Although the polish on quartz countertops does not vanish, it can sometimes look less lustrous. The cause is tiny dust particles that land on the surface. But, again, it's a quick fix. Windex, or other window and mirror shining products, are excellent for polishing quartz countertops.
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.
Generally speaking, polished countertops are more readily available than honed surfaces, which also has been the case for quartz in the past. Earlier versions of quartz countertops mostly came with a glossy surface because of its overwhelming demand. This is because quartz always came with a natural sheen.
There are several factors that can result in a cloudy quartz countertop. Defects in manufacturing, prolonged exposure to sunlight, harsh cleaners, placing hot items directly on the surface, water and soap buildup, and food and drink stains are all things that can—unfortunately—make your countertop cloudy.
Put the crystal in a rock tumbler with polishing grit and run the tumbler for 2 weeks. Then, tumble the quartz with soap and water, followed by rock polish. Wipe down quartz countertops daily with a damp cloth. Use a commercial cleaner to tackle stains and use an antibacterial cleaner once a week.
If your quartz crystals are encrusted with calcite, barite, or lime carbonates, you can try cleaning them with ordinary household vinegar and washing ammonia. You'll want to soak them for 8-12 hours in full-strength vinegar. Wash the crystals well, and then soak them for the same amount of time in washing ammonia.
Another cause of staining, particularly with a white quartz countertop, is improper cleaning. It's true — sometimes, the chemicals intended to get the kitchen bacteria-free and sparkling clean can actually make it look dirty. Avoid using any chemical-containing solvents such as paint thinners, detergent, or oil soaps.
Although pre-polished quartz countertops do not need to be repolished, they do need to be cleaned regularly. Over the years, thin films of dust accumulate on the surface, making it lose its luster over time. Quartz countertops only require physical cleaning to keep them fresh and free from stains.
You can use a commercial polishing compound or make your own using baking soda and water. Apply your polish with a solid cloth using rub down your countertop using circular motions. Once you have applied the polish, start wiping away any excess with a clean cloth.
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.
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.
The reason is that 'one of the ingredients in magic erasers is actually finely ground quartz crystals and rubbing quartz on quartz you can and will scratch your countertop.
Simply get a quality soap film remover to get the shine back. High mineral content in your water (hard water) can also result in a dulling buildup on your countertops. Most soap film removers will do the job, but you can also find combination soap buildup/mineral deposit removers that can tackle both problems.
To make white quartz countertops white again, the best option is to clean it regularly with dish soap dissolved in warm water. If this doesn't work, use a quartz restorer, such as Weiman's Quartz Countertop Cleaner, then rinse thoroughly with warm clean water.
Quartz-Safe Cleaners Can Not Remove Hard Water Spots
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.
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.
Windex has a high pH level, making it potentially damaging to a manmade material such as quartz. Vinegar is very acidic and can cause the quartz to discolour or disintegrate.
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.
Use baking soda for stubborn stains
Even natural cleaners like vinegar or lemon can be too harsh to use on Quartz or Granite, as they are highly acidic, so they could damage the surface. If you do encounter a stubborn stain, consider using baking soda as a gentler alternative.
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.
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.
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.