The easiest way to clean your countertops without purchasing anything! Most of the products needed will already be used in your home.
In this article, I will show you how to clean quartz countertops without purchasing a single product.
I will recommend products that can help you get better results however purchasing anything is unnecessary if you have a few things needed laying around your home.
As a countertop professional, I am literally asked this question on a daily basis. So much so that I created a manual on cleaning countertops in digital format that you can download here on this page.
Cleaning your quartz countertops is very easy and requires very little effort. Yes, there are suggested products that help clean your quartz countertops even better but I will start with the easy way first.
Updating your kitchen countertops is an investment in your home and you want to protect that investment by keeping them clean and educating yourself on the care and maintenance of your countertop material.
A stain is an eyesore and no one wants to have company over and be asked over and over what that brown ring on your countertop is. Let's educate you and prevent that from happening...shall we?
Lucky for you, quartz countertops are easy to keep clean and relatively maintenance-free.
Let's begin cleaning your countertops:
Step 1: Grab a wet hand towel drop about 5 drops of mile dish soap on the towel. It is important to use a dish soap that is not abrasive. Just regular dish soap is needed. Chemicals such as bleach or peroxide could etch the finish giving you a dull spot on your countertop.
Step 2: Rub two ends of the towel together getting the soap to spread on the area of the towel that will meet the quartz countertops you are cleaning.
Step 3: Wipe the countertops with your wet soapy towel. Be sure to cover the entire area of your quartz countertop.
Step 4: After you have completely covered the area, scrubbing in areas with oil or food (a little elbow grease) dry off your quartz countertop with a dry hand towel. It never hurts to get a second dry towel to go over it again to ensure there are no water streaks.
Cleaning your quartz countertop is like cleaning a window. There will be streaks unless you clean them properly as outlined above.
Be sure that you dry the surface completely. If you find watermarks you can grab a paper towel and rub until removed.
It is important to note if you have excess grease in the cooking areas of your quartz countertops you may need to repeat steps 1 through 4 again or purchase a degreaser safe for your countertop material. I recommend this product.
If you purchase a cleaning product for this job, be sure that you choose a product safe for the material you have and it is wise to spend the extra dollar or two for the higher quality brands.
We have already taken the guesswork out for you on our care and maintenance page. We only recommend safe products.
Cleaning your Cambria Quartz countertops is just like cleaning any other quartz countertop brand. Check out our quartz care section on the Quartz Care and Maintenance page of our website for other cleaners you can purchase to disinfect your quartz countertops while cleaning.
It is recommended that you clean your quartz countertops daily. This will ensure that no stains ever remain on your countertops.
Some white color materials and lesser quality quartz materials will stain much easier however, it is not as easy to stain quartz, like it is with natural stone, especially marble countertops.
Coffee spills left on a white Cambria Quartz can discolor the quartz surface, and it is recommended that you remove any spills on your quartz surfaces as quickly as possible to have peace of mind and to be proactive regardless of the material you choose for your countertops.
Removing metal transfer marks from pans or scuffs from other objects can be a bit tough to do without the proper experience. It is recommended to call an expert in your area for this to be done professionally. As a countertop expert, I am going to give you the knowledge that I have to help you do-it-yourselfers out there.
What you will need:
What you will do:
When you are completing step 2 be sure not to rub too hard. You want to rub just enough to get the job done and no more. This method could cause some etching so you want to lightly rub this abrasive with just the right amount of force to remove the marks.
Pro Tip: Sometimes Goof Off or denatured alcohol will do the trick alone. You may not need the abrasive but if you do, head over to your local granite shop and ask for a little wet granite dust. Most granite shops know this little trick and I can assure you that you will not get weird looks. Just let them know that CountertopAdvisor.com sent you and share the website where you learned to clean your quartz countertops. We appreciate ya!
What other care and maintenance questions do you have? Feel free to comment below with your questions. I will give my advice to every comment on this blog post.
Quartz countertops are arguably the most durable kitchen material options. The vibrant natural color pattern, durability, and ease of upkeep all add to its demand. As a plus, you do not need any harsh chemical cleaners to clean, maintain your counter. In this article, we will tell you 11 simple steps for cleaning quartz countertops.
It is easy to keep a quartz countertop sparkling and looking brand new. To keep it in the best possible shape, you need to prevent any damage that may occur to the counter due to negligence. That can be done in three simple steps:
Basic etiquette is to clean your mess as you make it. Do not wait for that soft drink spill to dry on the counter. Leaving spills unattended for a long time can result in stains, even though quartz is stain-resistant.
