They can if they are not properly taken care of. Quartz has been proven to be stain-resistant; however, it is not a stain-proof material. In fact,
Quartz countertops can stain if they are exposed to alkaline cleaners, high pH detergents, certain acids, nail polish, wax, makeup, and even some foods.
Granite and Quartz can both be damaged by exposure to high temperatures since some of the elements contained within each one is susceptible to being damaged by intense heat. Granite is porous while quartz is not, so granite can suffer from spills and stains while quartz is more stain resistant.
First line of defense against stains is becoming vigilant. That means wiping spills from the quartz countertop immediately. Don't expose the countertop to high temperatures from hot pans. Avoid harsh cleaners that may react with the resins used for binding.
Using mild detergent: Small, and easy stains
Mixing a mild detergent (like shampoos, or dish soap) with warm water is the most effective, easy option for cleaning quartz countertops since harsher detergents can damage the surface.
This is primarily because it is more resistant to stains, but this does not mean that it's impossible to stain. Just like every other countertop, quartz is vulnerable to stains, including water stains.
Some might notice stains on their white quartz countertop as a result of using the wrong cleaning products. Anything with harsh chemicals, including oil soaps, detergents, paint thinners, and any cleanser containing bleach, could stain or discolor your countertop instead of getting it sparkling clean.
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.
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.
Other than perhaps stainless steel, no countertop is 100% stain proof. Quartz is the most stain resistant material because it is engineered with ground-up natural stone and resin. This creates a non-porous material that is highly stain resistant. Quartz is also easy to maintain as no sealer is required.
Quartz can be more expensive than other countertops but is generally cheaper than natural stone and other luxury options. It does require professional installation and can discolor when exposed to high temperatures and extensive heat for long periods.
Quartz is Easier to Maintain than Granite
This countertop achieves a high level of durability without any sealant. As opposed to Granite, which requires re-sealing each year to maintain a less superior guard against the common hot pan, spilled wine, and dirty hands. An easy to clean countertop is the new kitchen dream.
Taking the time to care for your granite will help maintain the natural beauty of your countertops. Quartz, on the other hand, is much easier to clean and maintain. Because quartz is a manufactured product, it is non-porous and more resistant to staining. Quartz is also well known for being GERM-FREE.
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.
Scheduled Maintenance
Unlike natural stone, quartz does not need sealing or waxing to protect it from stains and mildew, even on a white quartz countertop.
You Can't Set Hot Pans on Them
Although quartz countertops are extremely durable and considered heat-resistant, putting a hot pan right on the surface can damage the material. As with most other countertops, you'll need to use a trivet or stove mitt to protect it, as heat can cause discoloration and/or cracking.
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.
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.
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.
The safest daily cleaner for your quartz is dish soap. But you can use any mild PH-neutral cleaner without issue. To keep your counters in good condition, put potholders down before placing hot pans on the counter, clean the counters daily, and address spills as fast as possible.
Vinegar is very acidic and can cause the quartz to discolour or disintegrate.
Dealing with stubborn stains
Bar Keepers Friend is perfect for any Caesarstone quartz countertop. Using an abrasive quartz countertop cleaner and polish will only dull the surface shine. To avoid stubborn stains, it is recommended for you to clean the quartz countertop immediately after liquids spill on the countertop.
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. In such cases, the staining liquid is not absorbed by the quartz countertop surface.
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. Outside of that, you don't need to do much else.
Overexposure to sunlight can turn your white quartz yellow, especially if the sunlight is hitting your worktops every day for long periods of time. Sunlight can be one of the most common causes of your white quartz turning yellow and is one of the easiest to prevent.