Quartz is a beautiful material that can be used to create countertops for any kitchen. Quartz surfaces are hard and durable, which makes them perfect for heavy use. Quartz is known for its stain resistance properties but there are a lot of instances where you would find your quartz countertop or table staining. In this article, we will discuss why quartz stains.
So why do quartz stain? Although quartz will not easily stain, there are some instances where quartz will stain, and these include;
- If Spills Are Allowed To Buildup
- Improper Cleaning Methods
- Staining From Chemicals Used To Clean
- Improper Installation Of Quartz Countertops
- Chemical Cleaners Reacts To Quartz Resin And Leaves A Stain
- Hot Spills On Quartz Countertops Can Cause Stains
- Heat Damage From Hot Pots
- Light-Colored Quartz
To learn the details on how these particular instances cause quartz surfaces to stain, keep reading this article.
1. If Spills Are Allowed To Buildup
When spills are allowed to sit on a surface for too long, they will harden and become difficult to remove. Many people do not wipe up spills right away which can cause stains in the future.
Stains from oil, grease, wine, fruit juice, and coffee will leave a noticeable mark on your quartz countertops if it is not cleaned immediately.
Usually, people would use paper towels instead of dish towels to wipe up spills. Paper towels are only effective if the spill has not dried out yet. Removing a stain after it has already been set will require the use of a commercial-grade cleaner to remove it.
A good rule of thumb is to ensure you wipe up spills right away. For some persistent stains, a poultice can be made from a mixture of baking soda and water to remove the stain. Simply mix a tablespoon of baking soda with a teaspoon of water to form a thick paste and apply it to the stained area. Then place a paper towel on the paste and let it sit overnight. In the morning, wipe off any remaining residue with a damp sponge and then dry the area thoroughly.
2. Improper Cleaning Methods
There are a lot of ways to clean your quartz countertops but not all of them will yield good results. Using a harsh scrubbing pad or wire brush may damage the surface and cause it to stain. Some cleaners can also leave behind discolorations and marks.
For example, using vinegar and ammonia-based cleaners can cause etching on the surface of your quartz countertops due to their highly acidic nature.
The best way to clean your quartz countertops is with a commercial-grade cleaner made specifically for stone surfaces and a soft cloth. These kinds of products will not cause any damage to the stone and will ensure that your countertops look new for years.
3. Staining From Chemicals Used To Clean
You should never use bleach or chlorine-based products on your quartz countertops. These chemicals are corrosive and can cause heavy etching. Using these chemicals can also degrade the sealant on your countertops.
The only time you would use bleach is in a deep-cleaning routine where you might need to use it on other surfaces in your home. It should only be used when the quartz countertops are completely dry and then it should be wiped off immediately.
The best cleaning solution to use for quartz countertops is a commercial-grade cleaner made specifically for stone surfaces. These cleaners will ensure that your quartz countertops stay looking new and shiny for years to come.
4. Improper Installation Of Quartz Countertops
If your countertops are not installed properly, it can lead to staining due to small gaps and seams. These spaces allow liquids to penetrate into the surface of your quartz countertops and cause discoloration.
Some companies may use a grout-like material between tiles to fill in gaps and seams but this material is porous so it will allow liquids to seep through.
The best way to avoid staining on your quartz countertops is to ensure that they are installed properly. This includes using a thin-set mortar during installation and sealing the surface with an impregnating sealant.
The thin-set mortar will prevent liquids from penetrating into the surface of your quartz countertops while an impregnating sealant will ensure that your countertops are protected from stains.
5. Chemical Cleaners Reacts To Quartz Resin And Leave A Stain
Chemical cleaners can react with the quartz resin used to make your countertop and cause discoloration. As mentioned earlier, some chemical cleaners are corrosive and can cause heavy etching.
Using these types of cleaners on your quartz countertops will degrade the sealant used to protect it from spills and stains.
The best way to avoid staining on your quartz countertops is by using a commercial-grade cleaner made specifically for stone surfaces. These cleaners will ensure that your countertops stay looking new and shiny for years to come without affecting the polyresins.
