Home maintenance can be daunting. Filters need to be replaced regularly in the furnace, water filtration system, humidifier and other areas. Moving parts on garage doors should be lubricated several times a year. Gutters need to be cleared of accumulated debris.
There is a tendency to keep up with maintenance on the more expensive items in the home.
Countertops often get overlooked, even though they are often a considerable investment and are not easily replaced.
Routine maintenance recommendations depend on the type of countertop material. In this post we will discuss how to care for one of the most common countertop materials – quartz.
Why Quartz is Easy to Care For
Quartz countertops are relatively easy to maintain. Quartz countertops are an engineered – or man-made – product. Stone countertop products like quartzite, granite, marble and soapstone are porous, which means that they can absorb water, stains and bacteria. Quartz is mixed with silicon dioxide, coloring and bonding resins that become very tight during the fabrication process, forming a natural seal.1
So, they don’t require sealing and resealing like granite or marble do but they do require frequent cleaning with the right products to keep them looking good.
Mild Products are All Quartz Needs
Daily wiping with mild, non-abrasive soap and water, using a soft cloth, such as a microfiber cloth, is the recommended cleaning regime for quartz countertops. As with all countertop materials, water and other spills should be wiped up immediately. Water sitting on the countertop can lead to staining from the minerals in the water. To avoid streaks, wipe the counter dry after every cleaning.2
What to Avoid with Quartz
Abrasive pads and cleansers like Comet and Ajax can scratch quartz surfaces, as can knife marks, so it is recommended that a cutting board be used. Any product containing bleach, such as disinfecting wipes, should not be used on quartz countertops.3
Quartz Needs Heat Protection
Hot objects should never be placed directly on a quartz countertop surface. The heat from pots, pans, utensils, cigarettes and other objects can mark quartz. It may be possible to remove these heat marks, but it depends on how quickly the situation is addressed and the amount of initial damage to the countertop.4 Acting quickly is essential as cooling the spot within the first minute can prevent further damage.
Addressing a Heat Mark on Quartz
Place a clean, soft cloth, with cool (not ice-cold) water on the discoloration. You can also apply a cold compress or a bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a thin towel to the spot, leaving the cold cloth in place for 5 to 10 minutes.5 You can crack the countertop if you use ice or ice water. Once the spot has cooled, apply a paste of three parts baking soda and 1 part water with a soft cloth.6
Lightly rub the paste over the burn mark for 60-90 seconds, then wipe and rinse with clean water. Let the area dry completely. If the mark is still there, repeat the process two to three times. You can also add a few drops of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide to the baking soda paste to make it more abrasive, but still safe.
Time to Call a Countertop Professional
The resin that binds quartz countertop materials gets soft and vulnerable when heated so all abrasives (cloths, powders, tool, etc.) should be avoided. If the discoloration isn’t removed with baking soda contact a countertop professional.
Wisconsin Granite Design in Oak Creek is a countertop installation and fabrication company that has been remodeling kitchens and bathrooms with beautiful stone countertops for more than a decade. Our countertop showroom features hundreds of granite, quartz, and marble options to complement a wide range of styles, budgets, and designs.
Visit our Oak Creek countertop store and speak with a designer today!
In future blog posts we will discuss how to care for quartzite, granite, marble, and other materials.
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1 Sealing Quartz Countertops: Is It Necessary? By Jon Smith, 5/21/2026
Link: https://countertopadvisor.com/sealing-quartz-countertops/
2, 3 Don’t Ruin Your Quartz Countertops – 3 Things You Should Never Do by Barbara Bellesi Zito, 4/11/2026
Link: https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-care-for-quartz-countertops-8712327
4, 5, 6 How to Remove Burn Marks from Quartz Countertops, 3/26/2026
Link: https://kitchenandhouseware.com/how-to-remove-burn-marks-from-quartz-countertops/