A mixture of soap in warm water can deal with most stains. Mix mild dishwashing soap in warm water and dip a washcloth in it. Rub it over the stained area in a circular motion. This mixture can clean any stain that has dried out recently.
Using warm water is crucial as it helps get rid of even stubborn stains without the need for excessive scrubbing.
Do not let the soap mixture rest on the surface of the countertop for too long. Adequately wipe it off with a paper towel. Leaving the soap mixture on your quartz surface can wear down the counter, taking away its shine. It is also essential to use a mild soap when you’re cleaning the counter. Detergents with harsh chemicals can ruin your quartz countertop.
Even after wiping away the soap with a paper towel, remnants of the soap may remain on the counter. To ensure that no soap residue is left, rinse the counter with fresh water. You can do this by dipping a clean cloth in fresh water and wiping the counter with it once or twice.
Quartz is nonporous, which means it is resistant to all food stains. No matter what you spill or chop, it’s likely that any liquid spilled will not be absorbed by your quartz countertop. However, cleaning your mess as you make it is a good habit. It saves you a lot of time, effort, and energy that you may spend immersed in deep cleaning later on.
We understand that on some days, you may not feel like wiping up that candle wax or spilled wine. It’s okay; you can let them those stains be and come back to them later. However, you may have to employ some deep cleaning tactics now.
Dried off, unpleasant, sticky stains do not always come off with warm water and soap. You may need to scrape these off. Use a plastic scraper to release them from the counter. Do not ever use a metal scraper as it can scratch your counter. The best way to clean quartz countertops is with a flexible plastic scraper.
For messes that are harder to scrape off, cover them with a paper towel dipped in warm water first. The heat from the water will release the stains, and you can then easily either scrape them off or wipe them away with a little elbow grease.
To get rid of stubborn residue, you can use a vinegar solution. Combine water and vinegar in equal portions in a spray bottle. Spritz the mixture on the entire counter and wipe down with a soft sponge.
The vinegar mixture acts as a natural cleaner and can remove hard water mineral deposits as well as all sorts of food and beverage stains.
The smell of vinegar can be overpowering to some. If you’re one of those people, adding a few drops of lemon or fragrant essential oil of your choice can solve that problem. With this mixture, you will have a natural, pleasant smelling cleaner for your quartz countertop, making its maintenance a piece of cake.
You can also substitute vinegar with hydrogen peroxide. And that’s not all; as an alternative, you can even apply a mixture of baking soda and water over the stain. Let it sit overnight and then rinse with warm water. Baking soda is safe to use on quartz, and you can repeat the process if necessary.
If nothing helps remove that stain, then you can try cleaning the counter with an oil-based surface cleaner. You can even use ordinary rubbing alcohol for stubborn stains that won’t budge.
Apply the remover on the stains and let the remover sit there for a few minutes. Then, wipe it away with a slightly damp cloth or soft sponge. Even if nothing works, a chemical cleaner or rubbing alcohol is guaranteed to get rid of that spatter.
If you want your quartz countertop to stay in its best condition, you need to employ some preventative measures. Follow these steps to ensure that the counter remains sparkling for as long as possible.
To maintain that glossy look, occasionally wipe your quartz countertops with a glass cleaner. The resin sealant in quartz countertops can become a little murky over time. To stop that from making your counter look aged and dull, use a glass cleaner.
Everyday household products such as Windex, Clorox, or regular glass cleaners can be safely used on quartz. When you’re done using the glass cleaner, make sure to wipe the surface with a wet paper towel or cloth. Doing so wipes away what remains of the cleaner, ensuring a glossy finish for your counter. Do not use a sponge, as it can leave fiber remains on the surface.
Quartz is very durable and scratch, stain, and heat-resistant. However, this does not mean that you can use your counter as a cutting board. Regularly chopping fruits and vegetables can scratch the surface, and fixing it with a light buffing with sandpaper is not an option.
Even when cleaning, before you use any chemical cleaners, try warm water and vinegar. Try scraping off dried gunk with a flexible scraper before you use a chemical cleaner. If you have to use one, then opt for mild glass cleaners or oil-based cleaners.
Using an oil-based cleaner has two benefits:
Quartz is not meant to withstand excessive amounts of heat. The material is heat resistant, not heatproof. Do not place hot pots and pans directly on the counter. If the temperature exceeds 300 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, it may cause severe cracking. Excessive exposure to heat can also lead to the discoloration of the countertop.
Quartz countertops do not do well when exposed to appliances that generate a lot of heat. Make sure you place trivets under your toasters and or your hot pots and pans before you place them on your countertop.
Check out this article on the best trivets for countertops to learn more about trivets and how they will help keep your quartz countertop looking new.
