What is quartz? Quartz surfaces are made of quartz crystals that are fused with resin (or glass) in extremely high temperatures resulting in a smooth and solid quartz countertop.
Quartz countertops are scratch-resistant, but unlike granite countertops, quartz surfaces do not need sealing to protect them from stains or scratches.
Quartz is actually more porous than granite, but since the chemical bonds between the molecules of quartz are very strong, it can last long without damage.
If you’re shopping for a new countertop, you’ll want to consider quartz countertops. Quartz countertops are durable and aesthetically pleasing, making them a popular choice among homeowners.
They tend to be more expensive than other types of countertop materials, but both the material and manufacturing process is environmentally friendly.
Quartz can come in many different colors and patterns, making it easy to find the perfect match for your home décor.
Quartz countertops can be installed on any kitchen or bathroom countertop, including islands and overhangs.
Even though quartz is scratch-resistant, the surface is porous, allowing liquids to seep into its cracks and seams, which can cause stains if not cleaned frequently.
Quartz countertops are nonporous because they are made from 93% quartz and 7% resin binder. What’s more? You can wipe your quartz countertop clean with a damp sponge.
It is the hardest natural material found in nature, which adds to the integrity of your countertop, and it has a warm non-glossy look that will resist stains and heat.
Quartz countertops range in price anywhere from $20-$30 per square foot. There are several advantages to using quartz countertops in your home. These advantages include:
- Quartz will resist stains to a certain extent.
- Quartz is heat-resistant
- Quartz does not require sealing
- Quartz countertops are durable
- Quartz resists fading
- Quartz has low maintenance quartz, which means that it is highly unlikely to have problems with its surface.
- Quartz countertops can be bought in a variety of colors
- Quartz countertops are more environmentally friendly
- Quartz countertops are very stylish
Read: How To Polish Quartz Countertops And Bring Out Their Beauty
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What Is The Best Way To Clean Quartz Countertops
Quartz countertops require frequent cleaning if you want them to last long. Even if you might not want deep cleaning at all times, you should clean the surface after each use. These are the best ways to clean quartz countertops:
1. Use a soft sponge and warm water
You should start by using a sponge to remove any food particles stuck on the quartz countertops. After this, you can use warm water to wipe the surface dry.
You can also use dish soap or dish-washing liquid to remove any stubborn smudges.
Even though quartz countertops are scratch-resistant, you should use a soft sponge or rag to do the cleaning.
2. Use vinegar and baking soda solution
Mix one-part vinegar with three parts water and add a few drops of dish-washing liquid. Don’t make the mixture too sudsy as it might leave marks on quartz countertops.
The last step is to wipe it dry using a cloth or paper towel.
To get rid of bad odors, you can also add a few tablespoons of baking soda to the solution.
When you want to create this mixture, you should mix them in a non-metallic bowl as vinegar is acidic, and baking soda is alkaline. Mix them in equal amounts.
3. Use baking powder for quartz countertops
For quartz countertops that are stained, you can use baking powder to scrub them—mix three tablespoons of baking powder in half a cup of warm water.
Then, use a sponge to clean quartz countertops with this solution. After that, wipe the quartz countertops dry using a cloth or paper towel.
4. Use vinegar for quartz countertops
For quartz countertops stained by food grease or oil, you can use vinegar to clean them—mix three tablespoons of vinegar in water. Vinegar is very acidic, so you should be careful when you use it.
When quartz countertops are stained by food oil, you can simply wipe them with a soft cloth moistened in vinegar to clean quartz countertops.
Then, use a dry towel to wipe the quartz countertops dry.
You should wear protective gear when handling vinegar, and remember, you should add acid to water and not water to acid.
Read: Can You Use Windex on Quartz Countertops?
5. Use dish soap for quartz countertops
For quartz countertops stained by dye or ink, use dish soap instead of normal cleaning liquid.
Dish soap is strong enough to break quartz countertops stained by dye or ink, and you should use a wet towel and dish soap to clean your quartz countertop and then wipe it dry.
You can wipe your quartz countertop clean with warm water after you have done to remove any lingering stains or watermarks.
6. Use baking soda for quartz countertops
Baking soda can also be used to clean quartz countertops stained by dye or ink. Quartz countertops stained by dye or ink will not likely fade away after you wipe them off with only soap and water.
However, these stains can come off if you clean them with baking soda.
You should not always use vinegar to remove the stain on quartz countertops stained by dye or ink because quartz countertops will lose their shine when you use vinegar to clean them.
7. Clean with lemon oil
One of the best ways to clean quartz countertops is by using lemon oil. It helps brighten quartz surfaces, and it also removes stubborn stains with ease.
You can purchase 100% pure lemon essential oil for this purpose online if you have quartz countertops at your home.
Not only will lemon oil leave your quartz countertop clean, but it will also leave a nice citrus scent.
