Oops! How Do I Get This Stain Off My Quartz Countertop?

Learning to get spots off of quartz countertops without damaging them is valuable information. It removes the annoying and unsightly mark, but it also preserves its value and prolongs its integrity.

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Unfortunately, many homeowners mistakenly think that "common-sense" cleansers are ok to use- cleaners like nail polish remover or bleach- when in fact, they are very damaging. Even the type of sponge could mean the difference between preserving the surface polish or increasing the damage with deep scratches.

Read on to learn how you can remove stains from quartz the right way.

How to Get Spots Off of Quartz Countertops

It's completely natural that engineered quartz will stain occasionally. To prevent the stains from setting, you will need to use a soft sponge or dishcloth. Dip it in warm water and scrub lightly. 

If you perform this simple routine maintenance, stains are unlikely to become a big issue. However, this doesn't mean that your counter is destroyed if a stain does set.

Water Stains

Water stains are by far the most common reasons that quartz countertop material might lose its luster. When water is left to set into the material, it will cause damage to the finish that seals the countertop. You can generally prevent water stains from ever becoming an issue if you wipe up spills immediately after they take place.

If you do not notice a spill and it becomes a stain, you can use a simple warm water/baking soda mixture to remove it. Pour a small amount of this liquid over the stain and rub it with the same soft kitchen sponge you would use for routine maintenance.

This is an especially common way to eliminate stains that were made by glasses. Condensation buildup causes circular water stains that are easily eliminated by this mixture.

For a more stubborn water stain, you can cover the stain with plastic wrap after pouring the baking soda water on it. This will create heat that pulls the stain out of your quartz countertops. At this point, you should have the original polished finish back.

Common Spill Stains

However, water stains aren't the only problems that homeowners encounter. Other common countertop stains include hot sauce, sharpie marker, spaghetti sauce, nail polish, and brightly colored spices like cumin and turmeric.

In addition to damaging the finish, these stains can significantly alter your quartz countertop colors. Luckily, there are ways to eliminate these blemishes even if the stain has set. Your gorgeous countertop color will be retained.

Calacatta Miraggio Quartz Countertop

You likely will need more assistance than your baking soda/water mixture can provide. Use a liquid cleanser like Mr. Clean, 409, Simple Green, or Fantastic. Ordinary dishwashing detergent also will work when mixed with warm water and a White Scotch Brite.

Note what you never should use a red or green Scotch Brite because they contain aluminum oxide. This will dull the finish of your countertop. Chemicals such as drain cleaners, paint strippers, or products containing Hydrofluoric acid, Methylene chloride, or trichloroethylene will also discolor quartz countertops.

You can use the same sponge and circular scrubbing motions as you would for cleaning water stains. Not using abrasive movements- or cleaners- is key. You should never put abrasive cleaners like Comet or Ajax on your surface as it will scratch the quartz.

Stains on Countertop Edges 

No matter how your countertop edges are shaped, it's inevitable: you're going to have a spill that runs over them eventually. You can clean up after these accidents in the same way that you would the top surface of your slab.

Here is a section on maintaining your quartz countertops that you can add to the post:

Maintaining Your Quartz Countertops

Proper maintenance is key to keeping your quartz countertops looking beautiful for years to come. Here are some tips to maintain the shine and durability of your quartz surfaces:

Wipe up spills immediately, especially acidic substances like wine, citrus juice, vinegar, or soda. These can etch or discolor the quartz if left to sit.

Avoid placing extremely hot pots, pans, or dishes directly on the countertop. Although quartz is heat-resistant, sudden extreme temperature changes can cause cracking. Always use trivets or hot pads.

Do not cut directly on the quartz surface, as this can dull your knives. Use a cutting board to protect both your counters and your cutlery. 

Never stand or sit on quartz countertops, as they are not structurally designed to support concentrated weight. Excessive weight in one spot can lead to cracks.

Although quartz is highly scratch-resistant, avoid dragging heavy objects like pottery or appliances across the surface to prevent scratching.

