Bleach is a powerful chemical that has many uses. It can be used to whiten clothes, disinfect surfaces and remove stains. But what about quartz worktops? Can you use bleach on them? I am here to answer this question and give some tips for how you can clean your kitchen without using soap or detergent!
You can use diluted bleach to clean quartz countertops. To do this, mix one-part bleach with two parts water in a spray bottle. Spray the mixture onto your countertop and wipe it away with a soft cloth. Repeat this process until your quartz is clean and then rinse the area with water to remove any excess bleach.
To learn more about the positive and negative effects of using bleach on your countertops, keep reading this article.
Possible Downsides To Using Bleach On Quartz Countertops
Using bleach that is fully concentrated can damage the surface of your countertops. Below are some of the potential damages that your quartz countertops might face if you use fully concentrated bleach on them:
1. Bleach Can Cause Permanent Discoloration
If you use concentrated bleach on your quartz countertops, it can cause them to become discolored. The surface of the quartz might turn gray or yellow. This discoloration is permanent and cannot be removed.
The color change will be a result of a reaction between the bleach and minerals in the quartz. Quartz has a high calcium carbonate content, which means that it reacts with bleach containing sodium hypochlorite to form a new compound that has an entirely different color.
In order to avoid this from happening, use diluted bleach instead of full-strength bleach when cleaning your quartz.
2. Bleach Will Break Down The Sealer
Bleach is caustic and will break down the sealer that covers your quartz countertops. This can allow dirt and stains to build up in the crevices between slabs.
The sealer often used on natural stone countertops are usually acrylic-based. Acrylic is a polymer and is sensitive to most solvents, including bleach. When exposed to harsh chemicals like bleach, the sealer can become brittle and flake off, which will expose the quartz to dirt.
Using diluted bleach and not very often on your quartz countertops is often enough to keep them looking clean without damaging the sealer.
If you have a sealer on your quartz countertop, there are still some cleaning products that you can safely use on it. I particularly find that citrus-based sprays are effective for cleaning your quartz.
3. Bleach Can Cause Chipping
If you use diluted bleach on your quartz countertops, it can weaken the surface of the stone and cause chipping if care is not taken.
If you see your quartz countertops chipping or cracking, it is likely that the bleach has broken down the resins in the stone. The main function of the resins is that they bind the quartz together and keep it protected.
Unlike other types of countertops, quartz is an engineered stone so it requires resins to hold the slabs together. If these resins are broken down, your countertops will become prone to chipping and cracking.
To avoid this from happening, don’t use bleach without diluting it first, and perform regular maintenance on your quartz countertops to ensure that there is no build-up.
4. Allergic Reactions
If you are allergic to bleach, it is not safe for you to use the cleaning product on your quartz countertops.
Some people who have an allergy to bleach might not be able to tell because it is often hidden. These people can experience a reaction when in contact with the cleaning product.
The main symptoms of an allergic reaction are redness, eye irritations, swelling, and itchiness of the skin. People particularly with asthma are usually more sensitive to bleach and might experience difficulty breathing.
If you have an allergy to bleach, it is best that you avoid using the cleaning product on your quartz countertops. There are other cleaning products that you can use to keep your countertops sparkling clean without causing any damage.
If you have these symptoms after using a cleaning product on your quartz countertops, it is best to avoid that particular cleaner in the future.
What Are The Benefits Of Using Bleach On Quartz Countertops?
There are many benefits of using diluted bleach on your quartz countertop. Emphasis on the “diluted”! Below are a few of the things you can use diluted bleach to clean from your quartz countertops.
Cleaning The Grout Between Quartz Slabs
Bleach is very effective for cleaning grout between quartz slabs. It can remove stains and dirt, which makes your countertops look new again.
If you dilute your bleach solutions properly (like I’m going to be showing you later in this post) you will be able to safely clean grout or adhesive seams on your quartz countertops without any damage being done to your slabs.
Cleaning The Sink Area Of Your Quartz Countertops
The sink area of your quartz countertop is often neglected when it comes to cleaning. This area can often get dirty over time, especially if you have little ones in your house who are constantly getting food and drink all over the place.
