The Ultimate Guide to Cleaning Quartz Countertops: 7 Best Cleaning and Caring Tips
Are you wondering about how to clean quartz countertops?
We’ve got you covered.
In this guide, you will find answers to all types of cleaning questions in your mind.
Quartz countertops have been making the headlines lately and for good reason. When it comes to countertops, quartz is a material that stands out.
It is the preferred material in kitchens, living rooms, and bathrooms. The popularity of quartz countertops for kitchen has resulted in a wide variety of options being available.
One of the main reasons why quartz has risen to the top is because of its perceived maintenance advantage. If you have quartz countertops in kitchen, this guide is just for you as it shares the top cleaning and caring tips that will help keep your quartz countertops kitchen in perfect condition.
You will be surprised to know just how easy it is to care for kitchens with quartz countertops.
Let’s get started.
1. Common House Spills
Quartz is an easy to clean material. To clean common household spills such as prints from supermarket bags, paint, permanent markers, ink, fruits, tea/coffee, mustard, red wine, herbs and spices, and food coloring, all you need is household bleach (for light colors), alcohol, and method daily granite.
· Quartz for countertops in kitchens can be washed by first cleaning the surface using alcohol or Method Daily Granite with a paper towel or cloth. In addition to this, you can also make use of household alcohol wipes as they are excellent for quartz countertops.
· If the stain persists, place the cloth on top of the area which requires cleaning and make sure to add enough of household bleach to the cloth to ensure that it saturates.
· Now, all you have to do is let it sit for about ten minutes before you lift the cloth.
· Continue the process if the stain remains underneath.
· Rinse the surface using a clean wet paper towel or cloth once no stain remains and the spill has absorbed completely.
· Keep in mind that the cleaning product might need to sit for around half an hour in case of permanent marker stains.
2. Oil Spills
Cleaning oil spills is imperative for ideal quartz countertops upkeep. An important quartz countertops care tip that you might want to know is dealing with oil spills and removing stains caused by machine oils, canola oil, or olive oil.
The cleaning products that you will need include a mild alcohol-based degreaser such as a Vim Oxy gel spray or Method Daily Granite. To get rid of the grease, you have to use a product that helps with stone care. There is no need to use a harsh cleaner.
· To get rid of oil spills, what you need to do first is spray a decent amount of cleaning product onto the surface of your quartz countertop. However, in some cases, spray and water also do the trick.
· Let the product sit for at least five minutes before you wipe the area clean with a paper towel or damp cloth. The material will continue to disintegrate with ease.
3. Cosmetic Stains
What stains quartz countertops the most?
Cosmetics are most likely to leave stains such as when you place make-up, medical creams, or hair shampoo on a quartz countertop. The only cleaning product that you need for cleaning cosmetics stains is alcohol or Method Daily Granite.
· To clean the stains, you need to apply a delicate amount of the cleaning product on a damp cloth and rub it directly against the surface.
· Next, wipe the cloth against the surface to clean the area.
· Let the material dissolve into the cloth to get the job done.
4. Stains Left by Metal
Generally, when you have quartz countertops, it is best to avoid using metal knives directly on the countertop or leaving metal utensils on the countertop. The metal can easily leave a mark on the quartz countertop.
For instance, if you want to chop vegetables, prepare food, or slice bread using sharp utensils, it is best to first place a cutting board on the countertop to prevent any scratches.
Even metal belt buckles and metal pots can leave a mark that will make you feel overwhelmed. The thing about metal stains is that they resemble scratches but are in fact just residue that is left from the metal that rubs against the surface.
Good news; these stains can be removed easily.
· To get rid of the marks, you will first need a cleaning product such as Method Daily Granite or a white latex eraser.
· Add Method Daily Granite on the stain and it will do the job.
· If you have a white latex eraser, you can use it on the metal marks as you normally would use an eraser to remove a pencil mark.
· Then, wipe the area clean with a damp cloth.
5. Metal Rust
Metal rust stains can leave your quartz countertop looking old. However, it is not that difficult to get rid of metal rust stains. You can use oxalic acid in powder form, or cream, to make the countertop look new.
· Apply the powdered cleaning product or cream to the rust.
· Now, if you use the powdered cleaning product, make sure to leave a paper towel or wet cloth on top of the area where you place the powder to keep it moist.
· Let it sit there for ten minutes.
· Then, simply wipe the area with a paper towel or wet cloth.
· Rinse the product from the surface and wipe it clean using a damp cloth.
6. Silicone Residue
The residue left by silicone is bound to make the quartz countertop appear messy. It can be frustrating having to deal with spillover caused by silicone caulk. Once you allow the spills to ruin the smooth surface of the quartz countertop, there is no turning back. The silicone caulk sweeps into the seams and edges of the countertop which are meant to hold it together. It causes unsightly globs or bumps along those pristine lines that convinced you to purchase the countertop in the first place.
· To eliminate silicone residue, you can either use alcohol or DAP Silicone Sealant Remover.
· The DAP Silicone Sealant Remover only needs to be applied to the area where the residue has accumulated.
· Let it sit there for five minutes.
· Then, wipe it clean with alcohol on paper towel or a damp cloth.
7. Other Stains
Finally, there are also other stains that can make a quartz countertop lose its charm. These include stains left by hard water deposits, soap, glue from adhesive tape, candle wax, and blood.
· To clean stains, you can use vinegar, alcohol, Method Daily Granite, or a mild alcohol-based degreaser.
· Most of the spills and dirt can be dealt with using Method Daily Granite. However, alcohol or an alcohol-based degreaser will need to be used for dried-on stains or tougher spills.
· Let the alcohol remain on the surface for a few minutes.
· Then, you can wipe it clean using a paper towel or damp cloth.
· As for the removal of hard water deposits, vinegar or any other household-scale remover can be used to treat the surface.
Protect Quartz Surfaces
Quartz is an extremely durable material. However, it does not mean that you shouldn’t clean it. To protect quartz surfaces, make sure you avoid heat damage. When quartz countertops come into direct contact with heat, they can get seriously damaged. This is why it is best to use heating pads or trivets when cooking to guard the surface of the countertop against direct exposure to the hot cookware. The same goes for coffee pots.
Warranty
When you purchase quartz countertops, make sure to learn more about the warranty. Even if you have already made the purchase, understand the warranty to get the most out of your investment. Aim to get countertops that offer warranty for repairs and replacement in case of defects or damages.
Quartz countertops are designed to keep you satisfied as they are easy to clean and not so difficult to care for. With low maintenance and proper care, they will last a long time. Once you have gone over this guide, you will have no trouble dealing with all types of situations.
Care for Quartz countertops is fairly easy. All you need is a mild detergent, a soft cloth, and some water. Make sure to thoroughly rinse and allow it to dry.
Avoid using harsh scouring pads and abrasive cleaners as they contain bleach which should never be used on quartz. Keep in mind that some quartz finishes tend to be more sensitive and require extra care such as matte and honed.
Now that you have all the information you need, it is time for action. Start taking care of your quartz kitchen countertops to increase its lifespan.
If you are interested in getting a quartz countertop for your kitchen, contact Pena Marble today to get a free custom quote.