It’s time for you to re-do your kitchen countertops. You’ve been wracking your mind about it for a while and your heart settles on quartz. Quartz is a beautiful material and it’s easy to maintain.
Even though it isn’t hard to keep it clean and it’s pretty resilient to stains, you still have to take certain precautions. If you use cleaners that are too abrasive then it will damage the finish and you should clean spills as soon as they happen.
Are you not too sure how to clean quartz countertops? Don’t worry we can help you out. Check out this complete cleaning guide.
1. Use Warm, Soapy Water
The resin that is used to seal your quartz countertop will protect it from most stains and dirt. Even if you do spill something on the counter then the only thing you’ll need to clean it is soap and warm water.
To protect your finish, make sure that whatever soap you use is mild. If you use abrasive chemicals too often it will wear down on the countertop over time. Wipe away the mess using soft circular motions.
If there is something resilient and sticky on the counter you can use a little more soap without doing damage to the counter.
2. Rinse with Warm Water
Once the spill is gone it’s time to rinse your counter. If you don’t then the soap will leave an unattractive residue behind.
Wash the soap out of the cloth you were using and then wipe all traces of soap off your counter. After you can see no more soap reside, you can use a paper towel to soak up the water.
3. Use A Plastic Scraper for Hardened Messes
If you’ve got a hard dried up mess on your hands then using soap and water isn’t going to cut it. You’ll need to go at it with a plastic scraper. Make sure that the scraper you’re using is plastic.
Using something like a metal knife will scratch your finish. Keep in mind that just because you’re using plastic doesn’t mean that you can’t do any damage at all. You don’t want to bear down on the counter.
If the plastic isn’t cutting it then more force isn’t the answer. Instead, spray a little warm water on the mess and let it soak for a few minutes. The water will soften the spill and make it easier for you to scrape it away.
4. Vinegar for Stubborn Stains
No matter how diligent at cleaning you are, at some point film will develop on the counter. If you try and clean it with the normal soap and water method all you’re going to do is spread the film around.
Instead of reaching for one of the more abrasive cleaners under your sink out of frustration, go for the distilled vinegar. Combine a bit of vinegar with water and spray it on the film. Run your sponge over it and it should come off.
Note that if you happen to not have any vinegar in your cabinet that hydrogen peroxide will work just as well. In the case of both options, the smell will be strong. If you don’t like that you can add a few drops of lemon juice to the mix.
5. Specialty Cleaning Products You Can Use
So, your child is doing a school project and they manage to get a lot of glue on your counter. You try to use some of the cleaning methods that we’ve mentioned already but nothing works.
If you’re dealing with something as stubborn as glue or gum you will need something more powerful but not abrasive. A few drops of Goo Gone should do the trick. Apply a bit of the cleaner to the counter and let it sit for a few minutes.
Use a damp cloth and wipe away the Goo Gone. The glue should come off right along with it.
6. Spray with Glass Cleaner
As the months with your new counters go on, you’ll notice that they start to lose their original shine. They still look nice but they’re murky. If this is the case then you can spray it with a light layer of glass cleaner such as Windex.
Make sure that you wipe the cleaner away with a sponge. If you use a paper towel it will leave fibers behind. Try to do this routine around once a month to keep your counters looking like you just installed them.
7. Clean Up Spills As Soon as They Occur
The last thing that you should know is that it’s a good idea to clean up spills as soon as they happen. Quartz is non-porous so stains won’t set in too fast but if you go ahead and clean up the spill, it will save you some trouble later.
The less that you have to go through more extreme measures to clean the countertop the longer it will last.
How to Clean Quartz Countertops and Keep Them Clean
Have you decided to install quartz countertops in your kitchen? They’re an excellent choice because they are low maintenance and gorgeous. Despite the fact that it doesn’t take much to clean them you still have to take special precautions.
If you use cleaners that are too abrasive then you risk doing damage to the counter. Use these tips on how to clean quartz countertops to keep them looking brand-new for years to come.
Are you ready to redo your counters with quartz? Contact us to set up an appointment.