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How to Care for Quartz Countertops: Protect the Shine

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Learn how to care for quartz countertops so you countertops will remain beautiful.

Quartz is a beautiful stone that’s made when quartz-rich sandstone is exposed to high heat and pressure. It’s a stone that’s often used in kitchens and comes in a wide variety of patterns and colors. If you have a quartz countertop then you know that maintenance is the key to maintaining the beautiful appearance and elegance of your stone.

Here’s the best way to clean quartz countertops so your countertops will stay as beautiful as the day they were installed.

Key Takeaways

  • Clean glass shower doors with a mixture of 1 part warm vinegar and 1 part grease-cutting dish soap, letting it sit for 30 minutes before rinsing and drying.
  • Squeegee the doors daily and use a microfiber cloth to remove excess water, promoting good air circulation and preventing mold growth.
  • Deep clean your shower doors monthly, applying a water repellent spray such as Rain X to prevent hard water stains.
  • Remove hard water stains and soap scum using products like vinegar, baking soda, lemon, dryer sheets, Dawn dish soap, Magic Eraser, Bar Keepers Friend, Windex, or pool descaler.


How Often Should You Clean Quartz?

The best way to clean quartz countertops is to create a regular maintenance routine.

Daily: Cleaning quartz countertops daily with warm water and a mild soap such as dish soap will help to prevent dirt from building up, especially if you have a busy kitchen. It also gets rid of any spots and stains before they pile up and harden.

Weekly: You will also need to care for your quartz countertop by deep cleaning it weekly.

Spray the surface of your countertop with a generous amount of a quartz cleaner such as Weiman Quartz Countertop Cleaner and Polish or your favorite nonabrasive surface cleaner. Wait 10 minutes and then wipe your countertop with a damp sponge or soft cloth. Use a microfiber cloth to dry your stone countertop.

What Not to Use on Quartz

Do not use anything on your quartz countertop that includes bleach or acetone. Also, avoid oil-based soaps and abrasive cleaners. These products may discolor or scratch the surface of your stone countertops.

How to Clean Quartz Countertops

Before cleaning your quartz countertop, you will need to clear all knick-knacks from your countertop. Also, remove all crumbs with a soft and dry cloth especially if your quartz countertop is in the kitchen.

With Dishwashing Detergent

Dishwashing detergent or dish soap is the best cleaner for quartz countertops. You should use it daily.

Combine 1 teaspoon of mild dish soap with 1 cup of water in the sink or a small bowl. Put a sponge or microfiber cloth in the water and wring it well before using it.

Wipe your counters with a sponge or cloth. If you discover bits of food particles stuck to your white quartz countertop, let some soapy water sit on the particles for 5 minutes. This will help to soften the particles so you can easily remove them.

Dry your countertop with a soft cloth to help it shine.

With a Putty Knife

A putty knife can be used to scrape away any pieces of grime stuck to your countertop. Be careful not to press too hard or you may scratch your countertop. This is a great way to remove dried messes such as gum, food, nail polish, and paint.

With Degreaser

Deep frying food leaves cooking grease all over your countertop. For this use a kitchen degreaser such as Easy Off Kitchen Degreaser. It will help to loosen and remove the grease from your countertop.

Usually, you simply spray the degreaser on the grease, let it sit for a minute, and then wipe it away with a damp sponge before drying your countertop. However, make sure to always follow the instructions on your specific container of kitchen degreaser.

With Vinegar

Make a DIY quartz cleaner using 1 part white vinegar to 1 part water. Put the mixture into a spray bottle. Then you can mist your quartz countertop with the vinegar solution. Wipe it away with a damp sponge or cloth before drying your counters.

With Quartz Cleaner

Use a quartz cleaner such as Weiman Quartz Countertop Cleaner and Polish to clean your countertops regularly. All you need to do is spray the countertop with the quartz cleaner and then wipe it away with a damp sponge. Finish by drying your countertop with a dry cloth.