Using diluted bleach, spray it on your quartz countertops around your sink area and allow it to sit for a few minutes. You can then use a damp cloth to wipe away the dirt and grime that has built up over time on your countertops.
Cleaning Quartz Countertops With Stained Seams And Grout
Bleach can be used to clean countertops grout and seam stains. This can often be very tricky to deal with. But one of the best ways to get rid of these stains is by using diluted bleach.
You can use a spray bottle and mix your diluted bleach with some water before spraying it on your countertops. After allowing it to sit for a few minutes, you can use a damp cloth or sponge to wipe away the stains.
But be careful not to scrub too hard as the grout might begin to wear off. Using a small brush or toothbrush can also help to scrub off the stains.
Cleaning Scratches And Stains On Your Countertops
If you have a lot of marble or quartz slabs in your home, chances are at one point there will be scratches and stains on the countertops. This is because these surfaces are prone to scratching and staining, especially if you have pets or kids in your home who might be too rough on them.
Bleach is great at cleaning out stains on your countertops, especially if the stain has been there for a while and you can’t get rid of it. You can use a small brush or toothbrush to scrub the stains away.
Keeping Mold and Mildew at Bay
Last but not the least, diluted bleach is great for keeping mold and mildew at bay. If you have a humid bathroom, chances are over time your countertops might begin to develop mold and mildew.
Using a spray bottle, mix your diluted bleach with some water before spraying it on the areas of your countertops that are prone to mold and mildew. You can then use a damp cloth or sponge to wipe away the stains left behind by the bleach solution.
After that, use mild cleaning soap to wash the area where you have sprayed with diluted bleach.
How To Safely Use Bleach To Clean Quartz Countertops
As I might have hinted severally in this post, there is definitely a wrong and a right way to use bleach on your quartz countertops.
I mentioned a few of the things you can use diluted bleach for earlier in this post, but I’m going to go over them again for good measure.
Here’s how to safely use bleach on your quartz countertops:
Step 1:
- Dilute the bleach with water in a spray bottle. You would want to use a ratio of one part bleach and ten parts water for general common dirt and stains.
- For tougher stains and dirt, use a ratio of one part bleach and two parts water.
Step 2:
- Spray this solution on your countertops and allow it to sit for about 5 minutes before wiping it away with a damp cloth or sponge.
- Do not allow the bleach solution to completely dry over the surface of the countertops.
- Also, avoid scrubbing the area where you have sprayed as this can cause damage to your countertops.
Step 3:
- Thoroughly rinse the area where you have sprayed with warm water and use a dry clean cloth to wipe away the excess moisture.
- This way you can guarantee that no bleach residue will remain on your countertops and damage them in any way whatsoever.
Step 4:
- Now leave the countertop to air-dry before you can begin using it again.
Final Thoughts
I hope this post on how to safely use bleach on quartz countertops has been helpful for you! I also hope it’s been able to provide you with some much-needed information and insight on how you can clean your countertops without damaging them.
As always, it’s important to remember that the best way to not damage your countertops is by regularly maintaining them. You can do this by following my tips and tricks outlined in this post and the numerous articles on this website.
FAQ’s
Before you leave, I have a few questions that will help to answer some of the most frequently asked questions about quartz countertops:
Q: Can I use bleach and vinegar on quartz countertops?
A: Bleach and vinegar might be great at cleaning your quartz countertops, but they certainly won’t do them any favors when it comes to damage control. In fact, the combination of bleach and vinegar can eat away at your countertops and cause irreparable damage to them.
Q: Can I use bleach and baking soda on quartz countertops?
A: Again, the combination of these two ingredients can cause a lot of damage to your countertops. So it’s best to avoid using them at all costs. Stick to the special cleaning products made specifically for quartz countertops in this case.
Q: Can I use a pressure washer to clean my quartz countertops?
A: Pressure washers can be pretty powerful and they might come in handy for blasting away tough dirt and stains from your countertops. However, you would want to consider where the quartz countertop is installed and what the corresponding measurements are before you can use a pressure washer to clean them.