Quartz has become more and more popular as a material used in kitchen countertops – but can you use hydrogen peroxide on quartz countertops?
Using hydrogen peroxide on quartz countertops is something that should not be done regularly, and if you decide to use it you should always dilute it properly with water to make it less acidic to protect your countertop. This will reduce the effectiveness of the hydrogen peroxide’s cleaning capabilities, however.
In the rest of this article, we will dive into the nuances of using hydrogen peroxide on quartz countertops, as well as some alternative options that are safer and perhaps easier to use.
Is Hydrogen Peroxide Safe For Quartz Countertops?
Hydrogen peroxide has a pH of approximately 3.5, which means it is quite acidic.
When cleaning quartz it is advised to use neutral pH cleaning agents to avoid damaging the color and texture of the stone. So, in technical terms, hydrogen peroxide is not ‘safe’ to use on quartz countertops – but it can be diluted and used for cleaning applications, just not on a regular basis.
Another problem is that by diluting the solution you will reduce the disinfecting properties, which is quite detrimental to the cleaning process.
This is quite similar to using hydrogen peroxide on hardwood floors, it can be done but it requires knowledge of how to do it safely – it’s also not recommended to do on a regular basis.
How To Clean A Quartz Countertop With Hydrogen Peroxide
Although it is generally not recommended, if you have no other option you can use hydrogen peroxide as long as you dilute it heavily. Remember that by diluting it you will protect your quarts but also lower the cleaning properties of the hydrogen peroxide itself.
Let’s take a look at how to clean your countertop with hydrogen peroxide as safely as you can below:
Dilute Hydrogen Peroxide With Water
Pretty much every hydrogen peroxide solution will have a concentration of around 3%, but we still advise diluting this further to ensure your quartz doesn’t get affected.
Mix one part of the 3% hydrogen peroxide with one part of water as needed in a spray bottle to create the cleaning solution.
Spray The Surface And Wipe
Spray the countertop surface with the solution and use a clean dishcloth to wipe the area thoroughly.
This is a key step as you don’t want to allow the hydrogen peroxide to sit on the surface for too long, so make sure you wipe it up right away.
Rinse
Once you’ve got rid of most of the dirt and grime on the surface, take a fresh dishcloth and rinse it through with warm water.
Wring the cloth out until it is damp and wipe over the area again to ensure all of the hydrogen peroxide solution has been removed. You can also use this step to check for any dirt you may have missed.
Wipe Dry
Take a clean rag and wipe the surface to get rid of any excess moisture.
This will help to prevent any streaks from forming during evaporation, and ensure none of the hydrogen peroxide is left on the surface.
Can You Use Lysol Hydrogen Peroxide On Quartz Countertops?
Lysol multi-purpose cleaner with hydrogen peroxide has a very low concentration of hydrogen peroxide – typically below 1% – which means it isn’t likely to damage your quartz countertop if you decide to use it.
We would still generally advise against it though, as you are much safer using a pH-neutral product rather than one that contains hydrogen peroxide, but the choice is up to you.
Best Alternative To Hydrogen Peroxide
If hydrogen peroxide isn’t highly recommended, what is the best option for cleaning a quartz countertop?
The best way to clean a quartz countertop is actually one of the simplest.
A simple mixture of warm water and a few drops of neutral pH dish soap is incredibly easy to create and will clean a quartz countertop with ease without the possibility of damaging the surface. Learn how to clean a quartz countertop using dish soap by following the steps below.
How To Clean A Quartz Countertop With Dish Soap And Water
Cleaning a quartz countertop with dish soap is super easy:
- Mix a few cups of warm water with a couple of drops of dish soap as needed. If your countertop is especially greasy or dirty, simply add more dish soap.
- Use a dishcloth to apply the solution to the countertop, scrubbing thoroughly in areas with more dirt and grease.
- Keep rinsing the dishcloth regularly while cleaning until all of the surface has been cleaned, then replace the water and dish soap solution with just water.
- Take a new dishcloth and rinse the area with just water to remove any soap residue and leave it to dry.
- If any tough stains are present, use Bar Keepers Friend Powder to spot clean them.
And that’s it!
FAQs
There are a lot of questions about cleaning quartz countertops, so we’ve done our best to address some of the most common ones below.
Does Hydrogen Peroxide Disinfect Quartz?
Hydrogen peroxide is very effective at removing bacteria and disinfecting surfaces, but it is only really effective in solutions of 3% or higher.
In our case, we recommend diluting the hydrogen peroxide to keep your quartz safe from damage. This means that it will not fully disinfect the surface, at the expense of preventing damage.
Can You Use Abrasive Scrubbers On Quartz?
You should avoid using anything abrasive on quartz at all costs, as it will cause scratches which can be very difficult to repair.
Final Thoughts
You can use hydrogen peroxide on quartz countertops, but it can cause damage to the surface if you use a high concentration or leave it on the surface for too long.
This is why it is recommended to use different cleaning agents, such as dish soap, that are pH neutral to clean your quartz countertops.