Countertop Care & Maintenance Guide

Your new countertop is designed to provide years of beauty and performance with proper care. Cleaning and maintenance requirements vary depending on the material, so please follow the recommendations below and, when applicable, the specific manufacturer’s care instructions.

Quartz Countertops

Quartz is durable, stain resistant, and relatively low maintenance. However, it is not indestructible and should be protected from excessive heat, impact, and harsh chemicals.

Daily Cleaning

  • Clean regularly with warm water and a mild dish soap or manufacturer-approved pH-neutral cleaner.
  • Use a soft cloth, microfiber cloth, or non-abrasive sponge.
  • Wipe spills promptly, particularly oils, sauces, and strongly coloured substances.
  • Dry the surface after cleaning when possible to minimize water spots.

Heat Protection

  • Quartz is heat resistant, but excessive or prolonged heat can damage the resin and may cause discoloration, cracking, or other damage.
  • Always use a trivet or hot pad under hot pots, pans, baking dishes, air fryers, slow cookers, and other heat-producing appliances.
  • Do not place hot items directly over or beside seams or inside corners. Heat can concentrate in these areas and increase the risk of damage.
  • Do not place items directly from the oven or stovetop onto the countertop.

Scratches and Impact

  • Quartz is scratch resistant, but it is not scratch proof.
  • Always use a cutting board rather than cutting directly on the countertop.
  • Avoid dragging heavy or abrasive objects across the surface.
  • Avoid dropping heavy objects, particularly near sink and cooktop cutouts, edges, seams, inside corners, and other vulnerable areas.

Cleaning Products

  • Use manufacturer-approved cleaning products whenever possible.
  • Avoid abrasive powders, scouring pads, and aggressive scrubbing.
  • Do not use harsh chemicals unless specifically approved by the manufacturer.

Seams

  • Seams can accumulate food particles and residue over time.
  • Clean seams regularly with a soft cloth and mild cleaner.
  • Do not use sharp objects or abrasive tools to clean or pick at a seam.
  • Keep hot pots, pans, baking dishes, air fryers, slow cookers, and other heat-producing appliances away from seams and inside corners. Always place them on a trivet or heat pad in a different area of the countertop.

Porcelain / Sintered Stone

Porcelain and sintered surfaces are highly durable, heat resistant, scratch resistant, and generally non-porous. They require very little maintenance.

Daily Cleaning

  • Use warm water with mild dish soap or a manufacturer-approved cleaner.
  • A soft cloth, microfiber cloth, or non-abrasive sponge is recommended.
  • Wipe spills promptly and dry the surface when possible to prevent water spots or mineral deposits.

Heat Protection

  • Porcelain and sintered surfaces have excellent heat resistance, but the safest practice is still to use trivets or heat pads.
  • Use trivets under hot pots, pans, baking dishes, air fryers, slow cookers, and other heat-producing appliances.
  • Do not place hot items directly over or beside seams or inside corners. Avoid exposing these areas to concentrated or prolonged heat.
  • Avoid sudden extreme temperature changes where possible.

Scratches and Impact

  • Although porcelain and sintered surfaces are highly scratch resistant, edges, corners, and cutouts can still be damaged by heavy impact.
  • Use cutting boards.
  • Avoid dropping heavy objects onto the countertop.
  • Take extra care around seams, inside corners, sink and cooktop cutouts, and countertop edges.

Cleaning Products

  • Mild soap and water is normally sufficient for everyday cleaning.
  • Manufacturer-approved cleaners may be used for more difficult stains.
  • Diluted white vinegar may be suitable for some porcelain products. Follow the specific manufacturer’s recommendations.
  • Avoid abrasive cleaners or aggressive scrubbing unless specifically approved by the manufacturer.

Resealing

  • Porcelain and sintered countertops generally do not require sealing or resealing.
  • If a specific product has been treated with a protective coating or sealer, follow the slab manufacturer’s maintenance instructions.

Natural Stone

Natural stone requires care that varies depending on the specific material. Marble, limestone, granite, quartzite, and other natural stones can have significantly different properties.

Daily Cleaning

  • Use warm water with mild dish soap or a manufacturer-approved natural stone cleaner.
  • Use a soft cloth or non-abrasive sponge.
  • Wipe spills promptly, particularly coffee, wine, citrus, vinegar, oils, and other potentially staining substances.

Acids and Etching

  • Some natural stones, particularly marble and other calcium-based stones, can be damaged by acidic substances.
  • Do not use vinegar, lemon juice, or acidic cleaners on acid-sensitive natural stone.
  • Acidic substances can cause etching, which is a chemical reaction that can leave a dull or lightened area on the stone.

Heat Protection

  • Use trivets or heat pads under hot cookware and appliances.
  • Keep hot pots, pans, baking dishes, air fryers, slow cookers, and other heat-producing appliances away from seams and inside corners.
  • Do not place hot items directly over or beside seams. Use a trivet or heat pad in a different area of the countertop.

Scratches and Impact

  • Use cutting boards rather than cutting directly on the countertop.
  • Avoid dragging heavy or abrasive objects across the surface.
  • Take care around edges, seams, inside corners, sink cutouts, and cooktop cutouts.

Sealing

  • Many natural stones benefit from a penetrating sealer, but sealing requirements vary by stone and product.
  • Follow the stone and sealer manufacturer’s recommendations.
  • Resealing should be performed when required rather than automatically on a fixed schedule.
  • Sealing helps improve stain resistance but does not make natural stone completely stain proof.

Stains and Damage

  • Do not use a homemade poultice or aggressive cleaning method without first identifying the stone and type of stain.
  • For persistent stains, etching, scratches, or other damage, professional stone restoration may be required.

General Recommendations

Regardless of countertop material:

  • Use cutting boards.
  • Use trivets or hot pads.
  • Keep hot cookware, air fryers, slow cookers, and other heat-producing appliances away from seams and inside corners.
  • Clean spills promptly.
  • Use soft, non-abrasive cleaning materials.
  • Avoid heavy impacts and dropping objects on the surface.
  • Follow the manufacturer’s care instructions for your specific material.
  • Countertops are durable, but no countertop material is completely immune to staining, scratching, cracking, chipping, heat damage, or chemical damage.
Important: Product specifications and approved cleaning methods can vary between manufacturers, finishes, and materials. When there is a conflict between this guide and the manufacturer’s care instructions, the manufacturer’s instructions should be followed.

For questions regarding the care of your countertop, please contact QuartzCo.

To test if your countertop is properly sealed or needs resealing, place a drop of water near the sink. If the area darkens, your countertop needs another coat of sealer. If the water beads, your countertop is good to enjoy for another 6 months.

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