Quartz countertops get cleaned differently than natural stone, and that trips people up when they’ve had granite or marble before. Quartz is engineered — crushed stone bound with resin — which makes it non-porous. That one property changes almost everything about day-to-day care.
No Sealing, No Guessing
Natural stone needs periodic sealing because it’s porous and can absorb spills. Quartz doesn’t — it never needs sealing, and there’s no test to run or schedule to track. For daily cleaning, warm water and a mild dish soap on a soft cloth is enough for most spills and everyday grime.
What Actually Damages Quartz
The resin binder in quartz is the part that needs protecting, not the stone itself. A few things to avoid:
- Direct heat — a hot pan straight off the stove can discolour or crack the resin. Use a trivet, even though the surface feels heat-resistant.
- Harsh chemicals — bleach, oven cleaner, and anything with a high or low pH can dull the finish or affect the resin over time. Stick to mild soap or a cleaner made for engineered stone.
- Abrasive pads — steel wool and abrasive scouring pads can scratch the polished surface. A soft cloth or non-abrasive sponge is enough for anything that isn’t caked on.
- Prolonged direct sunlight — some quartz colours can fade with years of intense UV exposure, which is why it’s generally recommended for indoor use rather than outdoor kitchens.
Dealing With Stains and Residue
Because quartz is non-porous, most stains sit on the surface rather than soaking in, which makes them easier to remove than a natural stone stain. For dried spills or hard water marks, a plastic putty knife (never metal) can lift residue without scratching the surface, followed by a normal soap-and-water wipe-down.
When It’s Time for More Than Cleaning
Cleaning won’t fix a chip, crack, or a seam that’s opened up over time — that’s a repair question, not a maintenance one. If your quartz countertop has physical damage rather than a cleaning problem, or you’re planning a new installation and want to know what upkeep to expect, reach out and we can take a look.