How to Care for Quartz Countertops

Quartz is a versatile material made up of quartz, resin, and pigments. Quartz is a popular choice for kitchen countertops because it is harder than other materials and can take a lot of abuse. Although quartz is low-maintenance, there are things you should do on a regular basis to ensure it keeps its integrity.

Daily Maintenance

Quartz is a hardy material, but it still needs routine maintenance to keep in top shape. You should clean the quartz on a regular basis with a rag and mild detergent. You want to avoid anything that is too acidic or alkaline, as this can wear down the quartz. Warm water mixed with some soap is a good cleaning solution to use for regular maintenance.

Wipe Spills Immediately

You can make the cleaning process a lot easier if you wipe up spills as quickly as possible. You can always remove the stain later, but it will be faster and easier if you do it while it is still wet. After you get rid of the mess, rinse the surface with a moist rag and you should be good to go.

Remove Dried Crud

You can remove dried gunk from quartz by using a hard plastic scraper. Without adding any water, simply scrape up the gunk as much as you can. This method works great for spills that have dried up and for other types of buildup, like paint and gum. You can even keep a plastic scraper on hand in the kitchen for whenever you need to remove dried materials.

Clean Grease

It is best to use a degreaser for tougher stains on quartz. Just make sure the agent does not include bleach. You can get away with using a diluted bleach solution, but it is a risk. Glass cleaner will also go a long way in removing grease stains. After you have successfully removed the stain, rinse the area with warm water to get rid of any leftover chemicals.

Clean Tough Stains

You have several options when it comes to tougher stains, like permanent marker or ink. Start by using an adhesive cleaner, such as Goo Gone. Just remember to wipe the area clean with warm water after application. If the adhesive cleaner fails, you can use isopropyl rubbing alcohol. Again, clean the area with warm water to remove the chemical.

Protect the Quartz

There are different things you should do to protect quartz countertops from unwanted blemishes. For starters, protect the surface from extreme temperature swings. Always put down pot warmers or stands for hot pots and pans, and use coasters for coffee and cold drinks, especially if they contain alcohol or citrus. Quartz is fine in temperatures over 300 degrees Fahrenheit, but it does not handle abrupt temperature swings very well.

Don't Cut On Quartz

You should avoid cutting directly on the quartz surface. Use a cutting board instead as this will protect the surface from becoming chipped or damaged. Quartz can handle a lot of abuse, but it is possible to scratch it with a sharp knife or similar cutting tool.

Recommended Care

Although quartz can take a lot of abuse, you want to be careful whenever placing large or heavy objects on the counter. You should avoid dropping anything heavy on the surface as this can cause cracking and chips along the surface. Quartz is also not a good choice for an outdoor countertop. In fact, constant exposure to the elements can warp the surface of the quartz and lead to splitting.

Do Not Use Harsh Chemicals

Avoid using chemicals that contain acids or alkaline on quartz. These chemicals can damage the surface of the quartz and wear it down over time. If any of these cleaners are spilled on the countertop, wipe them away immediately and clean the area with soap and water. Common cleaners you should avoid include turpentine, nail polish remover, bleach, oven cleaner, drain chemicals, methylene chloride, dishwasher cleaners, and trichloroethane.