How to Care for Quartz Countertops: Easy Tips & Tricks for Homeowners to Follow
Engineered quartz countertops have quickly become a popular countertop option for homeowners and professionals alike because of the many desirable qualities this material possesses. Not only is it considered an eco-friendly countertop surface, but it offers affordable pricing and delivers incredible function for the home. It’s durable, non-porous, and resistant to etching, staining, and more.
Of course, you still have to clean and maintain your countertop surfaces if you want them to remain beautiful for years to come.
When you have bright, white quartz countertops like the Caesarstone featured in this Connecticut kitchen renovation, you want to make sure it remains spotless.
While darker colors or grays like in this Westchester County, NY home may be more forgiving, they still need to be cleaned and sanitized regularly for the health of your family.
The good news is, quartz is incredibly easy to clean and requires minimal maintenance compared to other natural stone options. Here are a few easy tips and tricks to keep your quartz countertops gleaming.
Regular Cleaning
Whether you have quartz countertops in your kitchen, bathrooms, or other areas of the home, regular cleaning is a must to maintain a healthy environment and keep your countertop surfaces looking brand-new. The main difference between quartz and other types of stone when it comes to maintenance is that quartz is a non-porous material, thanks to the resins and polymers that bind it together.
This makes it a lot easier to clean. Since you don’t have to worry about food, bacteria, mold, or other substances penetrating the surface, all you need is a damp sponge or cleaning cloth to wipe up spills and give your countertop a regular once-over. You can also use a mild cleanser like dish soap – just make sure to rinse it thoroughly afterward to avoid dulling the surface.
How often should you clean? While most people use their kitchens on a daily basis and mop up crumbs and spills as they go, Caesarstone recommends cleaning your quartz countertops at least weekly, even if they’re in areas that don’t get a lot of use. At the very least, you don’t want dust to build up and obscure the surface.
Removing Grease
Grease splatter is a common occurrence in most kitchens, and it can cause your countertops to look dull and feel sticky. Your go-to solution might be an abrasive cleanser that cuts through grease, but this is a mistake when dealing with quartz. While quartz doesn’t employ the same surface sealants used on natural stone, it can still be damaged or dulled by abrasive cleansers, scouring pads, and so on.
Some manufacturers recommend a household cleaner like Windex or Formula 409 that will break down the grease so you can wipe it away with a sponge or a non-scratch pad. For stubborn, stuck-on grease, you may want to turn to something a bit stronger, like Barkeepers’ Friend, that is approved by manufacturers like MS International.
Treating Dried Spills and Stains
Ideally, you’ll wipe up spills as soon as they happen, making clean-up quick and easy. Although in reality, you may be so busy juggling dinner duties and answering homework questions that cleaning has to wait. If you find yourself dealing with dried spills and stains after the fact, don’t fret – there are ways to return your quartz countertops to like-new condition, even if you have gleaming, white quartz surfaces like this New York transitional kitchen.
Whether you’re dealing with crusty spaghetti sauce, sticky red wine, or even permanent marker, you can take steps to remove it and restore your pristine countertop surface. Difficult food spills and stains can be treated with a non-abrasive cleanser like Soft Scrub Liquid Gel, while tougher stains like permanent marker can be treated with a product like Goo Gone, which, by the way, is also ideal for removing residue from stickers, school glue, and other surprises your kids might leave on countertops.
Deep Cleaning
If you have expansive kitchen surfaces like this contemporary NY kitchen featuring QuartzMaster engineered quartz countertops, they may require a deep cleaning every now and again to remove the buildup of dust, grease, and even leftover soaps if you don’t thoroughly rinse after cleaning.
If you want to revive the sheen of your quartz, there are a couple of options to explore. A good option is a cleaning product specifically formulated for use on quartz, but you could also try a multi-purpose furniture spray, or leave a non-abrasive cleanser soaking on the surface for a few minutes before wiping it away so it has time to break up surface staining and stuck-on gunk. Be sure to rinse thoroughly with water to achieve the maximum effect.
Also, make sure to avoid harsh cleaners like bleach or abrasives that could damage or stain the surface. You’ll want to look for pH balanced cleaning products, ideally in the pH 5-8 range, to avoid potential damage and keep your quartz countertops shining like new.
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