  • Slightly abrasive detergents
  • Acid detergents (e.g. removing scale) or basic detergents (e.g. bleach)
  • Solvent based detergents (e.g. acetone).
  • After using the detergents mentioned above, the worktop surface should be rinsed with water and dried.

In order to remove the remains of dried materials such as chewing gum, wooden or plastic stripper should be used, and then the surface should be cleaned with a gentle detergent with a soft sponge or cloth. If the worktop is dirty from paints or felt-tip pens, the surface should be immediately cleaned with special detergents, such as paint thinner, trichloroethylene, turpentine or other solvent based detergents. Finally, the worktop should be rinsed with a lot of water and wiped dry. All permanent marks of graphite or other made by metal objects can be removed with acids used to remove limescale or hydrochloric acid available in the market. The acid must be left for 10 minutes on the mark left by metal and then the cleaning spot must be rinsed a few times with a lot of water and dried. If necessary, a slightly abrasive sponge should be used, after checking first how it works on a small part of the material.

Polishing the LAMINAM slab

Some kinds of stains, if not immediately removed, can leave visible marks on the surface. It is typical for this kind of finishing. In case of spilling liquids like coffee, red wine, tea etc, the surface should be immediately dried with an absorbent cloth, avoiding spreading the stain on bigger space. If the stain remains on the surface for a long time, it will be difficult to remove it entirely. The bleach can be used to remove only stubborn stains. Using this detergent, a soft cloth should be soaked in the bleach and the surface should be wiped. Most stains will disappear after 2-3 minutes of wiping. Alternatively, a direct contact of the bleach with dirty surface can be tried. The detergent should be left for no longer than 10 minutes. Then, it must be rinsed precisely – always and in every case – with lots of water and finally the surface should be dried with a cloth. If necessary, it is advisable to repeat the activity a few times. The time of contact between the bleach and the worktop should not be lengthened. Acid products (the same as used to remove limescale), acetone or solvents can also be used. By no means can coarse sponges or materials such as detergents containing abrasive particulates be used. It is not allowed to use brushes, metal scrapers or steel tools. Detergents with strong alkaline pH cannot be used for cleaning.

In order to protect the worktops from stains, we recommend protecting them with impregnants, e.g. FILA MP 90. Impregnation should be repeated according to the recommendations of the given agent’s manufacturer.

LAMINAM – FILO series

The Filo series is a finishing designed especially for cladding. The material is obtained by using metal particles on the slabs surfaces, which makes the product sensitive to acids and products containing acids, as well as to scratches and wear. Such possible changes of the surface should be treated as distinctive features of this material. As a result, the products from the Filos series should not be treated with products containing acids, like descalers. By no means can coarse pads or materials like detergents containing abrasive particulates, metal cloths or steel tools be used. In order to remove stubborn dirt, alcohol, basic detergents, bleaches can be used. After the cleanin, the worktop should be rinsed with lots of water. The surface should be cleaned with a soft sponge soaked with water and detergent, and then rinsed and dried with a cloth.

WARNING

Check if the worktop made of the LAMINAM quartz sinters (kitchen worktop, bathroom worktop etc) is installed correctly. For example, the sides of the workspace must be adequately supported or reinforced, especially in the area with openings for a washbasin and a cooker.

  • Make sure, the base of the device is level during the worktop installation and that the surface is ideally flat.
  • Make sure that under the sink a support consisting of a tie bar mounted on the device structure is installed
  • Do not use inadequate products.
  • Do not sit or stand on the worktop.
  • The LAMINAM surface is very strong, but do not use the worktop to pound meat.
  • For this purpose, use the chopping board. Pound the meat far from all openings in the worktop (e.g. the washbasin opening), edges or corners.
  • It is not advisable to cut the foods directly on the worktop as it can make the tools blunt quickly. Besides, wearing and blunting knives can leave metallic marks on the worktop. These marks should be removed with acids. If the worktop is made of the LAMINAM polished slab you have to always use a chopping board.
  • Avoid hits caused by the tools falling from heights or other heavy objects falling on the workspace or the worktop’s edges. Heavy objects can damage the worktop surface.
  • Avoid contact with adhesives and silicons as after their hardening it will not be always possible to remove the remains.
  • Avoid dragging hard objects, such as dishes, pots, knives, directly on the workspace.
  • While cutting, use a chopping board, put the objects on the mats and coasters to avoid direct dragging on the workspace.
  • Especially in case of polished surfaces, by no means can you use coarse pads or materials like detergents containing abrasive particulates.