Cover your windows with a translucent curtain to block off excessive sunlight in your kitchen. The UV rays of the sun can dull the shine of quartz counters, making them unsuitable for outdoor activities and fittings. A discolored counter does not add much resale value to the house either and will cost you a lot to get it changed.
If you do decide to opt for a quartz counter for your outdoor kitchen, then make sure you cover it with a protective screen. It is advised that you keep the counter under a covered patio or install an awning or an overhang to protect it.
To keep your surface looking brand new, you must make sure that the following substances never come in contact with your quartz countertop.
Any cleaner that contains bleach or has a high pH is an absolute no-no. Bleach is abrasive and will wear away your quartz counter immediately. Brief contact with a diluted bleach solution won’t harm your counter. However, wipe it away immediately with warm water. Wipe the surface with clean paper towels and rinse the surface a couple of times to ensure that there are no remnants of bleach on the countertop.
Any solution that contains trichloroethane or methylene chloride is to be strictly kept away from quartz. Do not use your kitchen counter as your DIY workshop table. Paint remover, nail polish removers, and furniture strippers are all to be kept away.
Chemicals and cleaners to avoid include:
Cooking grease keeps on piling up. It may seem like nothing at first, but if you let it be, it can cause significant damage to the counter. Food particles, dirt, and grime all get stuck to the surface because of grease.
Oil bottles placed on counters can leave rim marks on them. You will need to clean your counter with chemical solutions every few days extensively if you keep exposing them to grime and grease. Such regular use of chemical cleaners will cause undue wear on the surface.
Most household cleaners are not approved for use on quartz countertops. They have high pH levels and can destroy the counter very quickly. Manufacturers do not cover damages caused by using cleaners in the warranty, so be extra careful.
If you accidentally end up marking your surface with any such agent, then wipe it away with warm water immediately. Use a glass cleaner or a vinegar solution, but do not let it sit on the surface for very long. The longer it stays, the harder it is to get off and can become an eyesore on an otherwise pristine countertop.
Quartz is nonporous and does not require any sealant. Therefore, the surface does not need to be polished. Doing so is only going to ruin it and cause it to be degenerate quicker. Waxes and polishes contain harsh chemicals that should not be used on quartz countertops at all costs.
Dropping heavy items like big pots and pans on your quartz counter can result in chipping. Even when transporting your counter, take extreme care that you do not put on too much pressure, or otherwise, the counter will chip. Once cracked or chipped, there is no way to fix it other than replacing the entire counter.
To keep your quartz countertop looking aesthetically pleasing and fresh, after cleaning, you should buff it out using a quartz cleaner.
You only need to do this once or twice a month, depending upon the amount of abuse the counter has undergone. Including this step in your cleaning process will ensure you have a clean, sparkling quartz countertop for a very long time.
We suggest you use natural remedies before you move on to chemical cleaners. A wide range of options can confound you, and you may end up buying a harmful product. To avoid any mishaps, you can opt for cleaners specially formulated for quartz.
If for some reason, you cannot get your hand on any of the products mentioned above, you can also use one of the following:
These are only a few examples of degreasers and cleaners that are suitable for quartz countertops. There are multiple options available in the market. Make sure you check for harmful chemicals and additives in the product before you decide to use it.
Quartz countertops are also known as engineered stone countertops. They are created by binding together quartz crystals with resin binders. These countertops look strikingly similar to natural stone but are better in every way.
Pros:
Cons
Quartz countertops come in a multitude of color options. Their uniform coloration makes them an ideal choice for any kitchen.
You can choose from shades of gray, brown, white, and black. No matter what the existing color theme of your kitchen is, you can find a quartz countertop to go with it. Most of the colors added to quartz are taken from natural stone shades, but you can even have more shades added to it if you desire.
Once engineered, these countertops are incredibly durable. Wipe the surface with a wet cloth, and it will be good as new. If you want a nonporous option that requires zero upkeep, then quartz is the choice for you.
Quartz countertops are pricier than Formica kitchen countertops. It falls in the same budget bracket as marble and granite, so quartz is not for you if you are looking for kitchen countertops on a budget. These countertops will last you a long time, provided you take care of them.
The best way to care for quartz is to prevent damage before it occurs. The steps may seem tedious, but they go a long way to ensuring that your countertop looks as new as the day it was made.
Cleaning quartz countertops is easy. By simply following these simple 11 steps, you can keep your quartz counter looking like new for years. Hopefully, in this article, you learned how to clean quartz countertops effectively and without any additional expenses. Our how to clean quartz countertops article was created to be as informative as possible. If you have any questions please do leave us a comment or contact us on our contact page.
