How to Clean Quartz in an Effective, Gentle Way
Quartz may sound like it’s a natural mineral – and it is. However, the engineered quartz that you see in modern kitchens and bathrooms comes from a man-made, manufactured process. It’s formed of a buffet of ‘ingredients,’ different pieces which include resin and more than 90 percent crushed natural stone We tend to connote man-made materials with strength. Indestructibility, even. However, with engineered quartz, that may not necessarily be the case. Just because this engineered stone seems like it’s indestructible doesn’t mean that it’ll also stand up to overly harsh cleaning procedures. When your quartz surfaces present problems, you need to deal with them safely and strategically — otherwise, you could find yourself making your issues much worse. With some simple maintenance tips, you’ll be able to keep your quartz gleaming and glossy without etching the surface or rendering stains permanent. Here are the tips and tricks for keeping your quartz counters looking like new.
Simple, Safe and Effective Quartz Maintenance Tips
We say ‘tips,’ but, really, quartz is easy to maintain if you have the right product. Here’s the secret ingredient: A multifunctional quartz cleaner and polish. With one cleverly designed product, you’ll be able to keep all of your quartz surfaces looking new. Outside of that one, simple quartz-care step, you’ll find that keeping your quartz looking good is more about what you don’t do. When cleaning your quartz, keep these factors in mind for the best possible result.What Not to Do:
Quartz Surface Edition
Common household cleaners Your average household cleaner will contain harsh chemicals that won’t work with the binding agents that hold quartz together. It may be tempting to use dish soap or other readily available detergents to clean your counters, but over time that will reduce the integrity of your quartz surfaces. Because quartz is comprised of more than 90 percent crushed natural stone, it has the same reactions to harsh chemicals as granite and other natural stone.
Harsh cleaning implements:
Sharp metals and scouring pads will nick and dull your quartz surfaces. Refrain from using any tools that will cause physical damage to your stone — instead, buff gently using a soft cloth or safe-on-stone scrub sponge, and you’ll see better results.
Heat:
Here’s a good rule of thumb: Avoid exposing your quartz surfaces to extreme heat. Hot objects can cause yellow or brown discolorations — hallmarks of a resin burn. Instead, use trivets and hot pads to protect your kitchen countertops from hot pans, and avoid placing heating elements directly on bathroom countertops to keep your quartz in the best condition possible.
Stain Management Remember:
Quartz is a composition of more than 90 percent crushed natural stone and resin bonding agents to keep those natural materials held together. If you scratch or nick your quartz surface, it’s much easier for staining substances to seep inside the stone. This Etching ‘Etching’ is a process that results after exposure to liquid acids. It’ll dull the surface of your quartz after a chemical reaction between the acids and the mineral molecules of the stone. The “watermark look” that’s a byproduct of etching can look like it’s just beneath the surface of polished stone. Etching can be problematic, as it has the potential to become permanent unless it’s repaired in a timely manner by a stone restoration professional. Your best bet to avoid etching is to shy away from using high-alkaline and acidic substances, which stand a higher chance of causing that corrosive chemical reaction with your quartz surfaces. Bleach, vinegar and even some types of simple soap and water can be dangerous for your stone due to their pH levels.