I happened to have a very informative conversation with a quartz countertop installer recently.
He gave me some awesome insights on the best way to care for quartz countertops so they last you a lifetime. In this article, I’m going to share with you everything he told me.
To start, quartz countertops are one of the most durable surfaces you can buy for your kitchen, bathroom, or any other room in your house.
They’re made from a man-made material that is a combination of natural quartz and other materials like resins and pigments.
Quartz is one of the hardest minerals on earth, so when it’s combined with these other materials, you get a surface that is incredibly strong and durable. This means that quartz countertops do not need a lot of babying for their upkeep.
However, there are still a few things you need to do in order to keep your quartz countertops looking their best. Here are some of the best ways for taking care of your quartz countertops.
1. Installation
The process of ensuring your quartz countertops last begins with the way they are installed.
If you’re having quartz countertops installed in your home, make sure to hire a professional who has experience installing them.
You must ensure the installer adheres to high standards when installing your countertops.
This will help to avoid any future issues that could potentially damage your quartz countertops.
You would want your installer to do the preparation and clean-up work thoroughly. Inspect the area where the countertop will be installed to make sure there are no nails or other objects that could scratch the quartz.
Make sure the mounting brackets are properly aligned and that the area is level before the quartz countertop is set in place.
After the quartz countertop is installed, check to make sure there are no seams that are visible.
If there are any seams, they should be filled with clear silicone caulk. The installer should also apply a bead of silicone caulk around the perimeter of the countertop.
This will help to create a seal that will prevent water and other liquids from seeping underneath the quartz countertop and causing damage.
Once your quartz countertops are installed, it is important you inspect the surface so that any stains like adhesive, sealant, or paint that may have gotten on the surface during installation can be removed immediately. If you wait too long to remove these stains, they may become permanent.
2. Day-To-Day Care Routine For Quartz Countertops
The best way to care for your quartz countertops on a day-to-day basis is to keep them clean.
If you already had your quartz countertops installed or just got them fitted, taking care of them on a daily basis is very important so as to maintain their beauty and extend their lifespan.
For Heavy Use Quartz Countertops
If your quartz countertop is located in an area of high traffic or gets a lot of use, you’ll want to take extra care to keep it clean.
For example, we have an open kitchen plan so our quartz island countertop sees a lot of use. From cooking on them, eating on them, drinks, computers, toys, you name it.
It’s important to take proper care of them on a daily basis to ensure they stay in good condition. Here’s a daily routine you can adopt if you have quartz countertops that see a lot of use.
- Use Damp Cloth To Wipe It Multiple Times Of The Day
The first step is to use a damp cloth to wipe down the surface of your quartz countertops multiple times throughout the day.
This will help to remove any dirt, dust, or spills that may have occurred since the last time you wiped them down.
- Wipe Them Down With Mild Dish Soap
If there are any tough spots or stains, you can use a mild soap and water solution to remove them. Be sure to rinse the surface well afterward so that no soap residue is left behind.
- Use A Glass cleaner To Shine Them Up
Once you’ve wiped them down and removed any tough spots, you can use a glass cleaner to shine them up. This will help to give them a streak-free finish and make them look like new again.
For Quartz Countertops That See Less Use
If your quartz countertop is located in an area of the house that doesn’t see as much traffic, you can get away with cleaning it less often.
For example, we have a quartz countertop in our laundry room that doesn’t get used as much as our kitchen countertop.
As a result, we don’t have to wipe it down as often. Once a week is usually sufficient. Here’s a routine for you if you have a quartz countertop that sees less use.
- Wipe Them Down With Warm Water
After every few days, whether you use your quartz countertops or not, take a warm, damp cloth and give your quartz countertop a wipe down.
This will help to remove any dirt, dust, or debris that may have accumulated on the surface. If you live in a particularly dusty area, you may need to do this more often.
- Use a Glass Cleaner on Them Every Couple of Weeks
In addition to wiping them down with warm water, you should also use a glass cleaner on them every couple of weeks.
This will help to keep them looking shiny and new. Be sure to use a glass cleaner that is safe for quartz. Many all-purpose cleaners are not.
I recommend using a glass cleaner that is also safe for quartz countertops. You can find these at most home improvement stores.
3. Treating Tough Stains And Discolorations
Every now and then, you may get a tough stain or discoloration on your quartz countertop. The way you would treat these tough stains and discolorations will depend on the type of stain and discoloration you have.
For Grease Stains On Quartz Countertops
If you have a grease stain, you’ll want to treat it as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the harder it will be to remove.
To remove a grease stain from your quartz countertop, you’ll need a degreaser and a soft scrubbing pad. Apply the degreaser to the stain and scrub it with the scrubbing pad.
Once the stain is gone, be sure to rinse the area well with warm water.
For Coffee Stains
If you have a coffee stain, you’ll want to treat it as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the harder it will be to remove.
To remove a coffee stain from your quartz countertop, you’ll need mild dish soap or cleaner and a microfiber cloth.
Apply the cleaner to the stain and wipe it with the microfiber cloth. Once the stain is gone, be sure to rinse the area well with warm water.
For Water Stains On Quartz Countertops
If you have a water stain, you’ll want to treat it as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the harder it will be to remove.
To remove a water stain, you’ll need to first, wipe the area with a clean, soft cloth. If the stain is still visible, mix a mild, nonabrasive cleaner with water and apply it to the area with a soft cloth.
