You installed this expensive stone as a kitchen countertop, but now you’re not sure about cleaning it. Fortunately you don’t have to worry much because cleaning this surface is a piece of cake. Find out how.
Quartz countertops, though expensive, are the most convenient and easy to maintain by any home owner. In fact, quartz is touted as one of the best countertop materials for a kitchen because it has a great resistance and hardness. The variety in color is also as great as that of granite. There is no doubt that these countertops can be effortlessly cleaned and maintained. However, before we look at the method of caring for and cleaning them, we will take a look at some features of this wonderful stone that make it so easy to maintain.
Features of Quartz Countertops
Some features that make these countertops stand out among other popular materials for countertops include the following.
- Quartz rates at 7 on the Moh’s hardness scale, bringing it close to that of many gemstones. As such it is less likely to get damaged or chipped very easily.
- It is a heat and scratch resistant surface that makes it perfect for kitchen countertops.
- It is a non-porous material so it does not soak up strong stains such as those from oil, colored foods, or any other such items. Moreover, its non-porous quality makes it resistant to mold and mildew.
- Its best quality is that it does not require any sealing as it is sealed in the finishing process itself. It also does not lose its shine easily.
With so many features and positives of quartz countertops, don’t you think cleaning them must be cakewalk? Here’s a look at how these can be cleaned and kept shining.
Cleaning Quartz Surfaces
➝ Use mild soap cleaners for this surface. You may also use stone cleaners for this purpose. Cleaners with heavy chemicals and bleach should be avoided.
➝ Cleaning the countertop with hot water and a sponge on a daily basis is enough. Do not use soap to clean the counters everyday as it can cause a build up of soap residue.
➝ If you find that there are stains on the countertop, you may use a slightly stronger cleaner. However, avoid using any abrasive materials on it. Though it is scratch resistant you do not want to weaken it by using such materials. A mildly abrasive pad is suitable enough.
➝ A vinegar and water solution also works well to clean tougher stains or spots on the quartz surface.
➝ Sometimes you may find that remnants of food have gotten stuck to the surface of the counter after drying up. In such a case, you may use a (butter/putty) knife to scrape away these remnants and then clean as usual.
➝ Finally, if there are stubborn stains on it, simply pour the water and vinegar or soap solution on the stain and let it stay for a few minutes. Then scrub it with a non-scratch scrub to get rid of the stain. This is the best remedy to get rid of tough stains.
➝ Wipe the surface dry with a clean cloth, and ensure that no soap residue or water streaks are left behind. Doing so will have the countertop looking as good as new.
➝ To reduce cleaning and maintenance efforts, ensure that hot pans are placed on coasters on the surface and not directly on it. Moreover, even water rings and the like can get etched on to the surface if not cleaned regularly. As such, using protective materials such as coasters will help maintain these countertops.
In short, quartz countertops can be cleaned with utmost ease. However, to maintain this expensive stone, ensure that you clean it every day, particularly if you are in the kitchen and using it for long time periods. As resistant as it is to most things, not taking care of it can cause it to lose its shine and richness. Take care of it and you won’t have much trouble with this magnificent stone countertop.