When we renovated the kitchen in our first home, we replaced laminate with quartz countertops. Suddenly, I needed to relearn how to clean up after cooking.
You see, there are cleaning methods that can sabotage your quartz countertops. It’s the same with granite countertops.
However, we’re focusing on quartz. So, uncover the dos and don’ts you need to know and say goodbye to stains and dull finishes once and for all.
How to clean quartz countertops: Avoid these surprising mistakes
Proper care of kitchen favorites like cast iron skillets and stainless steel pans is important for extending their longevity. But what about countertops? Is there more than meets the eye when caring for these surfaces?
Not all countertops are equal, and some materials need more attention than others. For example, marble is notoriously soft and reacts poorly with acid cleaners like vinegar or lemon juice. These can eat away at the stone or leave difficult-to-remove stains.
How does a popular choice for modern homeowners like quartz stack up?
Quartz countertops have a beautiful Instagram-worthy aesthetic and are generally pretty durable and able to withstand regular kitchen use. While considering important durability qualities like hardness, heat resistance and stain resistance, The Spruce ranks quartz countertops as a top choice for the kitchen.
While it’s a relief not to worry about culinary mishaps damaging a quartz countertop, cleaning them the right way still makes a big difference in preserving their original glossy finish and long-lasting qualities.
Common quartz countertop cleaning mistakes
If you plan to remodel your kitchen or bathroom with quartz countertops or already have them installed, you’ll want to know how to take care of them the right way.
Here are the most common mistakes people make with quartz counters:
- Not cleaning up spills immediately
- Using abrasive cleaning solutions
- Using the wrong cleaning tools
- Overlooking regular maintenance
Cleaning Mistake 1: Not cleaning spills immediately
Always be attentive to spills and wipe them up right away.
If not cleaned immediately, red wine, tea and coffee spills can stain the quartz, particularly light-colored hues. So be careful next time you make a Starbucks copycat recipe at home, keep all the coffee in the cup.
Acidic foods like vinegar, citrus juice and tomato sauce are common culprits for staining quartz because they can penetrate into the stone and stain.
When a spill happens, simply wipe it up quickly with a soft dishcloth and warm soapy water.
Cleaning Mistake 2: Using abrasive cleaners
Using the wrong cleaning solution can degrade the stone. Both overly acidic and alkaline cleaners are considered abrasive and have the potential to damage the countertop.
Common cleaners you’re better off avoiding include:
- Clorox wipes
- Windex
- Bleach
Instead, making a soapy mixture of dish or antibacterial soap and warm water will be sufficient. Alternatively, buying a cleaning formula made specifically for quartz surfaces is another safe option.
Furthermore, avoid homemade recipes that include vinegar and lime or lemon juice. Instead, a DIY all-purpose cleaner without vinegar is just what you need.
Cleaning Mistake 3: Using the wrong cleaning tools
Be careful when selecting your cleaning tools. Extra-strength scrubbers can be too intense for cleaning quartz counters and yield detrimental results.
Microfiber clothes tend to be better than abrasive cleaning pads that risk leaving tiny scratches behind. These minor scratches build up over time and eventually cause the countertop to become matte and lose its shine.
Avoid steel wool and metal scrapers. If you ever need to scrape material off the quartz, do so with a silicon, plastic or wooden utensil instead.
Understandably, you might be tempted to apply extra force to scrub out pesky stains. For this, use an alternative approach from Gina Matsoukas of Running to the Kitchen.
Her simple kitchen hack suggests, “A magic eraser will be your best friend if you have quartz countertops, especially light-colored quartz. It takes off scratches and stains with ease.”
Marble’s Ultimate Guide advises that all you need to do is “wet the magic eraser and apply it in gentle, circular motions. Clean the area thoroughly with water and dry it with a clean towel after.”
Cleaning Mistake 4: Overlooking regular maintenance
Even when house cleaning feels like a drag, regular maintenance is important to keep your place nice and tidy.
With short but frequent cleaning sessions, you can stay on top of your counters and preserve their pristine condition without a lot of work.
“To keep quartz countertops clean, wipe them down with a damp cloth daily or after each use. Then, wash the surface with a soapy water mixture and rinse clean at least three times a week. Your countertops will look amazing if you start this routine!”
— Gena Lazcano, Ginger Casa
Final thoughts on cleaning quartz countertops
Even though quartz countertops are generally very durable, poor maintenance practices may subject them to unwanted scratches or stains.
Learning how to clean quartz countertops is worth your time and effort. With these simple tips and practical advice, you can take good care of your quartz countertops, avoid common mistakes and preserve their luster for years to come.
In fact, by the time we were ready to sell that house with quartz countertops, it was years after we’d installed that black quartz. However, the countertops still looked brand new, thanks to my careful cleaning and maintenance over the years.
If you’re thinking of selling your home, renovating your kitchen, including installing new countertops, is one of the best home improvements you can make before listing your house.
These tips come courtesy of Jessica Haggard, creator of the blog Easy Homemade Life. She inspires and supports homemakers cooking homemade meals from scratch and provides DIY tips and tutorials for creating natural cleaning and personal care products to promote a happy and healthy home environment.
This article originally appeared on Food Drink Life.