Quartz countertops are a popular choice for kitchen and bathroom surfaces because they are durable, heat resistant, and easy to clean.
But even the best quartz surface will eventually look streaky or cloudy if not properly maintained. Here’s why quartz countertops look streaky;
- Using Harsh Cleaning Chemicals
- Soap Scum Or Soap Residue
- Heat Damage
- Incorrect Cleaning Methods
- Choosing a Poor Countertop Manufacturer
- Improper Installation
- Drying Plates Or Dishes On The Countertop
While some of the points mentioned above are pretty straightforward, I will like to go through the details to make things clearer. Keep reading to find out more!
1. Using Harsh Cleaning Chemicals
It is true quartz countertops are extremely durable and heat resistant, but they are also susceptible to damage from the use of harsh chemicals.
Cleaners that contain bleach, ammonia, or acid are very harsh especially if they are used very frequently or are made to sit on the surface of your quartz countertops it can damage the surface and cause it to look streaky.
The thing about the chemicals in these types of cleaners is that they are abrasive and can eat away at the surface of your quartz countertop and leave behind little white spots.
2. Soap Scum Or Soap Residue
When you clean your quartz countertop with soap and you do not rinse it down properly, then you can end up with soap scum or soap residue that looks like streaks.
This is why it is important to rinse down your quartz countertop with water after using soap to clean it.
If you used soap to clean oil or grease from the surface of your quartz countertops, it is best to use warm water to rinse them down.
Using warm water to rinse the soap off your quartz countertops is much better than cold because the result after the quartz is much better.
If you want to avoid soap residue on your quartz countertop, then make sure that you rinse it off with clean water after cleaning it.
3. Heat Damage
Another reason your quartz countertop might be looking streaky is that you have damaged it with heat causing them to have marks that look like streaks on them.
Quartz countertops are not made to be used under extremely hot appliances such as a stove or oven.
They can easily become damaged, streaky, or cloudy even if they are simply in close proximity to the heat of these appliances.
Even if you are not placing hot dishes directly on the surface of your quartz countertop, it is still susceptible to heat damage.
So be careful and make sure to keep your quartz countertops as far away from heat as much as you can.
4. Incorrect Cleaning Methods
Using improper cleaning methods can also cause your quartz countertop to look streaky.
This can be as simple as cleaning the surface of your quartz countertop and not buffing its surface with lint-free cloths.
Also, if you are using a cleaning cloth that is too abrasive or scrubbing the surface of your quartz countertop too much, this can cause them to have white spots that look like streaks.
So remember to keep your cleaning methods gentle and you will be sure to have beautiful quartz countertops for years to come.
If you are not using the right cleaning methods to keep your quartz countertop streak-free it will become cloudy or hazy over time.
Later in this article, I will show you how to clean your quartz countertops without leaving streaks.
5. Choosing a Poor Countertop Manufacturer
There are some quartz countertops that will naturally look more streaky than others.
The reason for this is that some companies use quartz aggregates to make their countertops while other companies do not.
Using quartz aggregates will make the surface of your quartz countertop look more natural and less like a solid sheet.
While this is a good thing for many people, it is a downside if you are looking for a solid-looking quartz countertop.
So be sure to research different types of quartz countertops and the different companies that make them before making a purchase.
6. Improper Installation
When choosing a company to install your quartz countertops, you will want to make sure they use high-quality materials and have been in business for a long time.
However, there are many companies that use poor-quality materials when installing your quartz countertops.
This can cause them to start looking streaky, cloudy, or hazy after just a few months of being installed in your home.
Be sure to check the materials used in your quartz countertop installation before signing off on them or you might have a bad time later.
Low-quality materials such as cheap waxes, polishes, weak adhesive can cause your quartz countertop to look streaky.
Be sure you are getting the best installation possible before having your quartz countertops installed.
7. Drying Plates Or Dishes On The Countertop
If you are drying your plates or dishes on a dish rack over your quartz countertop, this can cause streaks on the surface.
The reason for this is that the thin layer of water that might be left on the plate or dish will drip onto the surface of the quartz countertop and then evaporate or dry leaving behind streak marks and watermarks that is sometimes hard to come off.
To prevent this, be sure not to dry anything on your quartz countertop. If you must, wipe your dishes before placing them on the dish rack or towel.
How To Remove Streak Marks on Quartz Countertop
The best way to remove any streaks from your quartz countertop is by cleaning it with dish soap and a warm water solution. This will clean the streak marks even if the streaks are a result of oil stains, chemicals, soap scum, etc.
This is also one of the safer ways to clean your quartz countertop because it will not cause damage to the surface of your quartz.
I would not want to spend too much time on this as in the next subheading I’m going to show you how to clean quartz countertops without leaving streaks.
