No, cutting on quartz countertops is not recommended. Although quartz is hard and durable, it can also be susceptible to damage from the sharp blades of knives. Cutting directly on a quartz countertop can cause deep scratches and other cosmetic damage that can impact the appearance of a countertop.
In addition to damaging your beautiful counter, cutting directly on quartz will also do damage to the knife being used.
Since quartz is so hard, it can and will easily make your knife’s blade go dull. Opt for using a cutting board instead of your countertop when chopping veggies for dinner.
How To Protect Quartz From Scratching
Use A Cutting Board
Cutting boards are perhaps the easiest way to protect your quartz and prevent it from getting scratched. They are affordable and you probably have one or two of them hanging around the kitchen already, which makes them convenient, too.
You can use plastic or wooden cutting boards — it doesn’t matter what the board is made of, so long as it adequately covers the area of your quartz on which you’re preparing food.
If you opt to use wooden cutting boards, however, be sure to wash them well in between uses as wood holds onto bacteria more readily than other surfaces.
What Can Scratch Quartz Countertops? 4 Reasons
Avoid Abrasive Pads
Even the hardest of surfaces can be damaged by abrasive cleaning pads — that’s why we highly recommend avoiding abrasive, heavy-duty scouring pads at all costs when you’re dealing with the cleanliness of quartz.
It can be tempting to remove stains and stuck on food quickly with metal scrubbies or otherwise rough pads, but it’s best to resist the urge and instead opt for something more gentle.
Taking a bit more time using a soft nylon brush or a commercial quartz cleaner is going to prevent your counter from being scratched.
Avoid Throwing Solid Objects
Upon returning home from a long day at work, it’s easy to just toss your keys onto the nearest surface…which is often the kitchen counter. However, this mindless habit could actually be doing damage to your quartz counter without you even realizing.
Since quartz is so hard it’s not uncommon to not think about solid objects like keys, pots, and cutlery scratching the surface. Unfortunately, though, tossing solid objects onto the counter is one of the most common ways that quartz gets scratched.
What Items Can I Put on My Quartz Countertop?
What Can Ruin Quartz Countertops?
There is a long list of things that can ruin the appearance of quartz. A few of the everyday culprits that we don’t often think about include heat, cutting/chopping, cleaners, and neglecting stains and spilled food.
Hot Items
While it’s true that quartz is extremely heat resistant, it can still be damaged by heat over long periods of time. If you regularly set hot pans on your countertop, you run the risk of your counter developing discoloration and other physical damage.
It’s best practice to always use a heat mat, rack, or pot holder when setting hot items on your countertop.
When it comes to glasses of hot tea or coffee, you should also consider using a coaster or some form of protection from the heat for your counter’s sake.
Directing Cutting On Quartz
As we briefly mentioned before, cutting directly on your quartz surface is almost always going to result in some level of cosmetic damage.
Knives are incredibly sharp and their blades are sharp enough to leave scratches and knicks in quartz, even when you’re cutting as carefully as possible.
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Not Cleaning Stains
Stains and spills do more than just attract bugs — they can also ruin your quartz!
When something strong gets spilled on your countertop, be diligent in wiping the stain away and cleaning the area. Things that can stain material easily such as dark juices, wine, coffee, tea, turmeric, curry etc can stain your quartz just as quickly.
Once you notice a spill, wipe it away as quickly as possible for the best chance of your quartz getting out of the situation stain-free.
Do not let the stains dry if you can help it; once they have dried, they are harder to get off and, by that point, your counter has probably already been soiled.
Abrasive Cleaners
Cleaners that contain harsh chemicals can have negative impacts on quartz countertops. They can easily discolor the stones, as well as damage them, which then results in a poor, lack-luster appearance.
Bleach is one cleaner that should never be used. In addition, soap and water should be avoided, too, as it can build up on the countertop and make it look dull.
When you need to clean your quartz, opt for a commercial quartz cleaner that has been designed to keep the integrity and appearance of this gorgeous stone intact.
