How to Clean Quartz Countertops
Quartz is a very durable, very low maintenance countertop material. It is a nonporous and nonabsorbent engineered stone made for interior high-traffic countertop applications. In this post we’ll summarize the do’s and don’ts of quartz care and maintenance.
What to Do
Routine Cleaning
General cleaning couldn’t be easier: simply use a soft cloth and warm water, and voila. Although quartz is resilient and very resistant against permanent staining it’s not stain-proof—no countertop is—so it’s important to wipe up any spills.
While some spills may be harmless, some may contain harsh agents. The best rule of thumb is to clean any spill in a timely manner.
Dried-On Spills
For stubborn dried spills use a soft cloth and gentle common kitchen liquid cleaner such as,
Dawn Ultra Antibacterial Dishwashing Liquid
Green Works Dish Soap
Ivory Dish Soap (All Scents)
Palmolive Ultra Concentrate Dish Soap
Use Trivets & Hot Pads
Quartz is scorch resistant under normal conditions but it’s not indestructible. Like all types of stone countertops, it can be damaged by sudden changes in temperate like exposure to extreme heat, as well as direct sustained heat. Always use trivets or hot pads under hot pans and heat-generating items like griddles and roasters.
Use Cutting Boards
Cutting on your countertop raises the potential for scratching and it will dull your knives. Play it safe and use a cutting board or cutting mat.
What Not to Do
Cork Your Chemical Cleaners
Never use abrasive cleaning agents, scrubbing pads, strong alkaline or acidic cleaners on your quartz countertops. Never expose the countertop to harsh cleaning agents and caustic chemicals like bleach, drain cleaners, paint strippers, silver cleaners, or oven cleaners. Natural doesn’t necessarily mean gentler; some natural cleaning agents may also contain naturally harsh chemicals. All these agents can have the effect of dulling your countertops finish, etching, and discolouring the surface.
No Need For Sealers
Never try to apply sealers or topical treatments to your quartz countertop. These treatments cannot penetrate the dense quartz and will eventually wear off unevenly over higher use areas causing the finish of your countertop to look inconsistent.
Keep Your Feet & Seat Off
Never stand or sit on your countertop. Though quartz is an extremely strong and dense material, it does not flex, and too much weight in one spot could cause a crack.
Follow these simple common sense guidelines and your quartz countertop will provide you with many years of beauty and trouble-free use.
Check out more guides from our series on Countertop Care & Maintenance.