Quartz is one of the most durable kitchen countertop materials out there. However, there are certain habits and things that you need to avoid doing because those can damage your precious countertops. So, let’s know what you need to avoid to keep your quartz countertops looking clean and beautiful.

Bashing Things On The Surface

We’ve all been there. Whether it’s tenderizing meat on the countertops or using heavy things to break the shells of nuts, most don’t even realize that they’re doing this on the countertops. While quartz countertops are pretty strong, it doesn’t mean that you can go around taking your aggression out on the surfaces. Once or twice is fine, but over time this can lead to cracks and chips on the surface and if the crack gets bigger, then it will be a nightmare to repair.

So, if you can, try to avoid smashing things on quartz countertops because you might just ruin your perfectly good countertops, which costed you a small fortune to install. Smash things on the floor after keeping a wood plank on it instead because that will not only get the job done, but your countertops stay safe from the damage.

Putting Weight On The Countertops

You might be guilty of doing this as well. When it’s hard to reach for things, you can sometimes use countertops as a stand to reach a cabinet or something that’s out of reach. Quartz countertops can get impact damage if you stand on top of them for too long. Quartz may look like a super durable material, but it can still get damaged if you put a lot of weight on one point of the surface.

Putting heavy groceries on the countertops can also lead to damage. So, what to do? Well, you need to be careful when putting a lot of weight on the countertops. If you want to grab something that you can’t reach, then use a stool instead of your countertops. Similarly, if you have to put something heavy on the quartz surface, make sure its weight is distributed. You will thank yourself for taking care of your quartz countertops in the future.

Using Abrasive Cleaners

Abrasive cleaners include things like scrubbing pads, hard sponges, and things like metal scrapers, sandpapers, and pointy needles. These things are used a lot to get rid of dried-up food crumbs and debris present on the countertops, but you might want to think twice before using them. Why? Because it will lead to scratches and deep slashes on the surface of the countertops.

Quartz can easily be cleaned with a microfiber cloth and a toothbrush to get rid of the dried and clumped-up food and that’s pretty much it. You don’t need to use these harsh things.

Throwing Things

Heavy pots and pans may look harmless, but they’re anything but, if you’re throwing them from a height. A lot of the time, you don’t realize that you’re using a lot of force to settle the pots and pans on the countertops. This is not a good thing because similar to smashing, quartz countertops can also get damaged and chipped by setting heavy pots down with a lot of force.

Try to gently put the pots on the countertops and make sure that you’re using trivets to create a barrier between the countertops and the heavy-bottomed pot.

Letting Spills Sit

Even though quartz doesn’t stain like most natural stone countertop materials, it’s still better if you don’t let spills sit on the surface for too long. This is because quartz is generally light in color and any spill, whether it’s food or liquid, will show up very prominently on the surface.

So, whenever you see a spill, clean it up right away because the longer the spill sits, the deeper the stain will be and the harder it will be to remove. Not to mention, not cleaning spills just makes the countertops look super dirty and you don’t want that.

High Temperature Equals Disaster

Quartz is not as heat resistant as natural stones and that’s a fact. Some people believe that quartz is a really good insulator of heat and that high temperature doesn’t affect the material, but they couldn’t be more wrong.

High temperatures can lead to heat stains that are dark, permanent, and downright ugly. They can ruin perfect countertops in no time and this is why you need to ensure that you’re not putting piping hot things directly on the countertop surface because things will take a turn for the worst. Use cutting boards or trivets to handle all of the hot stuff.

Not Using A Cutting Board

Sometimes, you might mindlessly use sharp knives directly on the surface of quartz countertops. While once or twice doesn’t matter much, you don’t want to make it a habit. Not only is it unsanitary, but it can also cause scratches over time.

If you want your countertops to look perfect and beautiful, then you need to use a cutting board when cutting anything. The cutting board will take the scratches leaving your quartz countertops beautiful. They will also help you keep your countertops stain-free.

Also, cutting boards are great to use if you want to cut or put very hot things on the countertops for cutting them.

Habitual Use Of Harsh Chemicals

Harsh chemicals like bleach, acidic cleaners, and ammonia-based cleaners are a big no when it comes to cleaning quartz countertops. You don’t need these harsh cleaners, especially when you have the good ole lukewarm water and soap solution. If there is a stain that you want to treat or if you want to disinfect the countertops, then you can use a mixture of water and rubbing alcohol and that’s pretty much all there is to it. Using chemicals will only ruin the countertops in the long run.

Not Cleaning The Countertops

If you’re cleaning your countertops every single day, then they will look spotless and shiny at all times. However, not all people follow this simple thing. Since quartz is usually light in color, it’s best that you don’t forget about this crucial step.

Countertops are the most used surfaces in the entire kitchen, so you want to ensure that you’re cleaning them regularly as soon as you’re done for the day. You’ll not only see that the countertops look and feel more clean, but you won’t end up needing those specialty cleaners that cost a lot. So, keep things simple and you’ll be good to go.

Excessive Sunlight Exposure

This might surprise you but, quartz is sensitive to sunlight. Quartz isn’t a material that has natural UV protection, so it can fade and discolor under excessive exposure to sunlight. This is why quartz countertops are not recommended for outdoor kitchens. You might notice your countertops looking marginally faded if they’re somewhere near the window or in direct sunlight in the kitchen.

What you can do is apply a UV protective sealant to prevent further damage to the countertops. And if you haven’t installed the countertop yet, make sure the area of the kitchen where you will install them doesn’t receive direct sunlight.

Conclusion

Even though quartz countertops are strong and durable, it still doesn’t mean that you need to test the limit. Handle them with care and they will last forever. If your countertop is damaged and you want to repair it or require a replacement, get in touch with quartz countertop contractors Rockville.