Clean regularly with a damp microfiber cloth to avoid buildup of grime or stains. For best results, wipe down the counters daily and follow the deep cleaning procedures as needed.

Do not use harsh chemical cleaners like bleach, oven cleaners, paint strippers, or products containing methylene chloride or trichloroethane. These substances can break down the bonds between the quartz and resin.

By following these maintenance guidelines along with the proper cleaning techniques, your quartz countertops will stay lustrous and durable, maintaining their just-installed appearance for many years with minimal effort on your part.

Frequently Asked Questions

Removing stains from your countertop is fairly simple. However, because it's so important, you likely still have some questions. This is completely normal!

Which Cleaner Brands Are Best?

Bar Keepers Friend soft cleanser liquid is by far the best option that we recommend for scrubbing into the stained area. This cleaner doesn't dull the hues of your countertop. It also is 100% nonabrasive and will not scratch the surface.

However, you can use any of the brands that we have discussed earlier. This is just the #1 option when you are given a choice.

Can I See How to Clean My Quartz Countertops?

If you want to learn more about what caring for your countertop looks like, watch the video below about our Q collection. It will explain and showcases what everyday cleaning looks like as well as how a gentle liquid cleaner can help. It also shows you how to remove the toughest stains, so take a look.

What If I Can't Remove a Stubborn Stain?

If you can't remove a stain no matter how hard you try, there's no need for a full kitchen remodel. You should contact the person who initially installed your countertops and ask about your warranty. Some stains will likely be covered while others aren't, so ask about your specific situation.

Calacatta Viraldi Quartz Countertop

If it is covered, great! You can have a new slab installed or get the existing one fixed easily. If not, look into other cleaning alternatives- professionals may have tools that you do not.

Are you interested in learning more about black quartz with white veins? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!

Start Cleaning Now

Now that you understand how to get spots off of quartz countertops, it's time to get started. Contact us with any remaining questions that you have about quartz maintenance.

Our experts are happy to provide you with some tips and tricks to keep your countertops in top shape. We also will point you in the direction of cleaning supplies and guides that can help you get common stains off your counters. Chat online with us now,  visit one of our showrooms, or find an authorized MSI dealer near you.

More on Quartz Countertops

Quartz countertops are a delight to install in your home since they are highly durable and easy to clean. However, accidents happen and a spill or mess can get away from us. Left uncleaned, the spill evaporates and leaves behind an unsightly stain on your lovely countertops.

Thankfully, quartz is built to be stain resistant, so it should not be much of a problem to remove the contamination. Water spills can be a little tricker to remove since there are mineral deposits to etch off. If cleaned improperly, you can damage your quartz in the process of cleaning the problem stain.

Let us discuss how to thoroughly clean water stains so you can keep your quartz countertops shining and healthy.

Table of Contents

Benefits of Quartz

            Now, you&#;ve heard this often and it&#;s probably the reason why you purchased quartz in the first place, &#;quartz is stain resistant.&#; That statement is correct as quartz is designed to be stain resistant. Quartz is manufactured to have a non-porous surface, allowing spills and stains to sit on the surface of the stone instead of seeping into any minute cracks. Compared to other stones, quartz is one of the most durable and easy to clean stones to have for a countertop.

     That being said, quartz is still capable of being stained if messes are left to linger on its surface. Care must be taken to ensure spills are cleaned up in an appropriate amount of time, or else it will require some work to remove what is left behind.

What Are Water Stains and Water Rings

Water rings are when moisture forms at the bottom of a cup, glass, or bowl, and leaves a ring of water on the counter. Water rings are easy to clean as a simple wipe with a paper towel or cloth will absorb the water.

Water stains are formed when water evaporates from a countertop, leaving behind leftover mineral deposits. These stains are also known as hard water stains, mineral deposits, or water marks.

What Causes Water Stains

Water stains are caused due to the tiny particles of minerals in moisture left to sit on a counter. When water is sitting on your countertop, it will eventually evaporate. During the evaporation process, any solid minerals like calcium and lime are left behind and stick to the countertop. The leftover minerals create a chalky white stain which can be difficult to remove.

