How to Properly Clean and Care for Quartz Countertops

Your kitchen or bathroom just got the ultimate upgrade: brand-new quartz countertops. Quartz is beloved for being gorgeous to look at and low maintenance, but are there things you can do to keep your countertops looking new for years to come? How do you clean quartz countertops? Read on and we’ll answer these questions.

What are quartz countertops?

The word “quartz” probably brings to mind shiny precious gemstones like rose quartz, but the quartz that is used in countertops is usually quite different. As HGTV explains,

“Although some quartz countertops are actually made of … the natural stone, the new engineered material is actually created through a manufacturing process that mixes approximately 95 percent ground natural quartz with 5 percent polymer resins. The result is a super-hard, low-maintenance, natural stone-look countertop …”

Quartz countertops are becoming more and more popular because they’re pretty easy to maintain and can withstand daily wear better than some of the natural stone options. Engineered quartz has a non-porous surface, which means that it doesn’t absorb liquids or stains. This is the secret behind this product’s great functionality and low maintenance requirements. With quartz, you can have both luxurious looking countertops and a practical work surface!

While quartz tops are stain resistant, they’re not stain proof. This means that if you don’t clean spills, the staining agents may still settle into the surface. To prevent this from happening, make sure you’re cleaning spills promptly and using cutting boards and plates when handling stain-prone ingredient, such as citrus.

How to Clean Quartz Countertops

Daily cleaning
Wipe down your countertops after every use. You can use warm water or mild dish soap and a soft cloth or sponge.

Stubborn, sticky messes
Every once in a while you may encounter a caked on mess or stain that takes a little more work to remove. You should still never use scrubbing cleaning products or abrasive tools, but you can try letting it soak under a dampen towel for a while to loosen it up. If this doesn’t work, you can use cleaning products specially formulated for quartz surfaces or some other mild cleanser you may already have around your home, such as Barkeeper’s Friend. You can even apply a paste of baking soda and water, and rub it in with a soft cloth.

Deep cleaning
Spray generous amount of glass cleaner evenly on your counters until they’re saturated. Let it sit for a few minutes and wipe it down with a wet soft cloth. This will also leave your counters looking shiny!

Other Big Quartz Countertop Maintenance Tips

While quartz countertops can hold up to almost anything, they’re not indestructible. Follow the tips below to keep them looking their best for years to come.

• Avoid oil-based soaps, bleach, and anything containing trichlorethane or methylene chloride

• Keep ink and permanent markets away from your quartz countertops

• Clean up messes as soon as they happen

• Only install quartz inside to avoid fading in the outdoor sun

• Shine up the surface with glass cleaner

• Use hot pads and don’t expose your counters to high heat (the quartz surface is heat resistant, but not heat proof, and excessive heat can cause thermal shock, which leads to cracks)

• Use a cutting board for chopping instead of doing it directly on the counter

Now that you know how to keep your quartz countertops clean and beautiful, you may be in the market for adding more quartz to your home. Explore the brands we carry, get a free quote, and don’t hesitate to get in touch with our experts if you have any questions.