The Only How To Clean Quartz Countertops Guide You Will Ever Need

How To Clean Quartz Counters With The Number One Countertop Fabricators in Pittsburgh

How to clean quartz is a great question to ask if you are thinking about investing in this beautiful engineered stone for your home. Whether you are seeking to buy quartz counters for your kitchen or your bathroom, it is a countertop material that you will be extremely happy with no matter what. Quartz countertops are not so hard to care for, in fact, they are quite low maintenance. Proper care and maintenance are quite essential if you are wanting to keep your kitchen countertops looking their very best! Follow along with BC Stone for guidance on cleaning your quartz countertops the right way!

Routine For Cleaning Quartz Tops

Step 1: Wipe Your Quartz Counters With Mild Dish Soap And A Soft Rag

Take a soft cloth or sponge and dip it in a warm water and soap mix. Take the sponge and begin to gently but firmly wipe down the quartz countertops. Wipe them down as often as you need.

Step 2: Scrape Off Dried Gunk From The Quartz Surface

We recommend using a putty knife to scrape off any dirt or food. Be mindful and only scrape gently when you are removing any excess buildup. For easy and fast access, we suggest keeping a putty knife in a nearby drawer so you can grab it when you need to remove buildup off of your countertops. Countertop care is quite simple. All it takes is getting the right information and doing a little bit of research.

Step 3: Wipe Off Grease Using A Degreaser

Take the degreasing agent of choice (make sure it is safe to use on quartz) and spray it generously on your quartz countertops. Make sure the spray does not have any bleach because this will damage your quartz countertops. If you are going to use disinfectant wipes they must also be free of bleach. After all of this, you are going to want to immediately rinse off the surface using a sponge or wet towel.

• Only get cleaning sprays or products that are made specifically to be used on quartz counters. Here at BC Stone, we suggest

  Granite Gold

  .

• Can you clean quartz countertops with Clorox Wipes? It is not recommended to clean with wipes that have bleach.

• Ask your quartz stone supplier anytime you are not sure about a specific product when you want to clean quartz countertops.

Removing Tough Stains From Your Quartz Counters

Step 1: Removing Tough Stains From Your Quartz Tops

You will need some adhesive remover to rub away tough stains. Take a wet rag or cloth and use a cleaner like Goo Gone. Pour the cleaner directly on the stain and let it stay there for 5 to 10 minutes before you wipe it off. Once you have wiped off the counter, you should wipe it off again using warm water. An alternative to the Goo Gone is caramel. This may sound strange but it will work because of the sticker-like qualities that it has which will help in pulling off the gooey stains.

Step 2: Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol

Take a wet rag with some isopropyl rubbing alcohol and rub the stain using a wet towel or cloth. Next, you are going to want to wipe the counter again using just warm water. This will help with any tough stains that would not come off with a simple water and soap mix.

Step 3: Deep Clean Quartz With A Glass Cleaner

Take a safe glass cleaner and pray it on your quartz tops. Let the glass cleaner liquid sit for a few minutes before you wipe down the counters using a wet cloth. While some quartz companies say it is perfectly okay to use glass cleaners, others want you to stay far away from them. Just to remain on the safe side, we encourage you to call your quartz company and ask them if it is okay to use a glass cleaner to deep clean your quartz.

Preventing Quartz Countertop Damage

Step 1: Clean Up Spills Immediately

Take a safe glass cleaner and pray it on your quartz tops. Let the glass cleaner liquid sit for a few minutes before you wipe down the counters using a wet cloth. While some quartz companies say it is perfectly okay to use glass cleaners, others want you to stay far away from them. Just to remain on the safe side, we encourage you to call your quartz company and ask them if it is okay to use a glass cleaner to deep clean your quartz.

Step 2: Quartz Countertop Protection From High Temperatures

To protect your quartz countertops from really hot temperatures you can use mats or trivets to place your crock pots, hot pans, and electric skillets on. You do not want to place an object that is extremely hot, directly on your quartz because it will damage the countertop. If you will be sipping on citrus like drinks, make sure to use coasters. Citrus liquids don’t mesh well with quartz counters.

Step 3: Use A Cutting Board

Cutting and chopping food directly on your quartz can be tempting because quartz is durable and hard but we do not recommend it. We encourage you to keep a cutting board on site and use it when chopping, cutting, and slicing food. Quartz is scratch resistant but they are not scratch proof. Another reason why cutting boards matter is because your knives will get dull. 

Step 4. Stay Away From Harsh Cleaners

Using highly alkaline or acidic cleaners will hurt your quartz counters. If an extremely acidic or alkaline solution falls on your countertops run and grab a wet cloth dipped in water and mild detergent then clean it up. Keep nail polish, oven cleaner, turpentine, drain cleaners, bleach, methylene chloride, and all other harsh agents away.

Q: My white quartz countertops are probably the single most successful addition to my kitchen. They look pristine – nine years on – they’re tough, bacteria-resistant, and need next to no upkeep nor maintenance. For a long time, I have used a solution of dish soap and warm water alone to clean my white quartz countertops, but I've noticed they're dulling and yellowing a little. How can I bring them back?

