I have a problem with hard water stains on my quartz countertop in my bathroom (in spite of trying to dry off every time) and the list of "safe" cleaning products for quartz seems quite limited. I have very busy granite in my kitchen, but have been happy with it for a number of years. I wouldn't use quartz in the kitchen.

It has been easy to care for and looks perfect. I wanted a light counter. I clean with water and a cloth mostly. Zero marks or stains. I cook every day, neither sloppy nor precious.

I have very light quartz counters in my kitchen and in all bathrooms. I have zero stains or issues with any of them. No chips too. Love it all

I also have quartz in kitchen & a bathroom easy care no chips stains etc

I have only had mine for a few months, but seems super easy maintenance so far. I have read many posts that honed quartz is more work to maintain.

My countertop research resulted in similar issues as you. Eventually, I found a hard variety of soapstone, Beleza, and am thrilled with it. You might also consider a large inset crossgrain cutting block in some area. Wood is a great soft surface for things you don't want to clank down on a stone surface.

I'm also in the same position. I do not want to worry about a solid countertop. I know how I cook and will put hot pans on it, I will spill things. I like to bake and don't want to worry about fruit stains, etc.

I've had a granite table for over 20 yrs. I used it for so many things other than eating. I still have it as I moved it with us because it is great for rolling dough, thinning cutlets without worrying about slamming meat with a mallet, stains... so many things I know I'll do. This table has not one chip, stain or anything else. It is a dark color, brown speckled. I would like light countertops but do not want to take a chance with Quartz.

My daughter has a large kitchen and has black granite. She is a fantastic cook and never worries about it at all. She also has granite in all her bathrooms (5) and never worried about stains especially raising kids and hard water.

I have no idea what to do regarding my remodel at this point. I do not want to worry about hot pots, baking pans, etc. I certainly don't want to worry about coffee, tea, wine, fruit stains.

Jane

I should have clarified. I have three kids and still wine, coffee, whatever the heck my kids spill and destroy all over my light quartz all the time and zero issues. We also put pans on counter often

had my quartz 3 years Viatra Clarino its light color with brown gray veins a warm white vs a marble white. We are rural folks with farm and my dh and sons work on cars tractors. The countertop gets real abuse greasy car parts, nuts, bolts tools. The kitchen gets treated like a barn or mechanic shop. There have been chemical spilled on it and yes hot pots. Its not treated very well. It has no scratches, chips or crack so far. I really love it. also we are on well water unfiltered artisan spring. Its tested regular still pure but a bit higher ph and the occasional sediment. I havent had any staining issues

WestCoast Hopeful - and others, what do you use to clean your tops?

I have had my Cambria quartz for 7 years. There are two of us adults, we cook, bake, and prepare food all the time, take no special precautions except for not putting hot pots on it. No issues what so ever, still looks like the day it was installed. To clean it I just wipe it over with the dish cloth after doing up the dishes, easy peasy!

Just this week I was at a friend's house and she has porcelain countertops and they are gorgeous. I couldn't stop touching them - a beautiful finish (I'd guess they were satin, not polished high gloss) and she had a lovely pattern that looked like marble veining. Stunning. She says it does not stain and she's had no chips. They also have it in washrooms.

I have to say it would be a product I would consider if I had to choose a countertop right now.

I found this site which discusses the pros and cons of porcelain and also Dekton and Neolith. I just read another post saying that Neolith had bad reviews. Your mileage may vary but likely worth looking at if you can - I haven't seen it in person.

I've also seen Dekton from Silestone. Also gorgeous - and just such incredible beauty and feel, texture etc.

You didn't state what colour or look you are going for, but there are some Dekton colours that mimic quartzite.

I know it isn't the same everywhere but here in Canada, you start with finding a fabricator you like and who is recommended. Then get them to set you up with stone yards if they don't have their own. Ask to see a variety of products and ask them to comment on whether some choices are preferred or not preferred (maybe some are difficult to fabricate and would cost more). Remember that it isn't just the cost of the slab but also the cost of the fabrication and installation. Think about edge options and also sink options. If there are any limitations on those things you want to know before you fall in love with a product.

Most of the time a damp microfibre cloth and every few days a Lysol multipurpose cleaner. Nothing fancy at all.

I wonder if you're confusing quartzite and quartz? I see lots of posts about problems with quartzite. Some of what is sold is fake or poor quality quartzite.

I rarely see or hear about issues with quartz. We've had Viatera for about 4 years or so. It's an off-white color. I don't recall the name. No issues. I usually just wipe down with warm soapy water and a microfiber towel. Then I dry them. I don't baby them. They've had red wine, tomato sauce etc. spilled on them and missed overnight. No stains.

I don't put hot pots on them, but I've never put pots on a countertop. Lessons learned growing up in a house with formica and lots of apartments with the same.

Method all-surface spray, or soapy water and a sponge. Near-white counters, no issues. Lots of use (although no hot pans -- no surface likes that!)...

For those that says a warm soapy cloth, that's what my stone person said. But what type of soap are you using? Your dish washing soap? Hand soap?

I use Method or Windex to clean my quartz, no problem. This is my third quartz install, and I love it. It does not stain or fade. Red wine, turmeric, nothing has bothered it. Other than the fact we never set hot pans on it, we do not baby it. We treated our old granite the same, no hot pots ever. Seen too many cases of thermal cracking in granite. But our old granite always had dark water shadows around the faucets despite careful, regular sealing. Same issue now in our master bath, which has granite. And I always felt germs were hiding in the micro-fissures. So we only use quartz now, although I am a big fan of Corian, too. Good luck.

Someone who has had a countertop of porcelain, Neolith, or Dekton for many years with no physical failures (chips on Dekton, cracks and chips on the others) is fortunate indeed. I would recommend reading as many reviews here at Houzz of those surfaces as possible before committing. It often takes more than one attempt at fabrication amd installation to get either porcelain or Neolith installed without damage just for starters.

Has anyone who who has had quartz (or marble) countertops and backsplashes installed in a smallish kitchen (12' x 12') whose floor is supported by 2 x 8 #1 grade hemlock-fir joists experienced any floor sagging or other issues ? Or been advised to "sister" those joists with adjoining joists or take other measures before beginning installation? The joists are 16" apart on center, with a 12' span and supported by 2 steel beams and 2 studded basement walls.

That is a good question. You will get better construction-related responses if you start a new thread here on KITCHEN FORUM and cross post it to the REMODELING forum, too. I once crawled under a house I was considering buying and saw a bunch of new footings poured to support a bunch of 6x6’s. Went upstairs to ask the listing agent who said, sheepishly, that they had to install it to support the granite countertops. Hard pass.

Thanks!

MizLizzie and acm - I will look into the Method products. In the past, with my granite, I used a product called Cinch. Much better at hiding streaks like I see with Windex, and I liked the smell. However, I thought I read where vinegar and lemon based products were not to be used on Quartz. I don't know what Method has in it, but do know that Windex or Cinch would not be a good idea based on what I have read.

Could Dawn be used as the "warm soapy water"? What ever I use on my Quartz, I would like to keep it in a spray bottle and would also prefer a scent.