Many people would love a new countertop for their kitchen or bathroom, but a few things worry them. For one, a countertop can be a big investment. Another common concern is that countertops can be hard to maintain.
There are many countertop materials to choose from, but one that stands out is quartz. A quartz countertop is neither purely man-made nor a natural stone slab. Fabricators describe it as an engineered stone countertop.
It is called that because, although it is made mostly of quartz, a natural mineral, the crushed quartz in quartz countertops is mixed with a binding resin and pigments. The result is a kitchen countertop that is both durable and easy to maintain.
Quartz has become one of the most popular countertop materials. Once you have a quartz countertop of your own, the important part of owning one begins: caring for it.
A quartz countertop is a lot easier to care for than natural stone countertops. If you are wondering how to clean quartz countertops and get the most out of your money, here is what you can do to protect the surface.
Preventing Stains
One of the best qualities of a quartz countertop is that it is a non-porous material, thanks to the resin that binds it together. That makes it resistant to stains, but not immune to them, so a little care still goes a long way.
In general, try to prevent spills on your quartz countertop, and when they happen, wipe them up and dry the surface as quickly as you can. Because the surface is non-porous, a liquid that is wiped away promptly usually leaves no stain.
That doesn’t mean you should leave things be when a spill looks harmless. Even plain water is best wiped up, because standing water can leave marks or mineral deposits as it dries.
Most importantly, don’t let colored liquids sit on your quartz countertop. This includes coffee, wine, soy sauce, cola, and other dark drinks. Left for long enough, they can leave a stain on the resin that is very hard to get rid of.
To deal with spills easily, keep a soft cloth near your quartz countertop at all times. It is a minor inconvenience that protects a major purchase.
Removing Tough Problems
Colored liquids and water are the least of your worries. Since this is a kitchen countertop, you can also expect tougher messes like grease, dried oil, and stuck-on food, which take more effort to remove.
To remove these, use a non-abrasive sponge, the kind sold as safe for non-stick pots and pans. Its surface has a little texture, but not enough to scratch your countertop. So besides the soft cloth, it is worth keeping a sponge at the ready.
When using the sponge, don’t rub too hard. Rub gently until the dried stain or grease lifts from the surface. It will come off more easily if you put a little hot water on the spot first to soften it. This is very effective for tougher dried-on messes.
Best Cleaning Agents for Quartz Countertops
When cleaning any stone countertop, engineered ones included, avoid acidic cleaners and harsh chemicals. That means avoiding vinegar solutions, lemon solutions, bleach, and strong detergents.
At first it may seem that these cleaners do no harm. Over time, however, they can discolor or dull a quartz countertop, and once that begins it is very difficult to bring the surface back to its former luster.
For everyday cleaning, use a mild dish soap mixed with water. After wiping the surface with this solution, wipe it down again with plain water to remove the soap residue, then dry it.
You can also buy multi-surface cleaners from your local hardware store. Avoid harsh formulas, and check the label to make sure the product is safe for quartz or engineered stone surfaces.
Regular wiping is recommended, but it is not a deep clean. Because kitchen countertops are used for food preparation, a more thorough clean from time to time is a good habit.
For a deep clean, apply a non-abrasive cleaner that is safe for quartz, let it sit on the surface for the time stated on the label, and then wipe and rinse. Clean the entire surface, not only the areas that look dirty.
What Not to Do
We’ve covered what you should do to clean and care for your countertop. Now for the things to avoid. For starters, avoid chopping or slicing directly on the countertop. Quartz is scratch-resistant, not scratch-proof, and knife marks can be permanent.
Use a cutting board or a butcher’s block instead. Very few countertop surfaces are meant for direct cutting, and engineered stone is not one of them.
It is also best to avoid putting hot pots and pans directly on your countertop. High heat can discolor the resin and, in some cases, crack the slab. Use a trivet or a hot pad to take the heat instead.
Last but not least, quartz countertops are generally not recommended for outdoor kitchens. Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight and the elements can fade or damage the surface. Quartz is at its best indoors.
As you can see, quartz countertops are easier to care for than many other countertops, such as marble, granite, and soapstone. A countertop is a significant purchase, and looking after it is the only way to get your money’s worth and make it last.