Elegant yet durable, quartz countertops rival the beauty of marble and granite. Able to resist stains with its non-porous design, quartz countertops should retain their good looks for years with proper care and maintenance. Are you wondering how to clean quartz countertops?
Denver homeowners often choose quartz countertops to install in their kitchens or bathrooms because of their unique characteristics. Quartz countertops are made from manufactured quartz; they typically feature about 90% ground quartz bound together using binding agents like resins and design elements such as pigments. They may feature a dazzling single shade like glossy white or reflect marbling that looks similar to other stone countertops.
Abrasives and alkaline cleaners are not recommended for cleaning quartz kitchen countertops. You can make a paste of baking soda and water, which is a mild abrasive. Unlike stone counters such as granite, engineered quartz does not require sealing. These counters are not made with solid quartzite (the solid mineral) but with ground quartz bound together with cement and resins to create a highly durable surface. Knowing how to clean quartz countertops in Denver will help you keep your kitchen or bathroom quartz countertop looking its best.
- How to Clean Quartz Countertops: Denver Routine Cleaning
- Removing Stubborn Stains from Quartz Countertops
- How to Clean Quartz Countertops: Denver Deep Cleaning
- Maintaining Your Kitchen and Bathroom Quartz Countertops
How to Clean Quartz Countertops: Denver Routine Cleaning
To clean your countertops daily, use a microfiber cloth or a non-abrasive sponge. Although quartz is one of the hardest minerals on earth, it can still be scratched–and a scratch can mar its good looks. Ideally, you can use some dish soap and warm water to clean up fresh spills. You can also use a gentle surface cleaner or glass cleaner to safely sponge your quartz countertops.
Engineered quartz countertops should resist permanent stains from many common materials like wine, soda, fruit juice, etc…but it’s essential to clean up spills quickly. It’s much easier to clean up the spills when they are fresh. However, if the spill has dried and is beginning to stain, you should use a surface clean and a non-abrasive sponge to rub the stain away. For materials like food or nail polish that have hardened on the quartz surface, you can use a putty knife to gently pry up materials, but take care not to dig into the countertop or you can scratch or damage its surface.
Removing Stubborn Stains from Quartz Countertops
Although quartz countertops are engineered to resist stains, a kid with a permanent marker may put that assumption to the test! Some people who have accidentally stained their quartz counters with permanent marker or ink have turned to Goo Gone to successfully remove the countertop stains. If you need to remove marker stains, add a bit of Goo Gone to the stain and clean it up with a damp soft cloth. Then, rinse away the residue thoroughly.
How to Clean Quartz Countertops: Denver Deep Cleaning
Routine cleaning should keep your counters looking great. However, periodic deep cleaning will ensure that you remove any sticky residues or soap buildup that routine cleaning may have missed. To deep clean your quartz countertops, remove all items from their surface and spray them with a gentle surface cleaner. Then, wipe clean with a non-abrasive microfiber cloth or sponge, instead of a paper towel. Once your countertops are dry, you can return all your items to their places.
Maintaining Your Kitchen and Bathroom Quartz Countertops
As you can tell, cleaning your quartz counters is a relatively easy process. You can use inexpensive cleaning supplies, and there’s no need to reseal engineered quartz. Nevertheless, quartz has other care requirements you should keep in mind. For instance, there are several “don’ts” that you must be mindful of in order to maintain and preserve your countertops.
Don’t Subject Quartz Countertops to Extreme Heat
Quartz countertops are durable, but extreme heat is their nemesis. Be sure you always have trivets or hot pads in easy reach. If you do set a hot pot down on your bare quartz counter, don’t let it sit; quickly grab a hot pad to place beneath it, or you will risk melting the resins and plastic material in the countertop’s binding agents. In fact, prolonged exposure to high heat can even cause the engineered quartz to crack.
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Do Not Use Your Engineered Quartz Countertop As a Cutting Board
Some countertops are designed for cutting and chopping. A butcher’s block countertop, for example, is made for this purpose. This is not the case with quartz, however. Always use a cutting board when cutting meat, herbs, fruits, or vegetables. Though durable, quartz cannot withstand knife cuts, which greatly detracts from its beauty by damaging the surface.
Do Not Use Harsh Cleaners on Quartz Countertops
Although you might be tempted to grab any cleaner to clean your counters when you’re in a hurry, do not use acid, alkaline cleaners, or highly acidic products on quartz, such as oven cleaners or lemons. Be sure you avoid any abrasive cleaners when maintaining your bathroom and kitchen quartz countertops. Sudsy dish soap water is ideal for cleaning your countertops. For deeper cleaning, you can use a glass cleaner or gentle surface cleaner, as discussed above. You can also purchase cleaners that are specifically designed for use with quartz. These may be more expensive products than dish soap, of course, but they are ideal for deep cleaning your quartz countertops.
Do Not Install Quartz Countertops Outdoors
Quartz isn’t fond of outdoor elements or extreme temperature changes. Direct sunlight can also cause quartz colors on counters to fade when they are installed outdoors. If you are building an outdoor kitchen, better choices are natural stone or tile.
Use these tips to clean and maintain your beautiful quartz countertops. If you’re considering installing new counters in your kitchen or bathroom, quartz is an excellent, low-maintenance option. It’s also highly prized among house hunters, so if you’re thinking of selling your house; it’s a great kitchen or bathroom upgrade. It’s celebrated for its beauty and strength as well as its versatility. Consult with Granite Direct if you have questions about quartz countertop installation.