How To Clean Your Quartz Worktop
Bringing an unmatched level of class and beauty to your household, quartz is quickly becoming the worktop material of choice for homeowners across the UK. Proper maintenance of your kitchen environment can give the room the sparkle it deserves, raising the eyebrows of your in-laws when they visit – guaranteed.
But just how exactly do you properly clean and maintain quartz worktops? Today, we’ll be taking a look at the do’s and don’ts of quartz maintenance, putting you well on your way to impress the next lucky group visiting your cosy kitchen space.
What Makes Quartz Worktops Special?
For those who have quartz worktops installed, you will already be aware of some of the fantastic benefits this material brings. Quartz, the second most abundant mineral in the Earth’s crust, is a hard-wearing material, does not require any form of sealant maintenance (unlike granite) and provides consistency in its appearance.
What’s more, with the kitchen often being the hub of activity for the household, quartz is a scratch-resistant material, meaning you don’t have to worry about throwing the keys on the side when you come home after a long day of work.
Lastly, quartz is a material that is very easy to maintain. That being said, there are a few points to keep in mind when cleaning quartz worktops to keep them looking their best. Let’s get into them now.
Cleaning Quartz Worktops:
Our top 3 tips to keep your quartz surfaces clean:
- Use soapy water
We recommend regularly cleaning your quartz surfaces to keep them looking their best. This can be achieved by using either soapy water or a neutral mild detergent. Following this, rinse the surface with clean water before polishing dry with a soft cloth.
- Avoid excess heat or stains
Certain food items such as berries and beetroot, as well as dyes and paints, can leave marks on your quartz worktops. What’s more, acidic foods, drinks and chemicals can lead to permanent damage if spilt on your worktops.
When it comes to heat, avoid placing hot pans and kitchenware directly on your stone surfaces. Instead, make use of trivets and stands to protect your worktops.
- Never use bleach
Harsh chemicals such as bleach should not be used on your stone worktops – these can damage and discolour these types of surfaces. In the event these chemicals come into contact with your worktops, wash them off immediately to minimise any damage.
How Do You Get the Shine Back in Quartz Worktops?
As with regular cleaning, the first tip to keep in mind is consistency. With the hubbub of daily activity taking place in the kitchen, it can be easy to overlook crumbs, spilt food and dust that accumulates on your worktops. Over time, this can dull the appearance of your kitchen, turning an otherwise stunning worktop into a bit of a mess.
We recommend cleaning your worktops daily in order to keep them looking fantastic. Not only will this extra effort pay back in dividends the next time family friends make an unexpected visit, but you’ll have peace of mind knowing you have a clean and safe kitchen environment to enjoy.
Here are 3 steps to keep in mind when performing your regular worktop clean:
- Don’t overcomplicate it
It can be tempting to go online and buy a dozen cleaning products, each touted to bring back the shine to your quartz worktops. At the end of the day, this will only add unnecessary clutter to an environment you are trying to keep clean and clutter-free. Refer to the following steps and keep things simple, that way your cleaning routine won’t be a burden!
- Choosing the right cleaning product
That being said, you’ll still need a product with which to clean your kitchen worktops. You should not use any strong chemical products when performing a clean. These harsh chemicals can strip away the protective sealant applied to the material, undermining its ability to protect your worktop from staining and scratches.
Many people use warm water to get the job done, however if you are concerned about bacteria build-up, we recommend a dedicated anti-bacterial quartz worktop cleaner.
- Have the right cloth for the job
This is often overlooked, but it’s always worth considering the cloth you are using to clean. Grab yourself a non-abrasive microfiber cloth to prevent damaging the worktop’s protective coating. A great tip is to use one wet cloth to clean the surface, and then a dry one to finish.
What Should You Not Use on Quartz Worktops?
To keep your quartz worktops in their best condition, it’s advisable to prevent the following items and liquids from coming into contact with them:
- Hot pans and utensils
Whether it’s a baking tray straight out of the oven or a pan full of boiling water, hot items can potentially damage worktops if they are placed there. We recommend purchasing a trivet as an inexpensive solution to prevent heat damage.
- Oil
If you’re cooking with oils, try to prevent oil from coming into contact with the worktop – this can dull its appearance with unsightly smears. If oil does land on the worktops, remove it with a wet cloth as soon as possible.
How to Remove Limescale from Quartz Worktops
With water often coming into frequent contact with your worktops, over time this can lead to limescale build-up that quickly becomes visible. While regular cleaning should remove these deposits of limescale, a different solution may be required for larger build-ups.
We recommend first using a blunt instrument (think plastic spatula or wooden spoon) to remove as much of the limescale as possible. Under no circumstance should you use a sharp utensil, as doing so may damage the surface of your worktop.
Following this, you can also use a mixture of vinegar and water to remove the remaining stubborn limescale from the area. With this complete, a final wipe down with a microfiber cloth will have your worktop shining once again.
Can You Use Bleach on Quartz Worktops?
Harsh chemicals, such as bleach, should be avoided if you wish to keep your worktops looking their best. Bleach can stain worktops and leave behind a nasty discolouration. We recommend sticking to cleaning products specifically designed for quartz worktops to get the job done.
Can You Use Zoflora on Quartz Worktops?
Zoflora can be used as an effective way to disinfect your quartz worktops and keep them looking their best. We do, however, recommend following the manufacturer’s instructions when doing so, as under-diluting the cleaning solution may lead to unsightly smears.
Wrapping Up:
To keep your quartz worktops looking their best, a regular cleaning routine is the secret to success. This doesn’t have to be a laborious process, but with the tips we’ve mentioned above, it can instead be fulfilling and rewarding. Keeping this in mind, you’ll be well on your way to making a fantastic impression when you next entertain guests.
Are you interested in learning more about quartz worktops and the benefits they can offer? Check out our selection of quality quartz worktops here.