These stains can come from rainwater coming through a window, brushing your teeth, moisture from a cup or glass or general water coming from the tap.

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Removing Water Stains

The benefit of quartz being non-porous means that any stain or spill is going to rest on the surface of the stone. This makes quartz very easy to clean with little or no need for heavy-duty cleaners like bleach.

Warm Water + Dish Soap

This is the preferred method of cleaning most messes on quartz countertops. Combine a small amount of mild dish soap with warm water into a bowl or bucket. Using a microfiber cloth or soft rag, use the soapy water solution to wash off as much of the mineral deposit as possible.

The combination of adding water onto the minerals should loosen it from your quartz. Once the stain is removed, use a dry rag to wipe down the counter. This ensures no excess moisture or soap bubbles remain on the surface.

Soft Scrubber

For hard water stains that are persistent, use a gentle soft scrubber, warm water, and dish soap combination. A soft scrubber is more abrasive than a microfiber cloth, which will help etch off the mineral deposits. Scrub in a slow and circular motion to cover as much surface area as possible.

Only use a soft scrubber, as hard scrubbers may damage your quartz countertops by dulling the finish.

Scraper

This method is for hard water stains that are proving difficult to scrub off and it&#;s time to get a little more serious. A scraper can easily scratch off hard mineral deposits, when utilized in the proper manner.

Holding a scraper or straight razor at a 45-degree angle, carefully scratch off the hard mineral deposits latched onto your countertop. It is recommended to start at the edge of the stain and work your way inward to the larger pieces.

Once most of the stain has been removed, use a combination of warm water and mild dish soap to clean off the remaining residue and lingering particles. After which, wipe down with a dry towel or paper towel.

Use caution when handling a scraper or any sharp object on a quartz countertop as too much force can scratch your quartz countertops, which will lead to a different issue.

Baking Soda + Water

If all else has failed, time to throw the gloves on and get scientific. Baking soda is a chemical leavening agent, meaning it is designed to chemically remove messes. It is also a very safe ingredient in baking goods and a common chemical for cleaning products.

This method requires creating a paste by having a bowl of warm water and sprinkling in baking soda. Stir the combination together until it makes a malleable paste. Take the baking soda paste and layer it over the hard water stain. Allow the paste to sit for about 10-15 minutes. The baking soda will chemically remove the mineral deposits and leave your quartz cleaned. After the allotted time, gently scrape off the paste and clean the area with a combination of warm water and mild dish soap. Then wipe down with a dry cloth.

Some stains may require additional applications of the baking soda paste and for larger stains, allow the paste to sit overnight.

Specialized Cleaners

Specialized cleaners are any type of stone countertop cleaner which is designed for removing stains. This method requires some research as each brand of quartz has their own cleaning instructions and guidelines regarding which cleaning agents can and cannot be used on their products.

Before purchasing any specialized cleaning agents, consult your quartz countertop supplier and listen to what they suggest for removing the hard water stain. Do not try to use a cleaner recommended by one brand for another as it may damage the finish or dull the stones color.

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Prevention

 The key to keeping your quartz safe is to always be proactive in keeping it clean.

Coasters: Use coasters and pot holders for all cups and pots so any excess moisture is absorbed onto the coaster instead of your countertop.

Clean Spills Quickly: Do not wait to clean up a spill later. Time can get away from us and the faster you can clean the spill, the less effort you will need to clean up a stain later.

Cutting Boards: Use a cutting board when chopping foods to help absorb moisture from sliced foods. A cutting board also protects your countertop from getting cut.

Clean Regularly: Clean your quartz countertops on a regular basis with mild dish soap and water or a maintenance cleaner like Mr. Stone.

Do Not Stand on Countertops: Use an indoor ladder or foot stool to reach high to reach places. Do not stand on your quartz countertops as wet shoes or feet carry minerals, germs and bacteria which can harm you and your countertop.

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