Have you recently purchased quartz countertops? Or maybe you are considering installing quartz in your current or future home. If you are looking for a fairly low-maintenance countertop with some excellent qualities, then quartz could be a great choice for you.
Unfortunately, one thing quartz doesn’t have is the ability to clean itself. If only! The good news? Keeping quartz countertops clean is quite easy!
This article explains how to clean quartz countertops.
But first, if you are still on the fence about choosing quartz versus another type of countertop, let’s explore some pros and cons.
Pros of quartz countertops
Quartz countertops have risen in popularity over the last 20 years. Manufacturing techniques have advanced significantly. You can find quartz countertops that come in a variety of colors, patterns, and finishes. You can also get quartz countertops that are very similar appearance to natural stones like marble and granite.
Because they are manufactured, quartz countertops can also feature colors not naturally found in nature. That, combined with the other benefits of quartz countertops make them a very popular choice among homeowners.
An excellent feature of quartz countertops is that they are very durable. They won’t crack, chip, or scratch as easily as natural stones like granite or marble. They hold up well against knives and other sharp objects used in the kitchen.
Quartz countertops are also non-porous. This means they don’t stain as easily as granite, marble, or concrete. Having a non-porous countertop also means you don’t have to worry as much about bacteria or viruses being harbored by your countertop. Of course, you still need to clean them regularly to prevent bacteria and germs from sitting on the surface.
You also don’t have to seal your quartz countertops like you would with other types of countertops. This is one less yearly thing to try to remember to do!
Cons of quartz countertops
As fabulous as quartz is, it also has a few cons.
Quartz is a lot pricier than other types of countertops, like laminate or other solid surface countertops. If you have a pretty small countertop budget, quartz might be out of your price range.
However, with a little more wiggle room in your budget, you can spend a little more on your countertops. If you are looking into high-end materials like marble or granite, the price of quartz should be competitive with those. Of course, it’s always a good idea to shop around as prices and selection can greatly vary between stores.
The seams on quartz countertops can be noticeable, but if you have a skilled installer, they should be able to minimize how much you will notice the seams. Ask for referrals or read reviews of companies that will be installing your countertops.
Generally speaking, installing countertops is not a DIY project. These stones are very heavy and need to be installed correctly to avoid damaging your cabinets and for safety purposes!
The other downside to quartz is that it isn’t as heat resistant as other types of stones, so you will have to be careful with hot items like pots or pans or curling irons.
So now that you have your beautiful new quartz countertops, how do you keep them in great shape? Fortunately, the qualities mentioned above makes quartz a pretty low maintenance counter-top option.
Basic cleaning:
For daily cleaning of your quartz countertop, use a small amount of dish soap and a microfiber cloth. You can either run a sink full of water and add soap or just get the microfiber cloth wet and add a little soap to it. A little goes a long way. If you add too much, you run the risk of it leaving a soapy film on top of your countertops.
For basic daily cleaning it really is as simple as that. As long as you clean up spills within a reasonable timeframe, most anything you would spill on quartz can easily be cleaned with just plain water or a little dish soap.
If you have a tougher stain (think red wine) or one that has been sitting awhile, you might need to apply a stronger cleaner. Always read the label on your cleaner before applying it, as some have really harsh chemicals that can damage countertops.
I would recommend buying something specifically made for quartz to be safe. I have listed an example below, but if you search for cleaners on amazon or shop at a large box store, you should be able to find a wide variety to choose from.
This is a gentle, pH neutral formula that won’t dull or damage your quartz. It helps protect the resins that are found in quartz countertops from fading or yellowing from exposure to sunlight. This product is great for removal of grease, stains, and water marks. Simply spray directly onto surface and then wipe with a clean, soft cloth.
Polishing:
Occasionally, your countertops might get little scuff marks, or some dullness. To keep your quartz countertops looking their best, you will occasionally want to polish them. Here is one product to try. (Again, there are many out there!)
Barkeepers Friend
This cleaner is great to use on quartz because it is non-abrasive. It won’t take away any of the original polish. Simply apply a little bit of product to your countertop and rub it around with a dry paper towel or soft sponge. Use a circular motion to buff out any markings on the surface of the countertop.
Once you have thoroughly cleaned the countertop, use a wet paper towel to wipe off the remaining product. Then use a dry paper towel to dry off your countertop.
