Use a non-abrasive sponge or soft cloth for a thoroughly clean surface without scratching your counters. Wipe away. Thoroughly wipe down the counter with a damp sponge, non-abrasive cloth or paper towel to ensure a residue-free surface.
Using a clean towel and freshwater, wipe down the countertop and finish by drying with a paper towel or a dry towel. Glass cleaner can also be used in some cases, however not all manufacturers advocate it. To ensure that glass cleaner is a safe cleaning method, check with the quartz manufacturer.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Disinfecting wipes are not suitable for quartz countertops as their primary ingredient, citric acid, is not diluted. If you use these wipes on your countertop surface it will weaken the seal and cause discoloration to occur. Therefore, avoid using them when cleaning quartz counters.
Magic eraser may also be used to fight tough quartz stains, simply wet the magic eraser and apply in gentle, circular motion. Clean the area thoroughly with water and dry with a clean towel after. For tough to fight grease residue, you may use degreasing cleaners.
Don't. Many people use Windex® or similar cleaners to help shine their countertops, while this is okay for most quartz, you should avoid cleaners with bleach or ammonia. Windex®, for example, comes in an ammonia-free version. The real key to caring for quartz is to be gentle.
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.
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.
While quartz is scratch-resistant, materials harder than quartz can scratch it. For example, the bottom of some ceramic dishes may be abrasive enough to inflict minor damage to the surface.
Just like other natural stone countertops, quartz can chip or scratch if it encounters extreme use and pressure. However, if scratches or chips appear, you can have them professionally filled in and repaired. Overall, quartz countertops stand up to much wear and tear in the kitchen with little evidence.
Wipe dry with microfiber towel.
The final step is to wipe the countertops dry with a clean microfiber cloth or soft towel. Microfiber cloth are excellent because they're super absorbent and will leave your quartz countertops with a streak-free shine.
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.
Bar Keepers Friend Granite & Stone Cleaner & Polish is specially formulated for use on smooth, polished stone – including granite, marble, and quartz. Its pH-balanced formula won't scratch or mar stone finishes, and it's gentle enough to use every day.
For most effective cleaning, fill a small spray bottle with gentle soap and water. You may also use a vinegar-based spray or make your own mild concoction. Then spray it over the countertop and wipe from side to side in full motions.
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.
Warm Water + Dish Soap
This is the preferred method of cleaning most messes on quartz countertops. Combine a small amount of mild dish soap with warm water into a bowl or bucket. Using a microfiber cloth or soft rag, use the soapy water solution to wash off as much of the mineral deposit as possible.
The acidic property of vinegar makes it ideal for breaking down all types of stains. When preparing the mixture, use this easy formula: equal parts water and vinegar. Allow the solution to sit on the stained surface before wiping with a cloth. For stubborn stains, leave the solution to soak overnight.
Isopropyl alcohol (also known as rubbing alcohol) is a safe and effective cleaning option for quartz counters.
How do you take care of quartz countertops? Quartz countertop care is remarkably simple. Just wipe the surface with water and mild soap or vinegar regularly. If you need to do more stringent cleaning (say, to remove stains), you can use Soft Scrub's gel cleaner, which contains bleach.
Create a simple disinfectant using 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol and two cups water in a spray bottle. You may wish to add 1-2 drops of essential oils to add a nice smell to the mixture. Spray the countertops down, making sure to cover the entire surface. Allow the cleaning solution to sit for 2-3 minutes.
And because the engineered stone often gets grouped together with the mentioned natural stone options, it's easy for someone to assume that a quartz countertop requires the same maintenance. Unlike real stone, quartz never needs to be sealed.