Quartz is a beautiful and durable material that has been in the market for many years. One common question that a lot of people ask is its smell. The answer to this question might be surprising. In this article, we will go over why quartz countertops smell, how to remove the smell, and how to prevent it.
So, why do quartz countertops smell?
- Quartz Countertops Have Smells Or Odors When They Are New
- Quartz Countertops Have Smells After Using Ammonia-Based Cleaners
- Quartz Countertops Have Smells When There Is Mold Growth
- Quartz Countertops Have Smells When There Is Water Leaks
- Quartz Countertops Have Smells When There Is Improper Installation
- Quartz Countertops Can Have Smells When You Place Hot Things On Them
- Using Smelly Sponges And Rags On Quartz Countertops
- Quartz Countertop Smells May Come From The Adhesive Resin Used
- Food, Grease, And Oil
For more details, keep reading this article.
How Is Quartz Countertops Supposed To Smell Like?
Before we get into why quartz countertops smell, let’s first take a look at what quartz countertops are supposed to look like.
Generally, quartz countertops are not supposed to have any smell. Yes, they are odorless. This is because quartz countertops are made from natural stones.
They can be processed to have an incredibly shiny and smooth surface that is non-porous – meaning that, unlike granite or marble, quartz does not have any pores.
As a result, it will not have any smell since there is nothing to absorb moisture or anything for that matter.
However, if you do smell something then that means there is a problem. But don’t panic as most of these smells are very mild and can be easily fixed.
So, the burning question is why do some quartz countertops have a stench to them. Here are the reasons why quartz countertops smell
1. Quartz Countertops Have Smells Or Odors When They Are New
When your quartz countertops are new, they might have a very slight smell. This is completely normal and will go away after some time.
When the quartz countertops are cut during the manufacturing process, the cutting and grinding processes can cause a mild smell, but they will go away pretty quickly.
Another thing is, quartz materials are usually mixed with a resin to bind them together. The resin might smell during the manufacturing process, but it will dissipate over time.
Finally, where the quartz countertop is stored after they have been manufactured can also cause them to smell.
If the temperature and humidity levels of the storage area are not correct, then there is a chance that your quartz countertops can start to smell.
This is why when your quartz countertops are new, you will want to let them sit in the room for a few days or weeks before using them. This way there is no need to worry about any smells.
So if your quartz countertop is new and it has a slight smell, then do not worry or get discouraged. This is completely normal and it will go away after a few days.
Remedy For Removing Smells From New Quartz Countertop
While simply airing the quartz countertop out for a few days will completely knock out the smell, you can also use something like vinegar or lemon juice to help get rid of the smell a little bit faster.
You will just want to mix in some water with your solution and then rub it all over the countertop. Let it sit for about 30 minutes to an hour before wiping it down with a wet towel or sponge.
Just remember to not use any harsh chemicals like bleach or ammonia because it can damage the stone.
2. Quartz Countertops Have Smells After Using Ammonia-Based Cleaners
Another one of the biggest causes of smells on quartz countertops is when people clean their quartz countertops with products that contain ammonia.
Ammonia is a highly volatile chemical and it can cause the top of your quartz countertop to react with air and thus creating a smell.
There are several natural-based cleaners you can go for that do not contain ammonia and instead work with a vinegar base, which is much less volatile.
When on the market searching for a solution to use on your quartz countertops, just make sure that you do not buy anything with ammonia in it.
Read the labels carefully to make sure you are not accidentally buying something that could cause your quartz countertop to smell.
Remedy For Removing Ammonia Smells From Quartz Countertops
If you have used or suspect to have used any ammonia-based cleaner on your quartz countertop, then one way to really get rid of the smell is by using a solution that has baking soda in it.
You just want to mix some water and baking soda together and then use a sponge or towel to rub it over the top of your quartz countertop.
This will help to remove any trace of the ammonia smell from your quartz countertop and leave it smelling fresh again.
If you have a really bad smell, then you will want to let the baking soda solution set on your quartz countertop for about 15 minutes before wiping it off.
3. Quartz Countertops Have Smells When There Is Mold Growth
Smells on quartz can be a sign of mold growth. Mold is a type of fungus and it can start to grow on quartz countertops if the humidity levels in your home are too high.
Mold spores can start to grow on your quartz countertop and they will eventually turn into mold if the humidity levels in your home are high enough.
The ideal humidity levels for your home are around 40-50%, but most homes have a lot higher than that, especially during the winter months.
It is important to keep your humidity levels in check and if you do suspect that there may be mold growing on your quartz countertop, then you will want to get a mold cleaner and spray it on there.
This is one of the only times you would ever use harsh chemicals on your quartz countertops, so make sure you follow the cleaning directions carefully.
It is also a good idea to turn your AC on and set it for around 50% humidity in order to help keep the levels down during these months.
4. Quartz Countertops Have Smells When There Is Improper Installation
In other instances, the culprit as far as smells on your quartz goes is simply a result of improper installation.
If your quartz countertop has been installed incorrectly, then there might be gaps in the sealant that water and other substances could build up in and can cause it to start smelling.
This is when you will want to contact the company that installed your quartz countertop and asks them about fixing any gaps in the sealant.
If you are on your own and do not know where the gaps in the sealant may be, then it might be a good idea to have a professional come look at it.
This is more common in kitchens that have a lot of water spills or other substances on the countertop.
The good news is that you should be able to fix this with a professional and make your quartz countertop smell-free once again.
5. Quartz Countertops Have Smells When There Is Water Leaks
Water leaks on quartz can cause it to start smelling. If your quartz countertop is near the sink, then there might be some water that has been leaking behind it and this could cause the area to start smelling.
