How to Buff Quartz Countertops

A wide expanse of gleaming quartz is gorgeous in nearly any style of kitchen or bathroom. It makes for a durable cooking or primping surface that can handle heat, oily spills and even stand up to dyes in foods and beauty products.

Cleaning quartz is generally an easy task, considering it is stain-resistant and can handle a lot of heavy action in a kitchen or bathroom. Buffing a dirty quartz counter can return a dingy surface to its original pristine condition.

Quartz is often chosen for its durability and easy maintenance requirements. The engineered stone has a wide range of colors compared to its natural stone counterparts such as granite or marble. The durable material can handle spills that commonly happen in a kitchen, such as wine, tomato sauce, oils, acidic citric juices and natural food dyes.

The nonporous surface is rather easy to clean, making it easy to prevent bacteria or viruses from contaminating the surface. These can attach to stone or unprotected countertop materials and cause stains and health issues. Quartz still needs regular cleaning in order to keep the surface free from bacteria from meats and vegetables that are stored, cut or handled on the countertop.

The main con of quartz is that it can be on the high-end of countertop choices. It isn't as heat resistant as concrete, granite or crushed glass countertops. Use trivets and soft cloths to handle hot pots or heavy pans to ensure the quartz doesn't become damaged.

Cleaning quartz countertops doesn't take much effort, particularly if it is done on a regular basis. While the quartz doesn't require daily cleaning, it's not a bad idea if you want to keep the high-end material in good shape over an extended period of time.

Quartz experts recommend cleaning the stone daily with a soft cloth dipped in warm sudsy water. Regular cleaning prevents the need for more aggressive methods to buff granite back to its typical high shine. Remove stuck on gum, toothpaste or hardened food with a putty knife by gently pushing the blade under the goop and lifting in small motions.

Consumers choose quartz countertops because they are so stain-resistant. However, if a tea bag is left to soak into the material or a fabric dye has found its way onto the surface and has left a shadow behind, then a good quartz polish cleaner can be used to treat the stain.

Countertop Specialty recommends rubbing Bar Keepers Friend into the area or spraying glass cleaner onto the affected spot and scrubbing with a nonabrasive nylon sponge.

It's rather hard to chip or damage a professionally installed quartz countertop. However, if a rough patch, chip or other flaw appears in the otherwise smooth surface, the quartz can handle a little rough treatment to repair it.

If a rough spot is on a quartz countertop, then use a 200-grit sandpaper in a hand sander and buff the area until it is smooth. Be careful not to grind too hard or fast. This can cause a dip in the rough patch and affect the aesthetic of the high-end material.