How To Clean Quartz Counters

Engineered quartz countertops rival stone in their look and performance, but often require far less maintenance. There are some easy steps you can take to clean quartz counters. The are also a few things you need to avoid, like using abrasives or acid/alkaline cleaners like acetone, which can cause damage to your countertops.

Engineered quartz (not to be confused with quartzite) is produced by combining quartz with resins, binding agents, and pigments. Most quartz does not require any sealing in order to resist stains, and the resin binders make quartz countertops nonporous, meaning they are near impervious to mold, mildew, and bacteria.

Clean up fresh spills with dish soap and a soft cloth. You can use a non-abrasive sponge and glass cleaner or surface cleaner to remove stains. Use a plastic putty knife to gently scrape off spills that may have dried or hardened on your counter.

Never use abrasives and never use highly acidic or highly alkaline cleaners.

Abrasive cleansers and scouring pads can dull your quartz surface. If soapy water isn’t enough to remove your mess, use neutral to low PH cleaning products recommended by your countertop manufacturer, such as Mr. Clean, 409, Simple Green, Fantastic, Vim Actifizz, or Greased Lightning. Beware of harsh cleaning solutions such as nail polish remover, turpentine, drain cleaner, bleach, and acetone. Both highly acidic and highly alkaline chemicals can disintegrate the bonds between quartz and resin.

If any of these substances come into contact with your quartz countertop, immediately rinse the surface thoroughly with water.

Other things to avoid:

Extreme heat: Quartz is heat and scorch resistant, however ,the resin used in the production of quartz is plastic-based and can be prone to melting at temperatures above 300 degrees. Extreme temperature shifts from place a hot pan directly on a cool quartz counter can also lead to cracking. So, be sure to use your hot pads and trivets to protect your counters.
Using the counter as a cutting board: Quartz is hard, but not hard enough to withstand the effects of sharp knives. Always use a cutting board to avoid unsightly scuffs and scratches.
Direct sunlight: Quartz is not the right choice for an outdoor kitchen. Extended periods of direct sunlight will fade colors and can lead to warping or splitting.

Always check with the countertop manufacturer for any specific dos and don’ts when it comes to cleaning and maintenance. If you treat them right, your quartz countertops will last, and look good, for many years to come.