How Do You Clean Quartz Countertops with Vinegar?
They are known for their beauty and durability, which is why they have become a common choice among countless homeowners in modern kitchens. Keeping quartz as good as new is a bit meticulous and mostly, it comes down to cleaning. One question that comes up a lot for homeowners looking to clean their quartz is about vinegar, which is not only one of the most popular natural cleaners available but also highly effective at cleaning all sorts of surfaces. We will go through the benefits of using vinegar on quartz countertops and alternative ways of cleaning that leave no damage to your beautiful kitchen material.
Disadvantages of Using Vinegar on Quartz
Vinegar is Very Acidic It has a low pH of 2-3 on average. Quartz Countertops, engineered to give you a durable surface composed of natural quartz (crystals) which makes up about 90% of the countertop and polymer resins that account for roughly 10%. Over time, the vinegar may erode some polymer resins that bond surface itself.
Vinegar Can Break Down The first risk in using vinegar to clean quartz counters is that it can break down. It wont chip and fall apart, but the acid in vinegar may begin to eat away at its surface – slowly of course, never so much will happen after a year or less. Furthermore, use over time can cause additional damage such as etching that scars the texture for a lifetime. It is not only aesthetically unpleasing but can lower the overall countertop ability to resist stains and bacteria which goes against one of the main components that make up Quartz.
How to Clean Quartz Countertops
The most safe and highly advised way of cleaning your quartz countertops is to use a detergent or soap combined water. An abrasive solution is not needed for everyday cleaning, which means it does not threaten the integrity of your quartz surface. Apply the solution with a soft cloth or sponge and then wipe off your counters to keep them renewed.
Specialized Quartz cleaners If you have harder to clean stains, or for a deep clean every so often, use a cleaner made for quartz countertops. These products are engineered to work efficiently but will not cause damage to the quartz resin binders. Observe the manufacturer directions when using other commercial cleaners.
Isopropyl Alcohol Cleaning As far as disinfecting quartz countertops, a 70% Isopropyl alcohol cleaning solution is safe to use. Combine alcohol with water and some dish soap so that you make a perfect cleaner, but also disinfects. The mixture will not damage your surface, and dries fast disinfecting your counter tops.
Quartz Care Prevention
Quick Spills Occurring immediately, clean up spills quickly to prevent stains and other spill related damage especially acidic substances such as coffee, wine or lemon juice. Most stains will come up pretty easily if you clean them up really quickly and the better part is you may never have to do any tough cleaning if they are cleaned when fresh.
15) Use Cutting boards and trivets Prevent scratching or damaging the surface, while you chop or slice on a chopping board and place hot pads/pans/, pots/trivets on top to prevent heat damage in your quartz countertops. Although quartz will resist some scratches and heat, it is a good idea to prevent any type of damage so that you can enjoy their life longer.
In Conclusion, even though vinegar that is often used as an alternative cleaning agent to many surfaces but it will not be suitable for quartz countertops due to its acidic properties which can lead to loss of resin binders. Stick with mild, non-abrasive cleaners to keep your quartz looking new and add only a small amount of soap when you do clean it. For a little more guidance on caring for your quartz, Learn why can I use vinegar to clean quartz countertops here may be best answered with another question; and a methodical recipe of the various ways prompting to consider other safer methods.