You should see the stain start to fade. If it doesn’t, you can try a stronger cleaner, but be sure to test it on an inconspicuous area first.
For Ink Stains On Quartz Countertops
If you have an ink stain on your quartz countertop, you can try using a cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol.
Gently rub the ink stain with the cotton ball until it disappears. If the ink stain is still visible, you can try using a small amount of toothpaste on a soft cloth.
Rub the toothpaste into the stain and then rinse with warm water.
For Blood Stains On Quartz Countertops
Blood stains from fish, meat, or poultry can be difficult to remove. The best way to remove a blood stain from your quartz countertop is to mix a small amount of hydrogen peroxide with water and apply it to the stain.
Let it sit for a few minutes and then rinse with warm water. If the blood stain is still visible, you can try using a small amount of dish soap on a soft cloth. Rub the dish soap into the stain and then rinse with warm water.
For Mud Stains On Quartz Countertops
How on earth do you get mud stains on a countertop? While it seems unlikely, I have seen many things in my life. Best bet, children, and pets are usually the culprits.
To remove a mud stain from your quartz countertop, you’ll need to first, wipe the area with a clean water-damp soft cloth.
This will help to loosen the dried mud. If the stain is still visible, you can try using a small amount of dish soap on a soft cloth. Rub the dish soap into the stain and then rinse with warm water.
For Rust Stains On Quartz Countertops
If you have a rust stain on your quartz countertop, you’ll need to mix a paste made up of baking soda and lemon juice or distilled white vinegar. Apply the paste to the rust stain and let it sit for a few minutes to about an hour.
Then, use a putty knife to scrape the rust stain off. If the rust stain is still visible, you can try using a magic eraser to remove it.
You can check out an earlier article I wrote which detailed 7 ways to remove rust stains from quartz countertops.
For Paint Stains On Quartz Countertops
If you have a paint stain on your quartz countertop, you’ll need to scrape off as much of the paint as you can with a putty knife.
Once you’ve removed as much of the paint as possible, you can try using a small amount of dish soap on a soft cloth.
Rub the dish soap into the stain and then rinse with warm water. If the paint stain is still visible, you can try using a small amount of rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball. Gently rub the stain with the cotton ball until the paint comes off.
For Candle Wax On Quartz Countertops
If you’re a fan of the soothing aromas of scented candles then wax drips are probably something you’re familiar with.
While it may seem like a pain to remove candle wax from your quartz countertop, it’s actually quite easy.
All you need to do is place a brown paper bag over the wax and then run a hot iron over it. The heat from the iron will cause the wax to melt and stick to the paper bag.
Once the wax is gone, you can clean the area with a small amount of dish soap on a soft cloth.
Check out 6 simple ways to remove candle wax from your quartz countertop.
4. Protecting And Preventing Quartz Countertops From Damage
As part of your quartz countertops care routine it is important to protect them from scratches, heat damage, and stains. There are a few tips on how to protect your quartz countertops from a few different types of damage.
Protecting Your Quartz Countertops From Scratches
One of the best ways to protect your quartz countertop from scratches is by using a cutting board.
When you’re cutting or chopping your fruits, vegetables, and other ingredients, use a cutting board instead of your quartz countertop.
From time to time, you can buff your quartz countertop surfaces using a polishing powder or countertop polishes to help reduce the appearance of scratches.
Protecting Your Quartz Countertops From Heat Damage
You can protect your quartz countertop from heat damage by using a trivet or hot pad whenever you’re placing a hot pot, pan, or dish on the surface. Avoid placing anything that’s hot directly on your quartz countertop.
A no-brainer right? Well, a lot of people fall for marketing tactics that over-sell the heat resistance of quartz countertops and as a result, they place hot items directly on the surface which can cause damage.
Protecting Your Quartz Countertops From Stains
One of the best ways to protect your quartz countertop from stains is by using a sealant. This is one of the most debatable topics in the quartz countertop industry.
While some people swear by using a sealant, others say that it’s not necessary because quartz is a non-porous material.
I recommend using a sealant if you’re worried about stains. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
The good news is a lot of quartz manufacturers seal the countertops before they ship them out so you may not even need to apply a sealant.
All you need to do is to figure out if your quartz countertop is sealed and this article gives you all the detail about how to tell if a quartz countertop is sealed.
A quality sealer will create an invisible barrier on your quartz countertop that will help to repel water, oil, and other liquids.
Re-sealing your quartz countertop every few months will help to keep it looking like new for years to come.
If this is something you would want to consider, you can check out this article that talks about all of the pros and cons of applying a sealer on your quartz countertops.
Protecting Your Quartz Countertops From Chemicals
While quartz is a tough material, it’s not impervious to damage. You should avoid using harsh chemicals and cleaners on your quartz countertop.
A lot of the time, you can clean your quartz countertop with just a mild soap and water solution. If you’re dealing with a tougher stain, you can use a non-abrasive cleaner.
Final Words
That’s it! Those are all the tips you need to know about how to take care of quartz countertops.
By following the simple tips in this article, you can keep your quartz countertop looking like new for years to come. D
o you have any other tips on how to take care of quartz countertops? If so, share them with us in the comments below! Thanks for reading!
As always, if you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us. We’re always happy to help! Have a great day!
