I am often asked if it is okay to use mineral oil on quartz countertops. This is a great question! Quartz countertops are beautiful, but they can be tricky to care for. In this article, I will be talking about whether or not you can use mineral oil on quartz.
So can you use mineral oil on quartz countertops? You can use food-grade mineral oil to put a shine, protect, and hide scratches on quartz countertops. You must be very careful as there are some downsides to using mineral oil on your quartz countertop such as stickiness and causing your countertop to easily attract debris and dust.
Keep reading this article to find out more!
What Is Mineral Oil?
Mineral oil is a type of petroleum product. It’s also sometimes called liquid paraffin or white mineral oil, depending on the brand.
People use mineral oil to clean and condition the wood, countertops, leather, and even floors. You can also purchase it as a general-purpose household cleaner for the floors, window blinds, and even your glass stovetop.
Why Should You Use Mineral Oil On Quartz Countertops?
Mineral oil is a great product to use on quartz countertops because it is food-grade and completely safe for your family.
It’s also a good choice because it is a natural product. It’s even safe for babies and often recommended as a gentle, effective moisturizer for diaper rash prevention.
You can use mineral oil if you are looking to protect your quartz countertops, shine them up a bit, or even remove some scratches.
Benefits Of Using Mineral Oil On Quartz Countertops
Mineral oil is a safe product with many benefits for your countertops. Below are some benefits of using mineral oil on quartz countertops that you might not have known about.
1. Mineral Oil Is Food Safe
The mineral oil that is food-grade, means that it has been approved by the U.S FDA as a safe product for use in contact with your food.
This type of mineral oil is a non-drying, odorless, colorless liquid that does not have any flavor or natural scent.
It’s vital to remember that not all mineral oils are healthy for people to ingest, and this oil is fine for human use.
Plain edible oils are not food-grade, so they can potentially have impurities that might transfer to your countertops and then into your food.
2. Mineral Oil Is A Natural Product And Non-Toxic
Mineral oil is a completely natural product that contains no harmful chemicals, toxins, or carcinogens due to the refinement process it goes through after it has been extracted.
This means that not only is it safe for direct use on your countertops but also good if you’re looking for a chemical-free or natural oil to help put a shine on your countertops.
All you do is to put a very small amount of oil on a clean, soft cloth and rub it into the surface. It’s as easy as that!
If you want your quartz countertops to shine, then mineral oil is a great option for you to use. It will leave your countertops looking healthy and beautiful!
3. Mineral Oil Can Be Used To Put A Mild Shine On The Countertop
Mineral oil is one of the best oils that you can use to put a shine on your quartz countertops. It also works great if you like the matte look and don’t want a shine.
It is a gentle product that can be used on countertops, furniture, and even floors to give them an extra shine and a beautiful luster.
Mineral oil is also a great moisturizing agent that slows down the effects of aging. The lipid in mineral oil not only softens the skin, but it makes your countertops shine.
One of the best things about mineral oil is that although it works well on quartz countertops, it’s also great for any type of wood installations in the form of cabinets, draws, etc that is often seen with most countertops.
The mineral oil can be used as a deep conditioning treatment for your countertops every now and again. Mineral oil is a “wonder” product that you can use on your countertops, furniture, wood floors, and more.
4. Mineral Oil Is An Effective Remove Scratches
If you have minor scratches on your quartz countertop, then mineral oil is a great solution to use to hide them.
It will not only remove the scratches but will also prevent further damage to your countertops. It sits in those scratches and then dries up, which makes the scratches disappear.
You might need to use it more than once depending on how many scratch marks you have on your quartz countertops are and how deep they are, but it will eventually take them away.
The Downsides To Using Mineral Oil On Quartz Countertops
1. Can Trap Debris On Countertops Easily
One of the downsides to using mineral oil on quartz countertops is that it will trap any debris easily. If you have pets or kids, then you will need to clean your countertops often.
Some people find this inconvenient and prefer not to use mineral oil on quartz countertops because it will trap dirt and debris.
It is recommended that you clean your countertops after using mineral oil to remove the trapped dirt and debris in order to prevent any lingering bacteria or germs.
2. Can Be A Bit Oily
Mineral oil is an excellent choice for quartz countertops because it works well, is inexpensive, and easy to use.
However, you need to be careful when using mineral oil on quartz countertops because it can be a bit oily.
It takes about 20-30 minutes for the oil to dry, so if you want your quartz countertops to have a beautiful shine, then you need to be patient.
3. Can Make Your Countertop Sticky
Lastly, because mineral oil is a petroleum product, it can make your countertop sticky.
It is not as bad as other petroleum products, but if you are not looking to have a slippery or stickiness on your quartz countertops then mineral oil is not for you.
Simply resort to using your regular countertop cleaners to keep your countertops clean and attractive.
Things to keep in mind when using Mineral Oil On Quartz Countertops
- Always test out the mineral oil on a small inconspicuous area on your countertops to make sure that you are okay with the shine.
- Be patient when using mineral oil because it can take some time to dry even when you buff it.
- Be careful when using mineral oil on quartz countertops because it will attract and trap dirt and debris.
- Use a microfiber cloth or towel to buff off mineral oil residue on your quartz countertops because it can be slippery.
- Make sure to get FDA-approved food-grade mineral oils for your countertops.
- Be careful when using mineral oil on quartz countertops because it can leave a sticky residue.
- Always clean the countertops after using the mineral oil to remove any trapped dirt and debris.
- Mineral oil is an inexpensive and easy solution to remove scratches on quartz countertops.
- Mineral oil works well with other types of materials such as wood but it can put an oil stain on your wooden cabinets.
Final Thoughts:
I always advise you use the right tool for the right job in which case if you’re to ask me about whether or not you can use mineral oil on your quartz countertops? Then I will always advise you to get cleaners specially made for quartz countertops.
But in the situation where you simply cannot find any cleaners for quartz countertops then I think that mineral oil is an excellent alternative to use on them.
But remember, do not overuse the mineral oil because it can make your countertop sticky and will trap dirt and debris.
Also, you need to be patient when using mineral oil because it will take some time to dry.
In order to keep your quartz countertop looking great, you need to clean them or buff them out after using the mineral oil.
Last but not least, always make sure to get FDA-approved food-grade minerals oils because it will ensure that you will not have any health risks that come with using mineral oil on quartz countertops.
FAQ’s
Q. What is the best way to clean my quartz countertops after using mineral oil?
A. Then you’ll have to remove any residue from mineral oil with a cloth or towel and then clean them as you normally would. You would want to buff off all mineral oil residue and wait a good amount of time for the countertops to completely dry before using them again.
Q. Can I use other types of oils besides mineral oil on my quartz countertops?
A. You can, but I would advise you to just stick with quartz cleaners instead. Other types of oils might cause stains, which will not be good for your countertops no matter what material they are made from.
Q. Will you be able to use mineral oil on your quartz countertops if they have a matte finish?
A. Yes, but I would advise against cleaning them with mineral oil. Mineral oil is more suitable for countertops that have a shiny finish, not matte finishes because it might leave your countertops looking dull and unattractive.