The Best Way To Maintain Quartz Countertops

A quartz countertop, whether in the kitchen or bathroom, is an investment that is as beautiful as it is practical. It resists damage during transport and installation, and homeowners will find the material similarly easy to care for and long-lasting — up to 15 years — as long as they follow guidance intended specifically for quartz.

Quartz is nonporous so you don’t need to periodically reseal it the way you might with countertops made from other materials such as granite.

How to Clean Your Quartz Countertops
For routine cleaning, you want to wipe down your countertops with a soft cloth and mild detergent such as dish soap. For greasy messes, use a degreaser that’s labeled as safe for quartz and wipe with a soft cloth. You can also use a soft non-abrasive sponge.

Because quartz can stain, it’s important to wipe away spills as soon as possible. Start at one end of your counter and work in sections until you’ve cleaned the entire counter.

To maintain the surface of your countertops, you can use a plastic scraper or plastic putty knife to remove anything dried-on dirt or gunk from your quartz counters. Products such as Goo Be Gone can remove sticky messes without damaging the surface as well. Some people recommend a razor blade to remove gunk. Because quartz is exceptionally hard, it resists scratching.

What To Avoid With Quartz Countertops
Quartz can be damaged, disintegrate, or even discolor when you use the wrong cleaners. You don’t want to use any cleaners containing bleach on your quartz counters. Furthermore, acidic or abrasive cleansers are bad for quartz. This includes baking soda as well as scouring pads and glass cleaners. Combining abrasives with pressure can damage your counter no matter how resilient it is.

In place of bleach or even disinfecting wipes, you can use a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution for its antimicrobial properties when cleaning your counter. alternatively, you can disinfect your counter with a solution made from 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol and 2 cups water. Many people like to clean with vinegar. We recommend other options before using vinegar, but you can use a vinegar solution diluted with water if it’s your cleaner of choice. Spray either solution and let sit a few minutes before wiping your countertops clean with water and a soft cloth.

Finally, make sure to use a trivet when placing hot dishes on the counter. Although quartz will resist scorch marks, these items can break or even shatter due to thermal shock when moving from a hot surface such as inside the oven to a colder one such as the countertop.

Making sure to clean up messes immediately, avoid using destructive cleaners, and wiping your countertops every day ensures the quartz remains gleaming for years to come.