Your coffee pot, a bowl of soup, or mug of hot tea won't damage quartz surfaces. It's best practice to place a barrier of some kind between a slow cooker or pressure cooker and your quartz counter.
The low threshold makes quartz more likely to burn or break when in contact with heat. Therefore, you can put a hot mug of coffee on your countertop, but a searing hot pan or boiling pot of water could leave a burn mark. Over time, coffee mugs and teacups could leave burn marks as well.
Avoid using both alkaline and acidic cleaner because they will break down the bonds between quartz and resin and cause long-term damage to the surface. Harsh and acidic cleaning agents such as vinegar, lime, lemon are going to erode the sealant of the countertops' surface over time.
Unfortunately, the polyester resin in quartz can be easily damaged by heat from the toaster oven, electric frying pan, oven, crock pot, or any other appliance that produces a lot of heat. The heat weakens the polyester resins when you place the toaster unprotected on the countertops.
Placing Hot Appliances on Your Countertop. While quartz may be highly heat-resistant, prolonged exposure will damage the resin causing it to discolor. Temperatures above 300° F can spell bad news for your countertop. Besides, sudden extreme changes in temperature may lead to slab cracking.
Do NOT use crock pots or electric skillets while in direct contact with your Quartz surfaces. Always place them on a trivet or cutting board to protect your countertop. As with any natural stone, certain exposure to heat may cause cracks due to thermal shock.
Quartz Countertops
What this means is that a quartz countertop is a heat-resistant material that can handle high temperatures sometimes, but not for prolonged periods of time. Using an air fryer on a quartz counter now and again might not be a cause for concern, but prolonged use can cause damage.
Windex is considered a base and has a pretty high pH level, which means it could be damaging to quartz. Some cleaners say it's okay to use in small quantities, while others warn against it. For the safest and most sure option to keeping your quartz clean, skip Windex and opt for a mild cleaner like dish soap.
While it is unlikely that tea and coffee mugs will burn through your quartz countertop, you do not want to risk it. Using coasters will protect your countertops from any burn and will help maintain them over time.
Generally, quartz can withstand heat up to around 250 degrees Fahrenheit or 120 degrees Celsius. Placing a cup of tea or coffee directly onto a quartz surface shouldn't present a problem. However, we'd recommend exercising caution and using coasters and hot pads if you plan on placing hot items on your quartz surface.
Conclusion. Clorox wipes should never be used to clean your quartz countertops because the solution used in the wipes can potentially damage the surface. Instead, use warm water and mild soap, white vinegar and water or a quartz cleaner.
Water stains are by far the most common reasons that quartz countertop material might lose its luster. When water is left to set into the material, it will cause damage to the finish that seals the countertop.
If you have a quartz countertop, you should be able to use Dawn Dish Soap without any issues. However, if you notice any discoloration or staining, you might need to switch to another brand of dish soap.
Coffee and Tea The natural pigments that give tea and coffee their dark coloration can create surface stains on quartz surfaces. Similar to wine, you shouldn't leave coffee and tea spills to dry on quartz, but you also don't have to panic each time there's a spill.
For basic spills, you can use a soft dish cloth and warm soapy water to sweep up the spills. If you spill any coffee, fruit juices, tea, or wine on your countertop and it sits for a while, leaving a stain, then try mixing baking soda and warm water together. Lightly scrub the surface with the paste and a soft cloth.
But like other countertop materials, stain resistant quartz countertops are not completely indestructible. A white countertop can be spectacular. But even a white quartz countertop is vulnerable to staining from products such as red wine, tea, coffee, tomato sauce, and more if it's not cleaned up right away.
Abrasive cleaners and scrubbers such as Comet or Scotch-Brite are not recommended, as they can scratch the smooth surface of quartz. The best way to care for your quartz is to prevent damage before it occurs. Use trivets or potholders under hot pots and pans to avoid heat discoloration.
Quartz Countertop Cleaners to Avoid
Most household cleaners you would usually use to do a quick clean with such as Windex, vinegar and Lysol wipes (some of which contain bleach) are not a good idea for quartz countertops.
Don't put heat directly on counters: Yes, quartz is heat resistant and won't melt or burn if you put a warm pot or plate on it. However, it is stone, and sudden extreme changes in temperature can create thermal expansion and crack it.
While quartz is one of the most durable stones, you must avoid using acidic or harsh cleaners. Don't clean your counters with vinegar, ammonia, bleach, or acid-based products.
Quartz countertops are combined with acid-sensitive resins during their manufacturing, meaning they are vulnerable to chemical damage. This causes acidic products such as vinegar, lemon juice, or acidic cleaners to eat through the resins, "etching" the surface. As a result, quartz requires pH-neutral cleaners.
A solution of mild dish soap and water is the perfect quartz countertop cleaner for daily care and maintenance. Either cold or warm water works well. However, be sure to use a soft cloth as opposed to brushes with tough brittles. This solution can be used to wipe the countertops as often as needed.
General Quartz Surface Precautions
Hot pans, pots, or small electrical appliances should not be used directly on top of your surface as this can cause scorching, dull areas, and cracks. Do not use crock pots, electric skillets, or griddles directly on your surface.
Understand Your Weather
Because quartz countertops are non-porous, they can withstand liquid (e.g. spills, rain, snow, etc.) without becoming stained or discolored. This makes them an ideal option for homeowners who live in an area that is wet to moist.