How to clean quartzite countertops and keep them sealed

Step by step: how to clean quartzite countertops and keep them sealed

Safety first. Most impregnating sealers contain solvents: ventilate the kitchen, wear gloves and keep the counter clear until the sealer cures as the label says. Do not mix bleach with ammonia or vinegar when cleaning nearby surfaces.

1. 1

   Find out if your slab is true quartzite

   Ask your fabricator for a scrap, or pick a hidden spot such as inside the sink cutout. Leave a few drops of lemon juice or vinegar on it for a few minutes, wipe, and look at it at an angle. A dull mark means the stone etches and needs marble-style care.

2. 2

   Wipe up spills right away

   Blot spills with a paper towel instead of wiping, which spreads them. Oil, red wine, coffee and tomato are the most likely to stain if they sit, especially near the sink and stove.

3. 3

   Clean daily with a pH-neutral cleaner

   Spray a stone cleaner labeled pH neutral, or wipe with warm water and one drop of mild dish soap per quart. Use a soft microfiber cloth and work from the back of the counter forward.

4. 4

   Rinse and buff dry

   Wipe again with a cloth dampened in plain water, then buff dry. Drying prevents water rings around the faucet and stops soap from building up into a dull film.

5. 5

   Lift stains with a poultice

   For an oil stain, spread a peanut-butter-thick paste of baking soda and water over it; for coffee or wine on light stone, use baking soda and 3% hydrogen peroxide. Cover with plastic wrap, tape the edges, leave it 24 hours, then scrape off and rinse.

6. 6

   Test the sealer with water

   Every six months, put a few drops of water on busy areas and wait 10 to 15 minutes. If the water beads, the sealer is working. If the stone darkens or absorbs it, plan to reseal.

7. 7

   Reseal with a penetrating sealer

   Clean the counter and let it dry completely, ideally for a day. Apply an impregnating sealer as the label directs, usually letting it soak in for 5 to 15 minutes, then buff off every bit of excess before it dries.

Is your countertop true quartzite or “soft quartzite”?

Find out before you choose cleaners. True quartzite is harder than glass and does not etch from kitchen acids, but some slabs sold as quartzite are actually marble or dolomite, which etch and scratch more easily.

The Natural Stone Institute’s quartzite guide says there is no such thing as soft quartzite, and gives two home tests: true quartzite scratches glass easily, and shows no etching from lemon juice or vinegar. Marble shows obvious etching, and dolomitic marble shows subtler etching.

What not to use on quartzite

Skip vinegar, lemon, bleach, ammonia and abrasive scrubbers for routine cleaning. MSI’s quartzite care advice lists all of these, noting that vinegar eats away at sealers over time even on stone that does not etch.

• Acidic sprays and citrus cleaners: degrade sealer and etch mislabeled stone.
• Bleach and ammonia: harsh on sealers.
• Scouring pads: the Natural Stone Institute warns that scrubbing pads act like abrasives on stone, especially with pressure.
• Topical coatings or waxes: they peel and haze. Use a penetrating sealer instead.

How often should quartzite be sealed?

As often as the water test says, which ranges from every six months to several years. Quartzite varies widely in porosity: dense types barely absorb, while more porous ones soak up oil and water quickly.

The Natural Stone Institute says porous varieties such as White Macaubas benefit from sealing, that modern sealers last from one to ten years, and that the first sign is stone darkening around the sink. MSI suggests checking every 6 to 12 months and touching up the sink area more often. Use trivets and cooling racks for hot pans, which protects the sealer.

Not sure whether you have quartzite or engineered quartz? Quartz never needs sealing; see how to clean quartz countertops.

Mistakes to avoid

• Assuming “quartzite” on the invoice means the stone cannot etch, and cleaning it with vinegar.
• Letting olive oil or wine sit overnight near the stove or sink, where the sealer wears fastest.
• Leaving sealer to dry on the surface instead of buffing off the excess, which leaves a sticky haze.
• Using a scouring pad on a dull spot, which scratches the polish.
• Never testing the sealer, so the first sign of trouble is a permanent stain.