Quartz countertops are among the kitchen countertop surfaces that can easily be cleaned and maintained.
It is easy to care for these, and it is essential for you to follow the important steps to ensure that your counters always look vibrant and you can have the best bang for your buck.
There can be a mark left on such types of countertops due to any spill. It has to be scrubbed to wipe down, and you need sufficient quartz cleaner as well as a non-abrasive cleaning pad.
In case the stain results from wax, lipstick, nail polish, paint, etc., or any food item which dries and forms a crust, you can make the stain removal happen more easily by using a spatula or a plastic knife for the process.
Read: How To Remove Permanent Marker From White Quartz Countertop
Table of Contents
Get Stains Out of White Quartz Countertops
Quartz is a very durable material and is available in varied colors and patterns. It is very simple to carry out regular maintenance of such material.
When you maintain quartz, you need to avoid the use of any harsh chemicals. Such types of chemicals may weaken the bonds existing between the quartz crystals and resins.
You would also like to avoid the use of abrasive cleaners, given that these can end up making the finish dull.
It is best that you use a soft dishcloth or a damp sponge and a bar of soft soap used for washing dishes. Simply wipe and give a rinse, and the stains will be removed.
Quartz looking similar to marble, happens to be non-porous, and thus, it does not hold any germs – such as bacteria. Stains and liquids are not able to seep into the surface either.
As you clean white-colored quartz countertops, you need to avoid the use of cleaners and chemicals like:
- Dish Washer Rinse Agents
- Oven Cleaner
- Drain Cleaner
- Turpentine
- Nail Polish Remover
- Bleach
In case any of these things accidentally spill on your counter, use a mild detergent to clean them away immediately.
For everyday maintenance purposes, you only need warm soapy water and a soft cloth. You do not require antimicrobial or bleaching agents. There is an antimicrobial property in quartz itself.
If you want to give a deeper clean, use a glass cleaner to saturate your quartz countertops. Allow it to sit for some time. Use a wet cloth to give it a wipe.
In case you want to deal with dried messes which do not come off easily, use a damp towel to rub the soiled spot until the messes get loosened up. A few cleansers can be used more safely on quartz, like Barkeeper’s Friend and Bon Ami.
Read: How To Clean Cambria Quartz Countertop
Stepwise Instructions
Here are the steps that you need to follow:
1. Use warm, soapy water and a washcloth
Generally, you need just a soft soap solution for cleaning up your white quartz countertops. It is typical that a soft dish detergent is used, which has no harsh chemical or astringent.
This is because repeated usage of astringents and chemicals can wear quartz down.
The resins that are used for sealing up quartz ensure that the finish gets resistant to daily mold, stains, dirt, dust, etc.
With warm water, you can release stubborn messes more effectively as compared to cold water.
2. Give the affected surface a wipe-dow
Wipe the countertop surface a wipe in circular, smooth motions. Most of the messes can immediately be removed with minimal effort.
Apply more soap solution as required for sticky or dried residues. Make it a habit to scrub countertops each time after you prepare a meal, bake or cook a lot.
3. Use fresh water for countertop rinsing
Wring the sponge/cloth and wet it again. Then, return to the countertops again to remove any residual soap traces. Use a paper towel to soak up the water that is left over, and let the quartz surface get dried by air.
Unless washed away in a proper way, there can be a scummy residue due to dried soaps.
After your countertop surface gets dried, use your hands to wipe it down and ensure that there is no food residue.
Right after spills occur, you should clean them up. Commercial quartz has a non-porous surface.
Thus, it does not soak up and trap stains. But it is still important for you to take care of messes, such as crumbs and stains, before these get set in place.
You can save the hassles of using more intensive techniques in the future. A few messes might get unnoticed due to the natural color pattern and grain of quartz.
With only minimal maintenance, your quartz countertop can look brand new for a long time to come.
These are the instructions to follow:
1. Get hardened messes scraped off. At times, you might face issues in getting rid of dried-on, crusty gunk, using only water and soap.
In such cases, you may use only a plastic scraper to chip messes off the spot. It can also be useful to use warm water to soften the gunk.
A small amount of elbow grease can help lift the stains off easily. You should only use nonabrasive sponges or flexible plastic scrapers, and take care not to exert excessive pressure.
If you do this, there can be small abrasions or scratches, which might worsen in due course. Use paper towels soaked in hot water to cover messes that are spread widely.
2. Use a vinegar solution to break down stubborn residues. Over a period, mineral deposits and food particles from hard water may result in a film over countertops.
Trying to wipe it down normally can only smear it about. Using a small amount of distilled white vinegar can help remove this film. Blend water and vinegar in equal parts in a spray bottle, spray the mist on the whole counter surface, and wipe with a soft kitchen sponge to ensure a shiny surface minus streaks.
