How to clean quartz countertops – a step-by-step guide
There is no doubt that quartz countertops are an excellent decoration for any kitchen. But do you know how to clean quartz countertops properly? No?
Let’s figure out the most effective ways of cleaning quartz countertops!
What is a quartz countertop?
Many people, when choosing the material for the kitchen countertop, give preference to quartz. It is impossible to disagree that the quartz countertop will decorate any kitchen and give it a presentable look. But how much do they know about quartz countertops?
Quartz is one of the hardest minerals in the world. It is a natural stone. This quality makes quartz surfaces durable and heat-resistant. It is not so difficult to care for these counters, because of the fact, quartz countertops contain resin, and they require low maintenance. In addition, the surface is stain-resistant, it won’t be covered with mold and bacteria. It is good value for money.
Despite all the listed advantages, you should know about the ways of cleaning quartz countertops. Because there are still some peculiarities. While quartz’s solid finish makes it easy to remove grime and dirt, harsh cleaners and abrasive cleaners can still damage the surface.
If you want to do routine cleaning, water and dish soap will be enough. But if you find out that your quartz countertop is filthy or there are some stains and spills, you will need other ingredients.
Step-by-step guide for cleaning quartz countertops
The list of required materials:
- Warm water
- Rubbing alcohol
- Damp sponge
- Spray bottle
- Soft cloth
- Mild dish soap
- Putty knife
The first step: Remove all excess from the countertops
You have to remove all the things on the quartz surface that can prevent you to do high-quality cleaning. It can be a vase with flowers, dishes, a blender, or a toaster.
The second step: wipe the surface
After you clear the quartz countertop, wipe it with a paper towel or to remove crumbs, and then with a damp cloth remove anything left.
The third step: scratch stubborn dirt
If you notice that there is still dirt on the table, that is not cleaned with a dry cloth, you may need a putty knife. You have to be careful while cleaning the quartz countertops with a plastic putty knife. Gently scrape the surface, to avoid scratches.
The fourth step: mix a cleaning solution
Mix warm water with a few drops of mild dish soap. Dip a wet cloth or damp sponge into soapy water, and thoroughly squeeze. And rub quartz countertop surface.
The fifth step: disinfect quartz counters
An extremely important step in deep cleaning is disinfection. It reduces the possibility of the development of harmful bacteria and maintains the results of the cleaning longer. Mix two cups of warm water and 1/4 cup of rubbing alcohol. Fill a spray bottle with this liquid and sprinkle a solution. Then wait for five minutes.
The sixth step: remove the liquid from the quartz countertops
To finish the cleaning, you need to get rid of the fluid on the countertop. You can use a dry microfiber cloth to dry up the remaining liquid.
The best ways of removing stains from the quartz countertops
Before you get down to work, you have to figure out what is the type of stain. It can be grease stains, ink, and paint stains, or water stains. Dealing with tough stains requires some extra materials. The list of them you can see below.
The list of required materials:
- Glass cleaner
- Isopropyl rubbing alcohol
- Mild soap
- Water
- Cleaning cloth
- Baking soda
- Toothpaste
How to remove grease stains
In fact, grease spills do not damage quartz countertops. But they can create a membrane that can damage the quartz surfaces later. To avoid this unpleasant effect and remove spills, you can use a blend of water and mild soap. Apply this mix on the kitchen countertop and wait for 5 minutes. And wipe away with a dry cloth.
How to remove ink and paint stains
Ink and paint stains are quite stubborn stains, but it is possible to remove them with household tools. You can apply toothpaste on the stained area and wait for 5-10 minutes. Then absorb the stain with a wet towel. Avoid using harsh cleaners because you can easily spoil quartz counters.
How to remove water stains
However, the fact that you should get rid of water spills sounds a little bit awkward, but here we go. Water contains calcium and lime. And these minerals can be harmful enough for quartz counters.
To get rid of the undesirable effect caused by these minerals, it is recommended to use baking soda. Blend soda with warm water to create a paste consistency. Rub the solution with a wet cloth and then dry up the area with a paper towel.
How to remove all types of spills
There are some general ways how to clean quartz countertops and remove stains.
Use glass cleaner. Occasionally, it is challenging to find a cleaner for quartz countertops, but glass cleaners are quite a popular product on the market. You can choose any that you like. For example, Windex will be suitable. But before applying it, read the instruction carefully, to be sure that the liquid is appropriate to clean quartz.
Another option is rubbing alcohol. Mix isopropyl rubbing alcohol with dish soap in proportion 1/3 and then rub the quartz countertop with a soft cloth.
How to take care of quartz countertops
We just figured out how to clean quartz countertops, but an equally important point is the cleanliness manual.
Here are some tips:
Clean spills immediately. Quartz is resistant, but to avoid permanent tough stains, you should clean up spills as soon as possible. Do it with a damp cloth and glass cleaner.
Select the cleaning products carefully. Avoid using acidic cleaners or highly alkaline cleaners to clean quartz (they contain harsh chemicals), they will not clean kitchen countertops but will destroy the quartz. Give preference to surface cleaner as well as glass cleaner or window cleaner, and oven cleaner, they are affordable and widespread. At least you can try to find a quartz cleaner.
Don’t use quartz countertops as cutting boards. Of course, quartz is a durable stone, but even quartz countertops can’t sustain the touch of sharp objects such as blades of the kitchen knives.
Even if you just want to cut cheese or fruit on the kitchen counter, it will cause scratches. And then the destruction of the finish. If you don’t want it to be scratched, use an ordinary cutting board.
Avoid exposure to extreme heat. Stone countertops are not adapted to high heat. So, you shouldn’t put hot items on the table (hot pans, hot pots). You can create a protective layer with the use of hot pads to protect quartz countertops from the destruction of the finish.
Make the cleaning everyday routine. In fact, this advice is a combination of all the previous items. Moreover, it is one of the most important. As you have already understood, quartz countertops do not require turbo and multi-stage care. To keep the countertop clean and make it look fresh, it needs a deep clean and nothing more.
Conclusion
In this article, we have considered all possible ways to care for quartz countertops. And we hope that we have covered all the questions concerning the subject, topping the agenda “how to clean countertops”.
If put in brief, be careful while using sharp items on the countertops, remove spills immediately, use a cutting board and avoid exposure to high heat.
FAQ
What should you not clean quartz countertops with?
Avoid using solutions that contain harsh chemicals, such as highly alkaline or acidic cleaners. Do not use vinegar or citric acid. Instead, use mild detergents like window or glass cleaner, some household items such as water-based solution (dish soap and warm water), isopropyl rubbing alcohol, and toothpaste.
Can I use Clorox wipes on quartz?
Honestly, Clorox wipes are not the appropriate way how to clean quartz countertops. The countertop can look clean, but in fact, these wipes can cause surface degradation. Instead of using this marketing sick, you clean the counter with a wet cloth and cleaning solution.
How do you keep quartz countertops clean and shiny?
It is advisable to make cleaning an everyday routine. Don’t leave the surface wet. Rub the surface with a wet towel and then dry up with a paper towel.
To make the quartz counters shine, you can apply a solution consisting of baking soda and warm water, or toothpaste. Leave it for 5 minutes. And then rub it with a cleaning cloth.
Can you use Windex on quartz?
Definitely yes, Windex is a glass cleaner but will suit the quartz counters. It is widespread, that is why you won’t have any trouble buying it. But there are two things you should take into account. Firstly, study the instruction carefully, to be sure that it is the tool that will suit you. Secondly, after the application of Windex, dry up the countertop. Want to know how to dry your wet carpet, read