What to Use to Clean Quartz Countertops?

Quartz is a stunning countertop option that’s rising in popularity, due in part to its undeniable durability and low maintenance requirements. While quartz countertops are very easy to clean and maintain, there are still a few things you’ll need to keep in mind—and a few products to avoid—when taking care of your counters. Here’s an in-depth guide on how to clean quartz countertops to keep them looking brand-new and beautiful for years to come.

How to Prevent Damage to Your Quartz Counters

The best way to keep your quartz looking its best is simply prevention. While quartz is a durable, stain-resistant and generally low-maintenance product, it’s not completely impervious to everything. It’s best to err on the side of caution with these tips:

• Use a cutting board, rather than cutting directly on quartz surfaces. Remember your counters are scratch-resistant but not scratch-proof.
• Use trivets to protect your counters from heat. It’s not a great idea to put hot pans on quartz, as it can damage the resin.
• Clean up spills right away. Avoid the risk of stains by acting quickly to wipe up spills, especially if it’s something like wine, coffee or citrus. While quartz is designed to resist stains, it is not 100% stain-proof.
• Avoid harsh cleaners and abrasives that can cause damage to or change the color of your quartz countertops. Highly acidic or alkaline products should be avoided, including oven cleaner, bleach, drain cleaner and nail polish remover. Some products, like natural stone polish, magic erasers, scouring pads and abrasive cleaning powders can cause hazing, cloudiness or other problems. When in doubt about a product or cleaning method, ask an Arizona Tile expert or refer to our care and maintenance resource page!

How to Clean Quartz Countertops

Day-to-day cleaning of your quartz countertops is easy. Clean fresh spills and messes by simply dipping a soft cloth (such as microfiber) or a non-abrasive sponge in a mixture of mild dish soap and water. Gently wipe the surface clean.

For dried spills or a particularly big after-dinner mess, use a gentle surface cleaner—just make sure it doesn’t contain bleach or acidic ingredients for best results. Spray the cleaner over the counters, let it sit for 5-10 minutes and then wipe away. If you’re not sure about a specific product and whether it can be used on quartz, contact your local Arizona Tile expert for help!

For stuck-on or hardened messes including food, gum, nail polish and paint, you may use a plastic putty knife to gentle scrape the material off the surface of your quartz countertop.

If your counters have been stained by permanent marker or ink, carefully use a small amount of denatured alcohol to rub the mark away. When you’re done, be sure to rinse the area to remove any remnants of the cleaner.

With these tips, keeping your quartz countertops looking clean, new and beautiful should be easy. You can see what quartz countertops would look like in your home with the Just Imagine Visualizer from Arizona Tile.