In the absence of any vinegar, an equivalent quantity of hydrogen peroxide may be used as well.
3. While Vinegar makes a handy cleaner, it has an overpowering sour smell.
Combine a few drops of your favorite essential oils with some drops of lemon juice, and spray it into a room to infuse it with a beautiful scent.
Things to Note
Use specialty cleaning products for the treatment of tougher stains. In case you have to get rid of tougher stains left by glue, ink, or gum, get Goo Gone or a similar oil-based stain remover.
Lightly apply this cleaner to the white quartz countertop surface, and allow it to remain for a few minutes. Then use a damp cloth to remove the messes as well as the leftover cleaner.
For getting abnormal substances loosened, it can be better to use standard rubbing alcohol.
Use a glass cleaner to spray the countertops from time to time. As quartz gets older, the transparent resin sealant on the surface can get cloudy.
You can reduce the murkiness a little with a spritz of glass cleaner and make the finish sparkle and look more polished. It is safe to use common household products such as 3M Glass Cleaner, Clorox Multi-Surface, and Windex on quartz.
Once you have used a glass cleaner, use a sponge or cloth to give the countertops a wipe. Do not use a paper towel, as it can leave small fibers behind.
Read: How To Clean Calacatta Quartz
Removing Water Stains From White Quartz Countertops
Water stains leave a dull grayish film and are caused by the buildup of hard water on the surface. These have to be cleaned in a different way.
Avoid the use of Lime-Away or CLR for cleaning, as these are extremely acidic in form and can damage the stain and resin. You will not benefit from the use of standard cleaning techniques.
For removing hard water stains, make use of a hard water cleaner that is billed as safe for cleaning quartz. For getting rid of soap scum, using a regular shower cleaner can be a good idea as well.
Removing Lime Scale Stains From White Quartz Countertops
You need a tough quartz stain remover to remove limescale that often builds up on the quartz countertop surfaces. In such cases, you need to follow these steps:
- Test the quartz stain remover on a small quartz surface area. Before you use it on the surface, check the intended ratio of dilution from the ratios given.
- Use a proper mix ratio to dilute the cleaner.
- Apply the diluted cleaner onto the surface and leave it there.
- After around 10 – 30 minutes, give the surface a thorough water rinse.
- That will be enough to make your quartz countertop as clean and white as new.
How to Remove General Stains from a White Quartz Countertop?
White kitchen countertops are a traditional beauty. But these can be cleaned easily and are extremely stain-resistant in form. Due to a non-porous surface, these can be cleaned easily.
However, this does not make your countertop surface fully resistant to all those splashes and spills.
As quartz is an artificial material that is composed of a blend of resin and natural stone, it does not stain due to the absorption of liquid into its surface.
Rather, the sauce or drink of your choice may have a chemical reaction with the resin and could lead to discoloration, which might be tough to get rid of.
Thus, you should immediately clean anything that spills on your white-colored quartz countertop.
When you use coasters, trivets, cutting boards, trays, etc., these can also help avoid the formation of stains in the first place.
Stain resistance means the ability of any material to prevent the absorption of any liquid as well as the risks of discoloration upon contact with other liquids, grease, oil, etc.
On the other hand, stain-proof helps in avoiding stains in the first place. Tomato sauce, tea, red wine, and coffee are some of the things leading to some of the commonest kitchen stains.
However, when you have a quartz countertop, you can avoid stains with fast cleanup.
Maintain White Quartz Countertops; top mistakes to avoid.
Quartz happens to be among the toughest stones around. However, to prevent damage, you have to take care of a few things.
Remember that the surface of quartz is generally coated with resin, which is actually responsible for the shine. But this can get scratched and worn off as well.
You have to know that any coating or stone reacts highly to strong bases and acids. Thus, you need to steer clear of such kinds of things.
Upon long-term exposure, the stone surface can get dulled actually. Quartz is a natural stone, and thus, it is susceptible to reactions with bases and acids.
When you put anything hot on the countertop surface, you have to be careful. You should only carry out cleaning with materials that are warm at the most, or preferably, at room temperature.
The resin that is responsible for the shine and protection of the quartz surface can get melted actually.
Anything with harsh chemicals, such as paint thinners, detergents, oil soaps, or any cleanser that has bleach, could end up discoloring or staining your countertop.
Do not avoid this or ignore this. Use a gentle dishwashing liquid and a soft sponge or dishcloth to ensure that the job easily gets done.
Conclusion
Once you invest some amount of energy into cleaning and avoid mistakes while doing so, you can ensure a sparkling countertop for a long time to come.
It is essential for you to take care of the quartz surface, remove stains with proper cleaning methods and keep hot pads or trivets beneath serving trays, pans, or hot pots, so as to keep your countertop surface protected always.
While it is possible to clean up quartz countertops, it is better and easier when you take steps to avoid stains in the first place.