A: Quartz is made of around 90% natural quartz mixed with around 5 to 10% polymer resin; the quartz is non-porous, which means it’s stain-resistant and usually easy to clean. However, the polymer can absorb stains. Over time, you may have noticed that your countertop has yellowed in places – and hard water stains may be a problem, too.

However, with the right approach and products, you can clean white quartz countertops effectively, and even restore their shine. Here's how.

What can damage or stain quartz?

As tough as quartz is, it can be damaged by prolonged contact with harsh chemicals, such as bleach. All cleaners that aren't made for purpose should be applied to your countertops on a damp cloth, not poured directly on to the surface. 

Oil-based cleaners, paint remover, nail polish, permanent markers and food dyes can also leave stains behind, as can turmeric. You should also be careful, day-to-day, not to place and leave hot pans on quartz countertops.

How to clean white quartz countertops

The best way to keep white quartz countertops as good as new is to wipe up stains immediately. To clean white quartz countertops, simply wipe them with a soft cloth (non-abrasive) dipped in warm soapy water, then rinse thoroughly with clean water. For continued upkeep, and to help them keep their shine, it's recommended to use specialist cleaners, with Weiman's Quartz Countertop Cleaner Polish being a top-rated buy. 

Weiman's Quartz Countertop Cleaner Polish, $13.98 at Amazon
The pH neutral formula of this cleaner means it will safely remove grease, soil, surface stains, and watermarks from quartz. It's also widely praised by users for protecting quartz from fading or darkening, and for the shine it can restore to dull countertops. We love its fresh scent, too.

Cleaning white quartz with white vinegar

We are big fans of cleaning with white vinegar, mixed in equal parts with water. Apply it to white quartz countertops with a soft cloth, allow it to soak for 15 minutes, then wipe away and rinse. 

‘For stubborn stains, leave the solution to soak overnight,’ say the experts at stone countertop experts Caesarstone. 

Cleaning white quartz with glass cleaner

If you use Windex to clean windows without streaks, you’ll be happy to know that you can also use it to give white quartz countertops a shine. 

‘Products such as Windex, are not likely to damage bonds between quartz and the resin,’ say Caesarstone’s quartz experts. ‘Some also dissolve grease, and lift dirt from the surface.’  

Windex Original Glass and Window Cleaner Bundle, $8.30 at Amazon
You may already have Windex at home; it's a marvel at cleaning windows and can also be used on white quartz countertops to remove smudges and grease, leaving behind that streak-free shine. 

Can you clean white quartz countertops with Bar Keeper’s Friend?

We’ve talked about items you can successfully clean with Bar Keeper’s Friend before and, with caution, this includes white quartz countertops. To apply it, simply wet the countertop, sprinkle it on and then rub to remove it with a soft cloth. Do not leave it to soak or use it too often - this is an ‘in case of stubborn stains’ application, not an every day one.

As Bar Keepers Friend is largely made of the chemical oxalic acid, it is advisable to wear cleaning gloves (like these from Amazon) and open windows or doors to help with ventilation when using it around your home.  

Bar Keepers Friend Original Powder | $11.41 at Walmart
This multi-surface cleaner can be used for cleaning white quartz countertops, though you need to do so with caution: do not rub excessively, do not use routinely, and do not allow to soak. 

Can you clean white quartz countertops with bleach?

It’s better to use a Soft Scrub Gel with Bleach rather than neat bleach, though you can use the latter in an emergency. However, in both cases, do not leave it to soak into your countertop as it will cause discoloration. 

Soft Scrub Gel with Bleach, $18.63 for a pack of two at Amazon
Generally used as an all-round disinfectant, this cleaner can be used on white quartz countertops, although again, with caution. Do not let it sit on the countertops as the harsh chemicals can cause yellow staining over time. Instead, wipe, then rinse and buff dry.

How to remove hard water stains from white quartz countertops

Hard water stains on quartz are best removed regularly. We recommend using Weiman's Quartz Countertop Cleaner, but you can also use Soft Scrub Liquid Gel, which should be applied with a damp cloth (not directly on to the countertop) then immediately rinsed and wiped.

When to call in the professionals

If you can’t remove stains from your white quartz countertops, it may be time to call in a trusted professional. The best place to start is with the manufacturer of your countertop, who will be able to advise the best course of action. 

How to remove dried on food from white quartz countertops

Rather than using an abrasive cloth, tackled dried on food by wetting a dishcloth and laying it over the surface. Once the food has become wet, it will loosen and you can simply wipe it off.

FAQs

How do you get stains out of white quartz countertops?

The best way to get stains out of white quartz is to use regular dish soap and warm water, working the solution into the stain before rinsing it off. However, if you want to keep your quartz countertops in top condition, it pays to use a for-purpose product, such as Weiman's Quartz Countertop Cleaner, which will also leave a nice shine.

How do you make white quartz countertops white again?

To make white quartz countertops white again, the best option is to clean it regularly with dish soap dissolved in warm water. If this doesn’t work, use a quartz restorer, such as Weiman's Quartz Countertop Cleaner, then rinse thoroughly with warm clean water. Do not let harsh chemicals soak in as they can yellow the countertops. If you have damaged your countertops more than just superficially, speak to the manufacturer for the best solution, depending on your needs.