8. Clean quartz countertops by using baking soda paste(lemon juice, vinegar, or salt)
If quartz countertops are badly stained, you can make a paste of baking soda and lemon juice or vinegar to clean them by hand. You can also make a thick paste with baking soda, water, and salt if the surfaces are very dirty.
Rub this paste generously on the surface of your counter, and then wipe it off with a damp cloth.
You may use warm water to clean it off after this procedure.
Read: Does Quartz Countertops Burn?
9. Clean quartz countertops by using baking soda and hydrogen peroxide
You can also clean quartz surfaces by cleaning them with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide.
Mix equal parts of these two ingredients to make a paste that you can apply on quartz countertops by hand or machine, then wipe your countertop surface using warm water.
You can also use hydrogen peroxide with baking soda to clean quartz countertops if these surfaces are very dirty.
Hydrogen peroxide is a strong cleaning agent because of the high levels of oxygen it contains, and baking soda makes the quartz surface polished because of its abrasiveness.
The mixture of the two will leave your quartz countertop looking like a newly installed one.
10. Clean quartz surfaces by using ammonia and water solution
You can mix equal parts of ammonia and water to create an excellent cleanser for your quartz countertop.
After using this solution on the surface of your counter, you should wipe it off with a sponge. It is best that you use non-abrasive sponges with this cleaning agent to protect your quartz surface.
Though they are scratch-resistant, quartz surfaces are also very sensitive surfaces, so you have to be careful when using cleaning agents on them.
11. Clean quartz countertops with baking soda, liquid dish soap, and vinegar solution
You can use a mixture of two tablespoons of baking soda, one tablespoon of liquid dish soap, and three cups of vinegar to make your own quartz countertop cleaner.
Mix the ingredients together in an empty spray bottle for easy application. Spray the quartz countertop with this solution and wipe it quickly with a clean sponge.
Just be sure to rinse the surfaces well before you use them since there is a possibility that residue from the solution could remain.
A bit of warm water can help to minimize such a possibility.
12. Clean quartz countertops with dish-washing liquid and water
You can also simply use a dishwashing liquid and water mixture to clean your quartz surfaces.
Mix a tablespoon of your favorite dishwashing liquid in a spray bottle filled with hot water.
Shake the mix thoroughly, and spray this onto your countertops for easy rinsing.
By doing this, you will leave your quartz surfaces shiny without any streaks or spots behind.
13. Clean quartz countertops with hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is one of the most powerful cleaning agents because it has high levels of oxygen that make quartz surfaces sparkling clean after you spray it on them.
When you do spray your hydrogen peroxide-water mix, you should make sure to wipe them off using a sponge.
You may also use a cloth to clean the hydrogen peroxide.
Warm water is recommended to rinse quartz surfaces after hydrogen peroxide.
14. Clean quartz countertops with white vinegar
Water and vinegar are both acidic ingredients that clean quartz surfaces efficiently without scratching them.
You only need water and white vinegar combined in a spray bottle.
Shake it to mix properly before using it across your quartz countertop using paper towels or sponges.
The acetic acid found in white vinegar can help you remove stubborn stains from your countertops.
Soak a paper towel or cloth with the solution, and then apply it on quartz surfaces to remove the stains easily.
15. Use lemon juice, olive oil, and salt scrub
Mix salt with lemon juice and enough olive oil to form a paste.
Apply the paste on quartz countertops and let it sit for at least 10 minutes.
After this, you should use a damp sponge to scrub your countertops’ surfaces to remove the dirt easily.
Pros and Cons of quartz countertops
Pros
The benefits of quartz counters are many, and they are worth checking out if you are considering quartz countertops in your home.
Quartz surfaces are very durable, and resistant to heat and scratches, and they provide a great base for your kitchen design.
It is also very low maintenance compared to many other materials like stone, wood, or ceramic. Not only this, but quartz countertops also give off a clean appearance because of their smooth surface.
Quartz is truly more versatile than solid stone and provides the same level of durability with better scratch resistance and variety in color and pattern choices.
Cons
On the downside, quartz is more expensive than most solid stones and even some man-made materials like Corian (which was engineered as an inexpensive alternative).
Solid quartz can be brittle or too hard on tools used during installation; this means that it needs to be cut carefully by professionals who are versatile and experienced in the art.
Consider this before installing a Quartz Countertop
You should consider some things before you install a quartz countertop in your home. They include:
1. Your home design. Quartz countertops look great in traditional homes, especially if the stone is gold, brown, or gray.
They are equally popular in contemporary homes, which go well with modern appliances and kitchen furniture.
2. Your budget. Quartz counters are more expensive than most other types of countertops, but their durability can help you to reduce the costs of maintenance throughout the years of use.
3. Your lifestyle. Quartz counters are not recommended for people who cook a lot with very high heat because they might damage the surface of your countertop.
High temperatures will cause your quartz counter to crack after a while.
4. Your needs as far as care goes, including potential allergies to substances used in caring for quartz countertops (some quartz countertops require the use of only certain cleaning products).
