Quartz is one of today’s most beautiful countertop surfaces. Homeowners love it for its durability, antibacterial qualities, and of course, its timeless beauty. But how do you keep quartz countertops looking beautiful and new for years to come? Since quartz countertops from Granite and TREND Transformations are virtually maintenance-free, caring for them may be easier than you think.

This month, Granite and TREND Transformations is sharing some helpful tips and dos and don’ts for keeping your quartz countertops clean and looking their best.

General cleaning

How many times a day do you clean your countertops? With today’s kitchens experiencing more traffic than ever before, you may find yourself cleaning them more often. Quartz countertops make this part of your day a snap. We’ve put together some easy-to-follow dos and don’ts to help you care for your quartz countertops and keep them clean:

Dos

• Wipe down with a damp,      soapy cloth or paper towel.

• Use Windex® without Ammonia (Crystal      Rain™), Formula 409®, or any natural      surface cleaner in addition to the soap and water solution, if desired.

Don’ts

• No strong chemical      cleaners.

• No ammonia-based      products.

• No floor strippers or      oven cleaners.

• No steel wool pads.

Spills

Spills happen. Luckily, quartz is nonporous, which means it resists mold, mildew, and bacteria. It also resists stains from many products such as wine, oil, coffee, tea, soda, fruit juice, and even makeup. All quartz needs is a quick wipe with soap and water, and you’re done! Here are some recommendations on how to care for spills on quartz countertops:

Dos

Simple spills

• Simply blot the spill      with a clean cloth and your countertop will look as good as new.

Stubborn dried-on spills

• Use OxiClean®—mixed into a paste—and apply      gently with a soft plastic pad.

• Clean Magic Eraser®.

• Mix baking soda into a      paste with warm water and apply to the stain. Do      not leave on for more than five minutes.

• Countertop polishers      and quick cleaning polishers like Gel-Glos®, Magic® Countertop Cleaner, or Rock      Doctor Granite Polish will bring out the luster in your quartz without      leaving a streaky residue.

Don’ts

Never use:

• Steel wool products or      scourers.

• Abrasive cleaners.

• Lemon cleaners.

Hot Pots and Pans

The beautiful line of etherium® By E-Stone surfaces from Granite and TREND Transformations is heat-resistant; however, special care should be taken when handling hot pots and pans to avoid any significant damage.

Dos

• Allow pots and pans to      cool before placing on a surface. (Cast iron may take longer to cool.)

• Keep in mind that      brief contact with hot pans and pans won’t create problems.

• Use trivets or hot      protection pads.

Don’ts

• Avoid placing cookware      taken from the oven or burner directly on the surface.

• Avoid exposure to open      flames.

• Avoid leaving hot fat      or oil spills on the surface. Clean immediately.

General Maintenance of Quartz Countertops

Although quartz is one of the easiest surfaces to care for, there are some general rules to keep in mind.

• Abrasive cleansers and      scouring pads can dull quartz surfaces.

• Highly acidic      products—such as lemon cleaners or highly alkaline cleaners (e.g., oven      cleaners and concentrated bleach)—can disintegrate the bonds between the      quartz and resin.

• Although quartz is      heat-resistant—up to 300 degrees Fahrenheit—prolonged exposure to heat can      cause it to crack.

• Although you can cut      directly on the countertop, use cutting boards whenever possible.

• Quartz is not meant      for outdoor use. Direct sunlight and weather can cause colors to fade, and      the surface risks warping or splitting.