If you have a water leak going on, then there are two things that you will want to do. The first is that you will need to turn off the water and then go behind your quartz countertop and try to find where the leak is coming from.
Once you have found it, then you will need to dry off your quartz countertop and let any water that may be inside it evaporate.
You will also want to make sure that you fix the leak behind your quartz countertop, otherwise, this problem will keep happening.
The other thing that you will want to do is take a look at the sealant around your quartz countertop and make sure that it is in good shape.
If there are any gaps, then water could work its way behind your quartz countertop and start to smell bad.
6. Quartz Countertops Can Have Smells When You Place Hot Things On Them
Putting hot things onto your quartz countertop can cause it to start smelling. If you cook a lot and place hot pans on the surface of your quartz countertop, then this could cause the area to start smelling.
This is because you will find resins on the surface of quartz countertops and the hot pans you put on them will melt or heat the resins causing them to release a bad smell.
This will usually be a strong chemical smell the first few times it happens, but if you continue to use hot items on your quartz countertop then this may keep happening.
The bad news is that this type of problem can be difficult to fix and will essentially require you to resurface the quartz countertop to be able to restore its smell.
The best thing that you can do is make sure that you place hot items on a protective mat or trivet and not directly onto the quartz countertop.
7. Using Smelly Sponges And Rags On Quartz Countertops
When you use things like smelly sponges and rags on your quartz countertops, then this can cause it to start smelling.
Sponges are very porous and tend to absorb a lot of smells. If your sponge is smelling bad, then chances are that it is also going to transfer this smell onto the surface of the quartz countertop you are using it on.
The same thing can happen with rags that are not stored properly or which have gotten wet and dried many times without properly washing them. These can also transfer bad smells to your quartz countertop.
This is a classic case of adding the bad smells to your quartz countertop the more you try to clean them.
8. Quartz Countertop Smells May Come From The Adhesive Resin Used
The smell may also come from the adhesive resin that was used to seal the quartz countertop or from a reaction between the sealant and the stone.
Sometimes, when there is a reaction between these two things it can cause an odor to be released. Also, some of these adhesive resins like epoxy have very strong smells that might be difficult to remove.
You may want to try sealing the stone again with a different type of adhesive (one that is known not to have strong smells) or you may just want to go with another type of stone that is known not to have this problem.
You can also try to clean the surface of your quartz countertop to get rid of any residue from this sealant because it might also be causing a bad smell.
Remedy For Removing Adhesive Resin Smells From Quartz Countertops
Although these types of smells are hard to remove instantly, they tend to go away on their own over time.
But if you would want a shot at removing the odor, you can surely try. If you have access to the underside of your quartz countertop, try cleaning it with an all-purpose cleaner.
To get rid of the smell on top, you can use a mixture of vinegar and baking soda. Simply mix equal parts of each, put it on a spritz bottle and spray the countertop with this solution.
Leave the solution on for a few minutes and then wipe it off using a wet rag. This should remove most of the smell from your quartz countertop.
9. Food, Grease, And Oil
Last but not least, the bad smell could also be coming from food, grease, or oil.
If you have used your quartz countertop to prepare anything greasy like cakes or fried foods, then you might want to clean the surface with a kitchen cleaner or baking soda.
If there is any food debris left on your quartz countertop, then this can also cause a bad smell.
Also, if you have cooked anything oily on your quartz countertops and the smell has stayed on, then you can try to clean this off with a bit of vinegar and water.
Oil is one of the most difficult smells to remove from any surface especially if it has been on the surface for a while. So it might be a good idea to keep the oil off your quartz countertop in the first place.
Tips On How To Prevent Smell From Quartz Countertops
- If you are using hot items on your quartz countertops, make sure to use a trivet.
- Store rags properly so they do not get wet and dry multiple times.
- Use a special adhesive to seal the countertops if there are any problems with smelly residue from this sealant.
- Use a special adhesive to seal the countertops if there are any problems with smelly residue from this sealant.
- Do not use harsh chemicals or abrasives to clean your quartz countertops.
- Do not use hot items on the stone as this may cause some of the adhesive resin to give off bad chemical odor.
- Do not prepare any oily or greasy food on your quartz countertops. This can be a very difficult smell to remove.
- Clean the surface of your quartz countertops immediately after cooking.
Final Thoughts
To sum it up, the smells coming from your quartz countertops can be a result of many different things.
Some of these smells may be coming from the adhesive resin, food debris left on your countertop, or chemical reactions between your sealant and the stone.
Do not be discouraged, because these smells are very common with quartz countertops. Most smells tend to fade over time while other smells will need very simple processes to remove.
Thanks for reading this article and that you found some useful information on this blog post.
FAQ’s
Q: What is a quartz countertop?
A: A quartz countertop is a type of stone that has been sealed with an adhesive resin. It can be made out of real quartz or resin. It is usually made up of 90 percent quartz stone and then the rest is resin and pigments.
Q: What is the best way to clean a quartz countertop?
A: The best way to clean a quartz countertop is with vinegar and water. If you have any food debris left on the surface of your quartz countertops, try using a mild kitchen cleaner. If the food is too tough to remove, then you can use baking soda on your countertop as well.
Q: Can a quartz countertop get wet?
A: Yes, but it can be very easy to dry. A quartz countertop can handle getting wet, but it is best if you let the surface air-dry on its own. If you are in a rush, then you can use paper towels to dry the surface.
Q: Can I cook on my quartz countertop?
A: Cooking on your quartz countertop directly is not recommended. The surface of the stone can get very hot and it may cause damage to the material. So do not put microwaves, ovens, or toasters directly on your quartz countertop.