This is not always an issue, but if you are concerned about it, then you should think about this before making your purchase.
5. Your kitchen layout and quartz countertop size. Quartz counters come in a variety of styles and sizes.
So, if you have a specific quartz countertop in mind, for example, a quartz vanity top or quartz backsplash that you would like to match with your quartz countertops, then take your kitchen layout and size into consideration when planning to purchase them together.
Nothing is more frustrating than having all the quartz surfaces in your kitchen match perfectly except for one small area, which might be difficult to find another quartz replacement top for!
6. Where you plan on getting your quartz countertop from is very important. You should consider reliability, quality of quartz materials, quartz counter thickness, quartz backsplash, or quartz vanity tops matching your quartz countertops’ particular style and quartz slab availability.
Once you have chosen which quartz slab to purchase, it is time to get measuring. It is super easy for one person to measure a quartz countertop because all you need is a tape measure and a couple of other small tools such as pencils and paper – super simple!
The best way to start out would be to find the widest point of the quartz slab.
Work your way down, measuring each separate section that will become your future quartz countertop, even if they are not exactly the same size.
When working with quartz slabs, the different colors might vary slightly, where some may be slightly wider than others.
It will be a huge waste if you’ve bought the countertop and then realized that it does not fit into the room.
Different designs of countertops
You can pick your counter from several countertop designs, each of them with its own features. Check out some of them:
Quartz countertops
Quartz counter is a solid surface material that is made from quartz crystals, pigments, and resins. Quartz countertops are very durable and heat-resist materials that will also never rust.
Quartz seams should be sealed every six months with special chemicals to keep them resistant to damage. However, you should be very careful with these chemicals because of their abrasive nature.
You should call in a professional to help you with sealing your quartz countertops.
Granite Countertops
Granite is a natural stone material that has been used for centuries as beautiful home décor. It comes in various styles and colors – black, pink, gray…etc.
Granite is one of the hardest stones out there, so it can resist any hit or cut made by heavy items like knives or even coins!
You should seal granite every year because it absorbs stains easily, which might lead to staining your granite if left unsealed.
Laminates
Laminate is an inexpensive material that looks like wood or stone but actually has all the benefits of plastic.
The biggest advantage of laminates is that they do not need any sealing or polishing and never wear out because there is no color or pattern underneath the surface that could fade away over time.
This type of countertop resists scratches and stains, but if anything damages its surface, all you have to do is to sand it down for several minutes and apply another layer of laminate.
Quartz composite countertops
Quartz composite is also an economical option for people who do not want to spend much on buying a new kitchen top counter but still get excellent durability together with heat-resistant properties for their kitchen top counters.
You should clean your quartz composite countertops regularly by wiping them with warm water and a non-abrasive sponge or rag.
Organic quartz
This type of quartz has exactly the same features as regular quartz, but there’s this one little thing that brings all the difference, “organic.”
The term organic means that this kind of quartz contains natural ingredients, which make it 100% eco-friendly, so you don’t have to worry about your house becoming an ecological disaster area anymore if you use it for your kitchen counters.
In a sense, they are safer to use than regular quartz countertops.
Concrete tops
This type of quartz countertop is made from concrete. Concrete has different features from quartz because it’s made from a mixture of water, sand, and gravel, while quartz is made from up to 95% quartz.
Concrete quartz might not be as hard as quartz nor look as great, but this doesn’t mean that they’re flimsy. In fact, in the hands of experts, concrete quartz will come out looking very beautiful.
The strength level of concrete quartz is somewhere between that of regular quartz and tile countertops. This means that you can still use them for your kitchen counters if you want a cheaper choice compared to quartz.
Silestone
There are two types of Silestone, natural quartz and man-made quartz, referred to in short by their common name, Quartzite, which has been around for decades now.
Like any other type of quartz countertops, these variations have all the quartz strength, and quartz looks as well, just like Quartzite.
Quartzite has an earthier feel to it, though, which makes it look slightly different from quartz. Your choice of Silestone will depend on your preference if you want quartz or Quartzite material.
Zodiac
The third type of quartz countertops is another man-made quartz but this time, created with some polymers for added strength and durability at the price of having less quartz strength compared to quartz and concrete quartz variations.
However, these types of quartz countertops are good for those who have active homes that need their counters to stand up best against physical abuse, such as cutting meat or using sharp knives frequently.
Marble
Marble tile countertops are another beautiful type of countertop you can use in your home. Marble is formed deep in the ground over time and may require special care.
The same concept applies to marble countertops as it does to quartz. If you have small children or pets, be careful because Marble can chip just like Quartzite.
To care for your marble countertop, you should use a cleaner regularly.
Conclusion
There are many wonderful quartz countertops you can choose from when trying to fit your quartz countertops into your kitchen’s style.
The important things about quartz countertops are that quartz cannot be damaged by stain or burnt indirect flame, making these quartz countertops perfect in any home where spills can occur regularly.
