A good counter should look the same on its tenth birthday as it did the day it was fitted. With quartz kitchen countertops, the daily care takes about two minutes. You need a bottle of neutral soap and a microfiber cloth, and because Pacific quartz does not stain, there is never anything to scrub out.

We are a quartz company that presses its own slabs in Hosur, and cleaning is one of the first things buyers ask us about. This guide covers the daily routine, the stains an Indian kitchen produces, and what to keep off the surface.

Why quartz is easy to look after

A Pacific slab is about 93% natural quartz, bound with a small amount of resin and pigment and pressed under vacuum. Removing the air packs the quartz grains so tightly that the surface has no pores. Oil, haldi and tea sit on top instead of soaking in, which is why quartz engineered stone countertops never need the sealing that natural stone does.

That same density makes the surface hard and scratch resistant. Most of what follows is about keeping the finish looking its best, since the stone itself is very hard to damage.

Pacific quartz does not stain

Turmeric, oil, ghee, tea, coffee, wine, lemon and tamarind have nowhere to go on a Pacific slab. The pressed surface has no pores for them to enter, so nothing soaks in and nothing sets.

The most a spill can do is dry on top and leave residue. That residue comes off with the daily routine below, and the slab underneath is the same colour it was on the day it was fitted. Marble behaves differently: it is porous, and the same splash of haldi can leave a permanent mark.

The three-step daily routine

This is the routine we recommend for every Pacific quartz counter, whatever the colour or finish.

1. Put a few drops of pH-neutral soap, such as a mild dishwashing liquid, on the area. Rub it in gently with a damp microfiber cloth, in small circles.

2. Leave the soap for a couple of minutes to loosen grease. Then wipe off every trace of it with a clean, wet cloth.

3. Dry the counter with a soft cloth or a paper towel. Most people skip this step, and it is the one that prevents water spots.

Do this once a day, usually after dinner, and the counter will need little else. Microfiber works better than a sponge here because it lifts oil without leaving lint or fine scratches on a polished finish.

Handling the stains of an Indian kitchen

A quartz kitchen sees turmeric, ghee, tea and the odd splash of tamarind every week. None of these can soak into the stone, but they can dry on the surface if left overnight.

Turmeric and curry are the hardest test for any counter, and they won't stain Pacific quartz. Wipe them the same day. If any colour is still sitting on the surface, repeat the three-step routine and let the soap work a little longer before rinsing.

Oil and ghee come off with a warm, damp microfiber cloth and neutral soap. Grease near the hob builds up as a thin film, so give that area a longer rub.

Tea, coffee and wine lift easily while fresh. For a dried ring, use a non-abrasive cream cleaner on a soft cloth.

Dried dough or food needs a minute under a damp cloth to soften. Then ease it off with a plastic scraper, never a metal knife.

What quartz would rather you avoided

Quartz is tough, but a few things can dull the finish or mark the resin that binds it.

• Put a kadai, tawa or pressure cooker that has come straight off the flame on a trivet. Ordinary cooking warmth is fine.

• Keep bleach, oven cleaner, paint thinner and drain cleaner off the surface. If one spills, rinse it away with water at once.

• Avoid steel wool and scouring powder. They can leave fine marks, most visibly on a polished finish.

• Use a chopping board. Quartz will blunt your knives long before they mark the stone.

Caring for white quartz countertops

White quartz countertops look calm and bright. They won't stain any more than a darker slab will, but a fresh spill is easier to see on them. The care is the same; the timing matters more. Wipe spills as they happen, and keep a cloth near the hob during cooking. A pale kitchen top in quartz looked after this way keeps its clean, even colour for years.

Polished, matte and textured finishes

A polished finish reflects light, so water spots and fingerprints show more. Drying after cleaning keeps it clear. Matte and textured finishes such as suede hide fingerprints well, though oil can be easier to see on them, so the same-day wipe matters more. Neither finish needs a special product. The three-step routine suits both.

The sink area and joints

On quartz kitchen worktops, the area around the sink sees the most water. Wipe up standing water and dry the edge of the sink at the end of the day, especially if your area has hard water, which leaves chalky marks when it evaporates. Keep an eye on the joints between slabs too. A quick wipe along the seam stops grime collecting there. Larger quartz slabs, up to 3,480 × 2,007 mm, can cut the number of joints on a long platform in the first place.

How quartz care differs from granite

We make both, and the routines are close but not identical. Granite kitchen countertops are natural stone, so they have tiny pores. A kitchen granite slab is usually sealed when it is installed and resealed from time to time, depending on the stone and how hard the kitchen is used. Our granite care guide explains how to check when it is due.

Kitchen quartz countertops don't need sealing or a special stone cleaner. If you are still choosing between the two, our comparison of quartz vs granite for Indian kitchens sets them side by side.

A simple care checklist

• Every day, run the three-step routine after cooking and pay extra attention to the hob and sink.

• Once a week, wipe along the joints and edges and clean the backsplash.

• For dried marks, use a non-abrasive cream cleaner, and a plastic scraper for stuck-on food.

• Never use bleach or steel wool, or put a hot pan straight on the surface.

Our quartz care guide goes into stubborn marks in more detail. Every Pacific quartz slab also carries a lifetime warranty.

Planning a new kitchen? Try our designs on your own space in the Visualizer, or request a sample and put it through a week of your cooking before you decide.