Protecting Your Quartz Countertops

Although quartz is durable and abrasion resistant, it can still be scratched by sharp objects or harsh, abrasive cleaners. This type of damage can dull the surface and expose the quartz to more serious problems such as stains, chipping and cracking. The best way to protect your countertops is to keep knives, metal utensils and other sharp items away from the surface of the counters.

It is also important to wipe up any liquids or other materials on your counters immediately after a spill to prevent stains from setting in. Although quartz is resistant to most common stains, juice, wine, coffee and tea can cause permanent discoloration if left on the counters for an extended period of time. It is also a good idea to wipe up any spills of food dyes, rust removers, nail polish and permanent markers as soon as possible.

Quartz surfaces are generally heat-resistant, but prolonged direct contact with hot pots or pans can change the chemical composition of the poly resin binders used to create the counters. This can lead to a thermal shock that damages the quartz and causes it to crack or discolor. To prevent this, use trivets and hot protection pads on your counters and never place a hot pot or pan directly on the countertop.

While most cleaning products are safe to use on quartz, it is best to stick with gentle and non-abrasive cleaners. Harsh, abrasive cleansers and scouring pads can permanently harm your countertops. It is also best to avoid using oven cleaners, grill cleaners or other products that contain pumice or other abrasive agents.

A safe kitchen degreaser can also be an effective way to deal with oily spills on your quartz counters, but make sure the product does not contain bleach. Bleach can discolor your counters and leave a streaky finish behind.

Quartz will tolerate casual exposure to alkaline substances, such as diluted bleach, but high-pH cleaners should be avoided. Products that contain pumice, silver cleaners and furniture polish may damage your quartz counters. It is also recommended to avoid any cleaners containing acidic substances as they can etch or discolor the countertop.

It is also important to keep quartz out of direct sunlight, as UV rays can cause the material to yellow over time. If you do need to bring a quartz-safe cleaning solution in contact with these chemicals, rinse the affected area immediately with plenty of water.