How to Remove Stains From Quartz Countertops

Here are some excellent stain removal products you can use to get rid of stubborn stains on your quartz countertops.

With Glass Cleaner

Use your favorite glass cleaner to soak the stain for 10 minutes. Wipe the cleaner away with a damp cloth. If the stain is still there, you can repeat as necessary until the stain has been removed.

Dry your countertop with a dry cloth when finished.

With Baking Soda

Mix baking soda and water to make a thick paste. Use a soft cloth to apply the paste to the stain liberally. Wait for the paste to dry.

Once the paste has dried, wipe away the paste and the stain should disappear with the paste. Wipe your countertop clean with soapy water and then dry with a soft, dry cloth.

With Goo Gone

Nothing is worse than discovering that an art project has left ink or permanent marker stain on your quartz countertop. You can use Goo Gone to remove the stain.

Simply rub the Goo Gone into the stain. Then, rinse it with warm water to remove any cleanser residue.

With Rubbing Alcohol

Remove stains by mixing 1 part rubbing alcohol with 3 parts dish soap. Gently scrub the stain with this mixture. When you’ve finished scrubbing, rinse the stain thoroughly with a damp cloth.

Then dry your countertop with a soft cloth.

With Bar Keepers Friend

Sprinkle Bar Keepers Friend over the stain on your quartz countertop and then scrub it lightly with a damp sponge. When you’ve finished scrubbing, rinse the area with a damp cloth. Dry your countertop with a soft cloth when finished.

With Acetone

While you can use acetone to clean your quartz countertop, it’s not recommended. Acetone may etch or discolor the quartz. That being said, acetone can be used to remove ink and gummy items stuck on the countertop.

Use a small amount on the stain and quickly rinse it off before the acetone has time to etch or discolor the stone. Dry your countertop when finished.

How to Care For Quartz Countertops

Quartz is an easy stone countertop to care for, but there are some additional tips you should follow to maintain and care for the stone to prevent scratches and damage.

  • Clean spills immediately to prevent a stain from forming.
  • Never place hot pots and pans directly on the countertop as it will discolor the quartz. Instead, lay an oven mitt or trivet between the hot dishes and the countertop.
  • Make sure you always use a cutting board to prevent scratches and chips.
  • Acidic, abrasive, and harsh cleaners may discolor or scratch the surface of your countertop.
  • Keep the countertops dry as much as possible.

FAQs

Why Does My Quartz Countertop Look Cloudy?

The reason why your quartz countertop looks cloudy is because of heat damage. When you place hot pans on the quartz, the heat causes the quartz to permanently change color. Try cleaning your countertop with vinegar to remove the cloudy look.

Can You Use Magic Erasers On Quartz?

Yes, you can use Magic Erasers on quartz. Simply wet the Magic Eraser with water and rub it in a gentle circular motion on the stain. When you’ve finished working on the stain, rinse the area with water and dry it with a soft cloth.

Can You Use Clorox Wipes on Quartz Countertops?

No, it’s best if you don’t use Clorox Wipes or other disinfecting wipes on quartz countertops. These wipes contain citric acid as the main ingredient which will damage your countertops.

Should You Seal or Wax Quartz Countertops?

No, you don’t need to seal or wax your quartz countertops to protect the surface.

What Will Damage Quartz Countertops?

Several things will damage a quartz countertop, including heat, abrasive materials, direct sunlight, cracked seams, and delamination.


Best Way to Clean Quartz Countertops

The best way to clean quartz countertops is through daily maintenance. Wipe down your countertops with clean, soapy water to remove all the dirt, dust, and crumbs that may have landed on the stone during the day. This will prevent stains from forming and keep your quartz countertops looking beautiful for years.

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About the Author

Sara Dennis

Sara Dennis is a coffee-loving freelance writer, homeschool blogger, and mom of six kids. In her free time, Sara loves reading books and researching more efficient and effective ways to keep a clean house, homeschool her children, and blog better while making a home for her large family.