Did you know that quartz is one of the toughest materials on earth? For this reason alone it’s easy to understand why it’s such a popular countertop surface.
But despite the fact that quartz is extremely durable, it still requires a little TLC here and there- but nothing too fancy!
Here’s a quick breakdown on how to care for quartz countertops to keep them in tip-top condition…
What is Quartz?
So, what exactly is quartz and what makes it such a hardy surface for your household?
The quartz countertop material used in most homes today is derived from quartz mineral, which is essentially a blend of silicon and oxygen. This makes forms silicon dioxide, which helps to preserve the quality of your countertops.
Quartz itself is one of the most abundant naturally-occurring materials on earth, while its unique properties make it extremely useful.
Quartz can found in metamorphic, sedimentary, and igneous rock and has the ability to form and mold into any shape at all temperatures.
Along with this, it’s highly resistant to chemical, mechanical, and natural weathering over time. Because of this, you’ll find quartz at the summit of most mountains, on beaches, in rivers, and even in desert sand.
Naturally, quartz occurs in a range of colors, including gray, purple, brown, pink, green, red, clear, and white.
Quartz For Your Home
Engineered quartz is used in homes today in the form of kitchen and bathroom countertops. Some of this engineered quartz is comprised of a blend of resin and ground quartz or naturally quarried slabs.
Other than its hardiness, quartz is a dynamic material and available in a range of colors and textures to suit all home aesthetics.
Quartz is actually far more popular over granite as an in-home material due to the fact that it’s far more flexible to work with. This means that quartz can be used for more than just countertops. It can be used as a backsplash material, in showers, around baths, and more.
Despite its simplicity to install, quartz should always be handled by a professional who fully understands the nature of the material.
8 Handy Tips on How to Care For Quartz Countertops
Here are some of the most simple, yet effective ways to care for your quartz countertops to ensure they truly last a lifetime:
1. Don’t Throw Out the Warranty Certificate
Okay, so quartz countertops are usually manufactured and installed with a long warranty period, but that’s doesn’t mean the material is indestructible!
It’s important to remember that while quartz is hardy, it’s still an amalgam and it can crack or break in very rare circumstances. Your warranty certificate will stipulate specific maintenance requirements and who to call in this instance.
2. Avoid Household Cleaning Products
Your quartz countertops are actually so low maintenance that you really don’t need to use harsh household cleaning products in order to clean them.
In fact, some of these products contain chemicals which can loosen and damage the resin, bonds, and mineral pieces within your countertop material. If you want to be extra careful, opt for a stone-safe quartz cleaner and polish.
3. Avoid Harsh Scrubbing
If you want to dull the natural sheen of your quartz countertops, harsh materials such as scourers and steel wool will damage the top finish. Stay away from store-bought scrubbing materials and opt for a soft nylon brush to remove stains and gunk from the surface.
4. Never Use Sharp Materials While Cleaning
This is a big no-no when it comes to maintaining the quality of quartz material. It’s perfectly safe to rest knives on the countertops, but avoid using them to remove dried stains or materials.
Instead, go for a soft plastic knife or scraper to lift off hardened materials from your countertops.
5. There’s No Need to Seal Your Countertops
The great thing about quartz is that it’s a non-porous material which does not require any sealing, unlike other stone materials such as granite. The polished factory finish on your quartz countertops is enough to ensure the material will last decades if cleaned frequently, in the correct manner.
6. Keep Cleaning Simple
Seriously, the cleaning of quartz countertops does not need to be overcomplicated. All you need is a soft washcloth, some warm soapy water and you’re good to go.
It’s best to avoid common dish detergents that contain astringents or other harsh chemicals. Alternatively, go for a specific quartz cleaning cleaner and polish.
Bear in mind that warm water is always far more effective in removing stubborn stains that cold water.
7. Use a Vinegar Solution For a Deep Clean
Over time food particles and mineral deposits form a film over the surface of your countertops. And it’s this film which makes stains all-the-more difficult to remove. Sometimes wiping down your countertops with water just smears this film around, rather than removing it.
This is where a simple vinegar solution comes in handy to remove this film of dirt for a deeper clean. Combine equal parts of vinegar and water into a spray bottle. Mist your countertops, leave for a few seconds, then wipe down with a soft kitchen sponge and warm water.
Mix in a few drops of lemon juice or essential oil to eliminate the unpleasant smell of vinegar, if you prefer!
8. Use Specialty Products for Tough Stain
If you ever need to remove particularly stubborn stains, such as glue, ink, or chewing gum, an oil-based solution should do the trick.
A good product for tough stains is Goo Gone, which should be applied lightly to the stain, left for a few minutes, then rubbed out with a soft cloth.
Alternatively, ordinary rubbing alcohol is just as effective in loosening stubborn substances.
Looking For Professional Countertop Installation?
At International Granite & Stone we offer expert installation of quartz countertops, as well as a full catalog of countertops to choose from.
If you’re looking for a little more advice on how to care for quartz countertops, we offer that too!
Can’t decide between quartz and granite countertops? This blog should help.
