Made from one of the hardest minerals on earth, quartz countertops are arguably the most durable option for kitchens. But unlike natural-stone slabs, which are mined, these slabs are engineered in a factory. I have had Quartz, Marble, and Granite so I am familiar with all 3 of them and have to say that Quartz is hand down my favorite option for countertops. I want to share with you a little bit more about them as well as how I keep them clean.
Quartz Countertops: The Girlfriends Guide
About Quartz
Their primary ingredient is ground quartz (about 94 percent), combined with polyester resins to bind it and pigments to give it color. For some designs, small amounts of recycled glass or metallic flecks are added to the mix. The resins also help make these counters stain and scratch resistant—and nonporous, so they never need to be sealed. This makes them super low maintenance and easy to care for. They also come in a huge variety of color options and finishes to choose from. The price is also comparable to natural stone ranging from $60 to $90 a square foot.
The biggest thing to know is that Quartz counters are not fully heat and scorch resistant. Most manufacturers say their products can handle up to 300 degrees F, but a sudden change in temperature or sustained heat from a pan left on the counter may cause the surface to crack. To be safe, always use a trivet or a hot pad. I never put anything hot on them just to be on the safe side and trivets are my best friend. You also don’t want cut directly on them, so to avoid scratches, use a cutting board.
How I Keep Them Clean
Quartz is very low maintenance and easy to care for. However there are definitely things you can do wrong when cleaning your quartz, so if you’re looking for the proper way to clean in order to keep your quartz countertops in tip top shape, you’ve come to the right place!
Things You’ll Need to Clean Your Quartz Counters
- Dish Soap
- Rag or Towel
- Rubbing Alcohol or (Isopropyl Alcohol)
- Sponge
- Glass Cleaner
Cleaning Your Quartz Countertops: Where to Start
Clean Off Your Quartz Counters
Cleaning off your countertops and getting rid of any debris is a good place to start. Use your towel or sponge, dip it into some warm water and wipe off the counters with your dish soap. Make sure to be gentle, you don’t want any scrapes or scuffs in the quartz.
Scrub With Dish Soap
Using your sponge, if there are any rough spots or anything sticky or cakey on the surface, scrub a little bit harder and use some elbow grease! If whatever is stuck on the counter won’t come off, you can always use a razor blade to get it up, but make sure the blade rests on the counter and you’re not going at it with a harsh angle so you don’t aggravate the quartz.
Rinse Off
After that’s done, it’s time to rinse off the counter and get any leftover soap and suds off with water. You don’t want any soap left over! Rinse out your towel and sponge and get to work!
Disinfect and Dry Off
This next step is optional, but highly recommended. You’re going to want to clean off your counters with a disinfectant, but you don’t want to use any chemicals, so this is where the isopropyl alcohol comes into play. Mix 1/4 cup of alcohol with two cups of water and pour your mixture in a spray bottle. You can use that concoction to disinfect your counters after cleaning. Let it sit for a few minutes and then dry it off.
Use 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 counters company and ask them if it is okay to use a glass cleaner to deep clean your quartz. I tend to use Windex Disinfectant for quick clean ups.
The Kitchen Rag You Need
So a friend on Instagram told me about the Norwex rag and I decided to give it a try. I literally wipe down my entire house with it, including my kitchen counters and stainless steel appliances. It cleans everything so well and leaves them streak free! It also kills 99% of bacteria. I just throw it in the washing machine when I am done and store under my kitchen sink for next time!
I hope this helped you understand Quartz and how to clean them better! Also in case you are wondering my Quartz is from Cambria and it is called Whitney. Check out my last post all about spring cleaning tips while you’re at it!
