That said, do not use your quartz as a cutting board. Sharp knives can scratch the surface. Reach for a cutting board and protect your quartz slab's smooth shine.
Quartz is ranked 7th on Mohs scale
This means that quartz is highly resistant to scratching, but it is not entirely scratch proof. In everyday use, knives and sharp objects will not scratch your countertops easily. Granite, on the other hand, offers hardness between 6 and 6.5 on the Mohs scale.
Hard stone countertops like granite and quartz can withstand knife work in the kitchen without scratching. However, if you cut acidic foods like citrus fruits, the acid can degrade the surface of the countertop, leaving a noticeable dull spot.
Quartz is scratch-resistant, but not scratch-proof. Remember that although your quartz countertops are incredibly durable, they are not cutting boards. Never cut directly on your countertops to avoid scratching the finish and making the stone more vulnerable to staining.
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.
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.
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.
Place a granite diamond blade on the saw and fit it properly. Make a little “back-cut,” about two inches long, from the end of the cutline. As you go from one side to the other, this will decrease the chance of granite chipping as you cut through to this location.
We mentioned that it is important that you use only gentle chemicals on your quartz countertops. Some of these include dish soap, Simple Green, Magic Eraser, denatured alcohol, Rug Doctor Cleaner, or Hope's Surface Cleaner.
Another common myth is that quartz can be easily damaged which deters homeowners from investing in quartz countertops. The reality is, quartz is not only durable, having a Mohs hardness rating of 7, but it is also relatively stain resistant making it ideal for high traffic rooms such as kitchens and bathrooms.
Indeed, you can! Quartz is an ideal countertop for those looking to bake often. Quality quartz, like a natural stone countertop, keeps a cool-to-the-touch feel that will allow you to work with butter in your dough without it beginning to melt. Another advantage is that it is non-porous.
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.
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.
You may need to scrub a bit harder on those sticky or caked on spots. For super stubborn areas, use a razor blade to remove it. Don't worry, you aren't going to scratch the surface. Simply make sure that the entire edge of the blade rests on the counter.
Take a wet rag with some isopropyl rubbing alcohol and rub the stain using the wet towel or cloth. Next, you are going to want to wipe the counter again using just warm water. This will help with any tough stains that would not come off with a simple water and soap mix.
Avoid Using Abrasive Pads or Cleaners
Yes, you want to clean your quartz and leave it in good condition. However, doing this with abrasive pads will only cause more harm than good. Like you can guess, the pads come with rough edges. In turn, scrubbing or applying it to your countertop surface can cause scratches.
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.
Everyday Cleaning – Just Use Water and a Paper Towel
For routine cleaning, simply wipe down your countertop with a damp cloth or paper towel and, if necessary, a small amount of non-bleach, non-abrasive cleanser.
Then wipe the surface down with a dry and soft cloth or a paper towel. This will leave you with a clean and shiny looking quartz counter.
Generally, quartz is less expensive than granite, but many factors influence the total price of a project. In this article, we'll look at the differences between natural granite stone and engineered quartz stone and the factors that affect pricing so you can determine which material is best for your design project.
The circular saw is one good example of this. If you're unsure or not confident in how to handle this tool, it's always best to seek professional help. The best way to cut quartz countertops is to use a circular saw with diamond tips.
Quartz is actually harder than granite and thus, more durable. In fact, quartz is nearly indestructible, and because it isn't porous like granite, it's easy to keep your countertops relatively bacteria-free. Be careful with cooking pans though: Quartz can be damaged by excessive heat, so use heating pads at all times.
Crockpots are not going to injure, stain or burn your quartz countertop. Most crockpots have legs or stands, and if you take the inner crockpot out and rest it on the table top, as long as it's not over 400-425 degrees, you are safe.
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.
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.