You might be wondering why we’re talking about nail polish remover and quartz countertops. This is because most people think because nail polish remover has some cleaning properties, it can be used on any material type – including quartz countertops.
In general, nail polish remover is a liquid solvent made from acetone. It is often used for removing nail polish, varnish, glue, and other types of adhesives from surfaces like fingernails.
It is NOT recommended to use nail polish remover on quartz because it can cause damage like etching or pitting in high concentrations. However, if you are looking for a product to clean your quartz countertops safely – use an all-natural cleaner like vinegar or baking soda.
Quartz has a hardness of 7 out of 10 on the Mohs scale so it’s not as hard as steel but harder than glass.
Nail polish remover contains acetone which attacks any surface containing organic materials like wood, paper, or fabric – including your quartz counters!
In order to clean your counters using products other than those containing acetone (like soap and water or vinegar and water), you need to seal the quartz.
What Will Happen When I Use Nail Polish Remover On Quartz Countertops?
Acetone, the main ingredient found in nail polish remover can cause damage to your quartz countertops over time. So what happens when you use nail polish remover on quartz?
Etching
The most common type of damage is called etching. Etching happens when the acetone in the nail polisher remover comes in contact with the quartz.
The etching happens when the acid is present but will equally happen even without it.
The way etched quartz looks like especially the dark-colored once is not a great look. Not only that, the etching is usually deep and very difficult to repair.
So if you can, try as much as possible to avoid using nail polish remover on quartz as it can be very expensive to repair.
Pitting
Another form of damage is pitting. Pitting looks like little holes in your quartz countertops, but it’s actually tiny holes that go down into the stone.
This can occur on the surface of your quartz if you apply nail polish remover especially very often.
Most of the time, the only way to fix this will be to have your quartz countertops professionally resurfaced. Or you can simply reseal your quartz.
The cost of re-sealing your quartz countertops will be a lot cheaper than having them resurfaced!
Disintegrate The Bonds
Acetone is a solvent and it works by breaking the covalent bonds between quartz molecules. This can lead to the disintegration of the stone causing it to become very fragile.
Usually, the binding resin adhesives used are what make quartz countertops very hard and durable. When acetone starts to break these bonds, the strength of your counters is compromised.
So if there is one thing you need to worry about, then this is it.
Dull The Quartz Surface
The acetone can also react with the quartz surface to create a dull appearance. Quartz countertops usually come with a glossy finish, but when acetone is applied it can dull the appearance.
This will leave your quartz countertop looking old and dirty in which case the quartz countertop will have to be resurfaced or replaced.
Seal the Quartz Countertop
The only way to use nail polish remover on quartz countertops safely is by sealing them with a stone sealer. Sealing your counters will protect them from any damage that can be caused by acetone like etching or pitting! To learn more about how you can clean and maintain your
Change Of Color
As much as the acetone will not change the color of your quartz countertops, it can cause them to become discolored. This is because the nail polish remover contains ingredients that are not good for your quartz countertops.
The discoloration is usually yellowing which can make your counters look old and faded – especially if you have light-colored quartz! To avoid this, use soap instead of acetone to clean your counters.
Also, make sure to reseal your quartz counters after you clean them to protect them from damage.
What To Use On Quartz Countertops Instead Of Nail Polish Remover?
There are so many other options to nail polish remover that aren’t as damaging to quartz countertops.
There are safer products that you can use to clean your quartz countertops without damaging them. Some of these include baking soda mixed with water or vinegar and water which will both work just as well on basic cleaning.
If you’re looking for a stronger cleaning product, try using lemon juice. You can also make your own cleaner by combining vinegar and water with hydrogen peroxide which has been used to clean quartz countertops all over the world without causing any damage.
In order to avoid having to use anything on your counters but soap and water, use a sealer. This will keep everything out of the counter including acetone and other types of nail polish removers.
Below is how you use vinegar and baking soda instead of nail polish remover for your quartz countertops.
Vinegar And Water
An all-natural way to clean your quartz countertops is with vinegar and water. You can mix it up in a spray bottle or just purchase white distilled vinegar by the gallon at any superstore like Walmart, Target, etcetera.
Vinegar contains acetic acid which is the same type of acid found in nail polish remover. However, vinegar has less than half the concentration of acetone so it won’t cause any damage to your quartz countertops.
This among other things is the reason why vinegar is recommended to clean quartz countertops.
The way you use vinegar and water to clean your quartz countertops instead of nail polish remover is very simple.
- Mix up the vinegar and water in a spray bottle (you can use any type of white distilled vinegar but this mixture works best with apple cider vinegar).
- Spray the quartz countertop with some of the solution, give it time to work on tough stains or grime then wipe away!
- It’s that easy!
Baking Soda
Another option for cleaning your quartz counters without damaging them is baking soda and water paste. This substance will not only clean your counters but keep them polished and shiny.
Baking soda is also an all-natural product, like vinegar, so it won’t damage your quartz countertops at all!
This mixture works best on the kitchen sink (especially around the faucet) or any other area that’s exposed to food particles over time.
While baking soda is the best all-purpose cleaner for quartz countertops, you can also use it to clean appliances like microwaves or ovens.
Baking soda is very cheap at any store that sells food products (like Walmart) and will last a long time!
- To make your baking soda mixture, just take about one tablespoon of baking powder per cup of water.
- Mix it into a paste and apply to your quartz countertops with a cloth or sponge then wipe away! It’s that easy!
Final Thoughts
This article sort to discuss the implications of using nail polish remover on your quartz countertops, how to clean quartz countertops without using nail polish remover, and some tips in-between.
In summary, it’s not advised to use nail polish remover on quartz countertops because it will cause discoloration and a host of other damages to the surface of your countertops.
So you would want to use vinegar, baking soda paste, or lemon juice instead, or mild dish soap to clean or remove stubborn stains from your quartz countertops.