Are White Quartz Countertops A Good Idea?
So many countertop options to go with, but we love our white quartz kitchen countertops we went with. If you’re debating, here’s everything you need to know to make an informed decision!
DESIGN AND DECOR
What You Need To Know about White Quartz Countertops
One of my favorite parts of our kitchen is the countertops we went with.
We had a bit of drama (because is it really us if there’s no drama?) with them, and for a while, I was fearful that we would be settling, but on this side of it, I feel like there was zero settling.
And because my husband works with investors and has a lot of experience installing countertops and working with different surfaces, we’ve learned a lot from the pros. Now I wanted to share that information with you fine people.
For your information, the kitchen countertops we went with are Calacatta Prado Quartz from MSI Surfaces.
What Are Quartz Countertops Made Out Of?
Quartz countertops are manufactured using natural quartz mixed with polymers.
In short, they’re man-made.
However, don’t let this deter you! As you’ll learn, they are easy to maintain, come in various colors and shades, and have many veining options so that you can have lots to choose from to fit your style.
Cleaning White Quartz Countertops
How do you keep white quartz clean?
Before moving to this house, we had granite countertops, and while I didn’t love the color, they were durable.
In our old kitchen at this house, we had laminate countertops, and they held up pretty good but had several knicks and dings that you could feel when you wiped them down.
Luckily, keeping white quartz kitchen countertops clean is incredibly easy, which is the main reason we chose quartz over marble countertops.
Can you use Lysol wipes or Clorox wipes on quartz?
Technically yes, but you need to be careful they don’t actually contain bleach because that could ruin them. Even though it’s porous, bleach (or any product with ammonia) can break down the surface, which will make it susceptible to stains.
I made sure to ask our countertop installers what to clean them with, and their top recommendation is soap and water. So I use a damp microfiber with soap and water weekly. They said for a daily or quick cleaner, you can also use a glass and surface spray.
I use Dapple, designed for kids’ toys and surfaces, or my DIY glass cleaner.
Do white countertops show dirt?
I mean, it’s white, so yes.
However, because it’s super easy to clean, it doesn’t bother me.
The main reason is that, especially if I’m preparing food on a surface, I want to know if there’s dirt or a mess on there so that I’m not cross-contaminating anything.
But if you’re someone who likes everything to look super-duper clean at all times, then white quartz kitchen countertops may not be for you.
White Quartz Kitchen Countertop Maintenance
Is white quartz hard to maintain?
Quarts is highly durable, stain-resistant, and non-porous. No need to reseal quartz every so often (or at all!) like you would need to with granite.
The best part of quartz being non-porous is that you don’t have to worry about germs or bacteria seeping into the stone. So when you clean your surface, you’re doing as deep of a clean as you need.
Other kitchen countertops like marble, butcher block (like we have on our guest bathroom vanity), granite, or even concrete tend to easily stain and require higher maintenance upkeep than I’m willing to do.
Do white quartz countertops stain?
Quartz is non-porous, so there are no microscopic holes or other areas for stains to sink into. This means knocking over a glass of coffee, wine, or grape juice (all of which have happened already here) requires nothing more than a simple wipe-down.
Does white quartz scratch easily?
Even with a knife, quartz is tough to scratch.
I don’t recommend going nuts and running knives all over your quartz countertops like a crazy person. Still, I definitely wouldn’t worry about scratching them in daily use.
In a hurry, if I’m trying to get hungry kids fed, I’ve even (gently) cut directly on it and have had no issues.
Can you put a hot pan on quartz?
Quartz is scratch-resistant, but it is heat sensitive. It is not resistant to heat, so avoid placing hot pans on the countertop directly. Instead, use a trivet or a hot pad to protect your quartz.
Quartz vs. Laminate Countertops
I wrote a whole post comparing quartz vs. laminate countertops that you can read. It includes everything from cost to durability to whether or not quartz is worth it with the new laminate countertops available.
Quartz vs. Marble Countertops
Marble countertops are gorgeous, but they require more upkeep than quartz. If you’re debating between white quartz and marble countertops, I highly recommend choosing quartz for its low maintenance and durability.
Marble countertops are also more expensive, reaching even the $150 per square foot range. If you have a larger kitchen, that will add up very quickly.
White Quartz Cost
Quartz is going to run you about twice the cost of granite. Typical prices will start around $50-$60 per square foot and can run you over $100 per square foot.
Benefits and Drawbacks of White Quartz Countertops
White quartz kitchen countertops are an excellent choice for those looking for an easy-to-clean, low-maintenance surface.
While white quartz kitchen countertops may show dirt more than other colors, the tradeoff is that it’s effortless to clean. White quartz countertops are more expensive than alternatives like granite, butcher block, or laminate, but they offer a beautiful, modern look for your kitchen.
We are so thrilled with ours!
