Quartz is an extremely popular material because of the many benefits it has in terms of durability, low maintenance, and availability. But can you use acetone on quartz?
Do not use acetone directly on quartz stone because it can discolor the surface of the quartz. Using acetone on quartz will also etch and cause some dull spottings on the surface of your quartz. Simply use warm water and mild dish soap to clean spills immediately when they occur.
To learn more, keep reading this article!
1. Acetone Used On Quartz Can Discolor It
Quartz is a type of natural stone that is man-made or engineered to be a very durable type of stone. It is one of the most popular stones because it has many benefits and its availability in quarries around the world make it affordable.
Acetone use on quartz can discolor it, so you’ll want to avoid using acetone if possible on your quartz surfaces like your countertops or other pieces.
The reason why this happens is not yet fully understood but one of the common theories out there that I found through my research as to why this may happen is that:
Acetones will pull out oils and resins which causes an oil residue on the surface to form a discoloration on the quartz surface.
This could cause a light film over the top of an area where someone had spilled or applied the acetone onto the quartz material.
The first thing people need to understand about using acetone on quartz is that this type of material should never be cleaned with anything other than water or a solution made specifically for cleaning natural stones like marble or granite.
Using something else could result in discoloration which would make it look much different from what they originally intended when they purchased their piece.
So while an individual might think they are getting rid of dirt, stains, or gunk by using acetone on their quartz you might be actually damaging the beautiful look of the stone.
2. Acetone Can Also Etch The Surface Of Your Quartz Stone
Acetone is a very strong substance and can be able to etch the surface of your quartz stone. This is a very important thing to take note of as you would pay a significant amount of money for your piece and the last thing you would want to do to your quartz stone is to get it etched horribly reducing its value significantly.
As mentioned above, when you use something besides water on natural stones like marble and granite there is an increased chance of discoloration which would make them look much different than what they were intended to – even if you were trying to clean dirt off.
You should never try using acetone on quartz because it could damage the beautiful finish as well as etch and scratch the stone’s surface and leave residue behind.
Etching and scratching of your quartz stone source will usually occur after prolonged exposure of the acetone on the quartz surface. So you would want to clean off any spills of acetone on your quartz surface immediately to avoid damaging it.
The best thing to use on quartz cleaning is a commercial cleaner specifically designed for your type of stone, along with some water and elbow grease.
These cleaners are safe because they have been specially formulated for each surface that will come in contact with the acidic acetone and give you all the tools needed to clean without causing any damage or leaving residue behind.
3. Acetone Can Damage The Quartz Finish
Another reason why you do not want to use acetone on your quartz is that it can cause a reaction with the surface of your quartz which may result in damage to its finish.
This is due to the fact that some types of quartz, like granite and marble, have been treated or shine-coated with chemicals that are usually not compatible with acetone.
The finishes placed on these stones are there to help them resist corrosion and staining, as well as give the stone a beautiful sheen that they would not have naturally.
The use of acetone can result in dissolving this protective coating, leaving those surfaces vulnerable to wear and scratches from other things often used on the countertops like utensils.
This type of damage is irreversible and may not be covered by your quartz warranty which usually provides coverage for surface abrasions caused by normal household activities such as cooking with acidic foods.
You really want to avoid using these products if possible because there are safer alternatives available that won’t cause any long-term harm to your home’s most prized possession:
So if you need something even more powerful than water for cleaning up spills on your quartz stone make sure to use a commercial cleaner formulated specifically for natural stone or better still quartz countertops.
4. Acetone Can Cause Dulling On The Quartz Surface
Acetone can also cause dulling of the surface, so it is not recommended for use on quartz. This is one of the common and first things that will happen if you use acetone on quartz.
Acetone is not recommended for the cleaning of any natural stone, including quartz because it will eventually cause dulling and other damage to the surface that may be irreparable.
What’s more, using an inappropriate cleaner can also result in a slippery or greasy surface, which would make your countertops very dangerous to place food onto.
How To Safely Clean Quartz
The best way to clean quartz is by using a damp sponge with warm water and mild dish soap or rubbing alcohol.
If you notice streaks on your countertop that cannot be removed from the surface (which will happen if there are heavy stains), it might be time for deep cleaning.
Rubbing any oil-based furniture polish vigorously onto the affected area can remove these tough marks caused by various spills and messes.
Acetone is not recommended because of how it damages the overall appearance of natural stone surfaces – including quartz.
Quartz staining is not permanent but it is important to clean up stains as soon as they happen. If you don’t, then the stain will surely set in and be more difficult to remove.
But all in all, quartz stones are going to be more resistant against things like wine, fruit juices, or vinegar.
For stubborn stains, a glass or surface cleaner and a non-abrasive sponge are all you need. Plastic putty knives are helpful for removing gum, food residue, nail polish, paint, or other messes that harden as they dry.
If a dinner you had the previous night left your kitchen or dining quartz surface in disarray, then a degreasing product is the best choice.
Kitchen degreasers loosen and remove grease from quartz countertops following manufacturer instructions.
When choosing a cleaner for your kitchen counters, make sure to always check labels carefully before purchasing to ensure they’re safe for use on quartz countertops.
Here’s a video on how to safely clean your quartz surfaces
Tips On How Care For And Maintain Your Quartz Stone
- Always wipe up spills as soon as possible to prevent stains.
- Use a mild soap and warm water for cleaning
- Avoid soaps with ammonia, fragrances or bleach which can damage the surface of your quartz countertops.
- Always rinse thoroughly after washing away dirt from any area on your counters using water and dishwasher detergent; you should also use this method before polishing the stone’s natural shine back into place.
- Never put anything on quartz that will cause it to scratch or damage the surface.
- To prevent food from sticking, you should try using a light layer of oil and wiping any excess away after removing dishes.
- Cleaning with abrasive materials such as steel wool pads could also leave scratches in your quartz countertops; never use these products for cleaning purposes because they’ll make them look older faster than usual.
- Avoid leaving rings where cups are placed so you won’t have to deal with difficult stains later on down the line.
- Be sure not to put hot pots directly onto quartz counters without protection like trivets or placemats because this can lead to permanent staining which might be impossible to remove at all cost.