How To Clean Quartz Without Leaving Streaks
When it comes to streaks on quartz countertops cleaning is key.
However, many people use the wrong methods for cleaning their quartz countertops and therefore making them more streaky than they were before.
Let’s go over some best practices when it comes to cleaning your quartz countertops without leaving behind streaks.
Procedure:
Step 1:
- With the help of a rubber spatula or atm card remove any hardened food, crusted dirt, or dust.
- Do not use knives or anything that can scratch the surface of your quartz countertop.
Step 2:
- Mix warm water with a few drops of dishwashing soap and pour it into the spray bottle.
Step 3:
- Use the spray bottle to apply this mixture onto your quartz countertop. To do this, spritz a few sprays of the mixture onto your countertop and use the microfiber cloth to rub the mixture in a circular motion.
- Repeat this until the surface of the quartz is clean.
- If you are dealing with hard stains, let the mixture sit for a few minutes before wiping them away.
Step 4:
- Use a damp microfiber cloth to wipe away any excess soap or residue.
- Be sure to be thorough in your wiping so that the surface of the quartz countertop is completely clean.
Step 5:
- Use a dry-clean microfiber cloth to wipe away any excess water and to dry the surface of your quartz countertop.
Step 6:
- Once this is done, make sure there is no moisture on the surface of the quartz countertop before allowing it to completely air-dry.
Following these steps will leave your quartz countertops clean and sparkling without any streaks or smudges.
How To Prevent Your Quartz Countertops From Looking Streaky
Now you know why your quartz countertop is looking streaky, but what can you do to prevent it in the future? I have mentioned a couple of times a few things you could do to prevent streaking on the surface of your quartz countertops but below is a comprehensive list.
- Do not place hot dishes directly on the surface of your quartz countertop
- Only use lint-free cloths to clean your quartz countertops.
- Do not use abrasive cleaning cloths or scrub too hard when washing them.
- Consider getting solid-looking quartz over quartz aggregates.
- Be sure to do thorough research before choosing a company for the installation of your quartz countertops.
- Make sure you are getting high-quality materials during the installation process.
- To avoid streaking in the first place, be sure you thoroughly rinse off all soap scum and grime before wiping it down with a damp cloth or sponge. Once that’s done, dry it off with a soft cloth to prevent any water spots from occurring when it dries naturally on its own.
- Never allow any water to dry over the surface of your quartz countertops.
- If you are drying dishes on a dish rack, make sure it is not directly over the top of your quartz countertop.
- Do not use any spray cleaners, harsh chemicals, or solvents on your quartz countertops as this can damage the surface of your countertops and cause them to look streaky.
- Most cleaners meant for natural stone or solid-surface counters will work just fine on your quartz countertops.
- It is also a good idea to have the sealant of your quartz countertop checked every six months or so to make sure it is still in good condition.
- Be sure to never use scouring pads or abrasive scrubbers on your quartz countertops as this can be very damaging to the surface.
- If you do get a scuff mark on your quartz countertop, try buffing it out with a high-quality polishing compound.
So there you have it there is an abundance of tips highlighted above that can help you prevent your quartz countertops from looking streaky.
Your best bet is to be very careful when it comes to maintaining your quartz countertops as this alone can help prolong their look and appearance.
Final Thoughts
Streaks on quartz countertops are a common thing and are relatively easy to prevent and fix.
The most important thing to remember is to be patient when it comes to maintaining your quartz countertops as rushing the job can lead to permanent streaking.
Follow the steps I highlighted above and you will find that your quartz countertops stay clean and streak-free.
FAQ’s
Q: What is the best way to clean my quartz countertops?
A: There are a few steps that must be taken in order to properly maintain your quartz countertops and keep them from looking streaky.
Make sure to thoroughly rinse off any buildup of soap scum or grime before wiping down the surface of your quartz countertop.
Once you have done this, dry off the surface with a soft cloth before allowing it to air-dry on its own.
Never allow any water to dry over the surface of your quartz countertops as this can lead to streaking and spotting.
Q: How should I maintain my quartz countertops?
A: There are a few steps that you can take to maintain the look and appearance of your quartz countertops.
Be sure not to use any harsh chemicals or cleaners on the surface of your quartz countertops.
It is also a good idea to have them sealed every six months or so in order to protect them from any stains.
Always remember to never use scouring pads or abrasive scrubbers on your quartz countertops as this can lead to permanent streaking.
If you do get a scuff mark, try buffing it out with a high-quality polishing compound to take care of it.
Q: What does quartz countertop sealer do?
A: Quartz countertop sealers are a great way to protect your quartz countertops from stains and smudges.
These seals are typically water-based or oil-based and will help your quartz countertops stay clean for many years to come.
Sealants need to be rechecked every six months or so and you will likely only have to do this once a year.