I have Cambria Torquay and use Clorox wipes on them all the time. I use them to wipe down my counters, then follow it up with Method granite polish from Target (LOVE that stuff!) There is absolutely no streaking, haze, residue, discoloration, etc. I frequently put hot items straight onto the countertop, but try to use a trivet or pot holder most of the time. I'm not super worried about it, but I figure it doesn't hurt to use a little extra caution. I was given the option of having the sink cut-out finished into a cutting board, so I used that for a long time as a tester of sorts. It has held up to all stains and temperatures I've subjected it to. I was advised by the installer to use a it of straight acetone for any stains that couldn't be removed with regular cleaner or by scraping with a razor blade. That was four years ago, and I have yet to find anything that didn't wipe right off. And that's saying something, because I have young children. I absolutely love my quartz counters and would buy them again in a heartbeat.

I have read that bleach can yellow a white quartz so I'd stick to what the manufacturer recommends for stains and rinse well after cleaning. Most recommend Soft Scrub with Bleach. The only problem I've seen mentioned on the kitchen forum is surface pitting on Chinese quartz. I'd be wary of laying a hot hair implement on it and scorching the resin since you're not supposed to put hot pots directly on it in kitchen use.

It really depends on the price of the house and its location. In many expensive neighborhoods, people will replace a 2 year old kitchen just because it's "not their taste". If a more modestly priced or even low-priced area, I think countertops would be an issues only if they were some strong color (bright yellow or orange Formica or some such). People have pretty strong opinions about countertops these days. Higher end kitchens are expected to have either quartz or marble; spec housing expects granite. Me? I don't care for either! I LOVE my Glacier White Corian countertops and have done so now for 33 years! Blondaninomina, I cannot imagine what on earth you are talking about saying they are not "functional"! They are very easy to clean, practically indestructible (no hot pans, though), and wear like iron. Mine look like they did when they were first installed. But I am aware that people today think of Corian as "low-end" countertops in the US; in Europe and the UK, they are considered very high end. I remodeled my kitchen for myself; if the new owners don't like it, they are welcome to replace it.

Our painter has done many homes' cabinets. They use a semi-gloss and it looks great. Just not sure how long-lasting it will be. (We will probably sell in 5 years.). The veining on the Botanica is pretty light. The older version of it - when it was made in China - was much darker.