6. Hot Spills On Quartz Countertops Can Cause Stains
Sometimes countertops can become stained due to the cooking process. This happens because heated oils and other sugars in foods can cause staining on the surface of the quartz countertop.
The best way to avoid staining on your quartz countertops is by using a hot pad. These pads can help prevent spills and accidents from occurring.
If you do end up with a hot spill on your quartz countertops, remember that it is important to clean the surface immediately. Using cold water is the best option for immediately cleaning up a spill.
You can also avoid stains on your quartz countertops by using an impregnating sealant. This type of sealant can prevent spills from penetrating into the surface and causing discoloration.
If you do end up with a stain on your quartz countertops, there are special cleaners that can remove the stain without harming the surface.
It is best to contact a professional if you run into any problems with your quartz countertops. Most companies will offer a warranty to cover damage or staining that occurs during the normal use of their countertops.
7. Heat Damage From Hot Pots
Just like the way hot spills from oil, coffee, etc can cause your quartz surfaces to stain badly, heat damage from hot pans and etc can also cause stains to appear on your quartz.
When you put a hot pot directly onto your quartz surfaces the heat can damage the resins holding the stone together which causes the staining.
While you can use a hot pad or trivet to prevent heat damage from occurring, it is best to avoid putting anything directly onto your quartz surfaces.
If you do end up with heat damage to the resins in your quartz, consult a professional on how to restore your surfaces. They will be able to provide you with cleaning and resurfacing solutions that can effectively remove the stains without further damaging the surface of your quartz.
8. Stains Are Easier On Light-Colored Quartz
Dark quartz colors are more resistant to staining. This means that stains are harder to see on darker countertop surfaces, but it also means that they are harder to remove.
Stains tend to stand out more on lighter countertops, especially when the light reflects off of them. This makes it easier to clean up any spills or stains that occur.
If you have a dark quartz countertop, you can use darker kitchen mats and utensils to help keep your countertops looking clean. This can prevent staining from occurring in the first place.
How To Prevent Stains On Quartz
Avoid Heat Damage As Much As Possible
It is best to avoid putting anything directly onto your quartz surfaces that could cause heat damage. This includes hot pans, pots, and etc.
Immediately Clean Spills When They Happen
To avoid staining on quartz countertops, it is important to clean spills immediately. This will help prevent the stains from penetrating into the surface and causing staining that can be difficult to remove later on down the road.
Use A Sealer To Prevent Staining On Your Quartz Countertops
An impregnating sealant that can be found at Amazon, can help prevent spills from penetrating into your quartz surfaces and causing staining. It is the best way to keep stains from showing up on your countertops over time.
Use Darker-Colored Quartz For Heavy Use Countertops
For heavy use countertops, use darker-colored quartz countertops. This will help keep your countertops looking clean and prevent staining from occurring in the first place.
Use A Professional Cleaner If You Have A Stain
If you end up with a stain on your quartz countertops, use special cleaners that are designed to remove stains without harming the surface.
Contact A Professional If You Have Heat Damage To Your Quartz Countertops
If you have heat damage to your quartz countertops, contact a professional to find out how you can restore your surfaces.
Avoid Harsh Chemical Cleaners
Chemical cleaners can react with the quartz resin used to make your countertop and cause discoloration. As mentioned earlier, some chemical cleaners are corrosive and can cause heavy etching.
Using these types of cleaners on your quartz countertops will degrade the sealant used to protect it from spills and stains.
The best way to avoid staining on your quartz countertops is by using a commercial-grade cleaner made specifically for stone surfaces. These cleaners will ensure that your countertops stay looking new and shiny for years to come without affecting the polyresins.
Avoid Abrasive Cleaning Tools
It is also important to avoid using anything abrasive on your quartz countertops. Using a scrub brush or other rough materials can cause heavy scratching and etching which can be very hard to get rid of.
Even the smallest scratch on your quartz countertops can make it easier for stains to penetrate into the surface. This makes it harder to clean up spills and also causes them to stand out more.