You might be wondering how to get hard water stains off of quartz countertops. These stains are caused by minerals in the water that interact with the surface of your countertops and create a white film across them. Luckily, there are a few ways to deal with it without breaking the bank.
What Is Hard Water?
Hard water is simply any type of water that has high concentrations of minerals like magnesium, calcium, and iron.
Hard water stain is commonly known by so many different names such as water stains, mineral stains, limescale, and mineral deposits. . No matter what you call them they are the same thing!
Hard water is not harmful to drink or use for household purposes, but it can create a white film on pretty much any surface that comes in contact with the water. This includes your quartz countertops and glass shower doors.
These minerals can cause white rings to form on other surfaces like your faucets, sinks, and toilets. If left untreated, they can permanently damage your plumbing systems by corroding them from the inside out.
What Are Hard Water Stains?
The minerals in hard water interact with your quartz countertops and cause a film to form across them. This film can make them look dull and white. Hard water stains can also make your countertops feel grainy.
Hard water stains are in no way dangerous, but they leave your countertops looking unappealing and can potentially damage them if left untreated.
Over time, these stains can eat away at the surface of quartz and cause it to lose its shine. When this happens and you happen to wait too long, your only option might be to remove the quartz and replace it with a brand new one.
Luckily, there are a few different ways to get rid of them so that you do not get to the point where you will have to change your countertop entirely.
Now let’s jump into the main reasons you’re here reading this post!
How to Remove Hard Water Stains from Quartz Countertops
1. Distilled Water And Dish Soap
Distilled water and dish soap are all you need to get rid of hard water stains from your quartz countertops. You would be using distilled water because it is free of minerals, but if you do not have any on hand ordinary water will work just fine.
Another cool thing about this process is you can use your regular mild dish soap instead of a specialized cleaner. To get started with this method;
Step 1:
- Simply mop your countertops with a clean damp cloth. Then mix your water and soap in a spray bottle.
Step 2:
- Spray the mixture onto your countertops, then wipe it away with another clean cloth.
- You can also use your kitchen sponge and a little bit of elbow grease if you want more scrubbing power.
- If the stains are extra stubborn, do not be afraid to let your dish soap sit for a few minutes before wiping or scrubbing it away.
- Do this process as often as you need to until the stains are gone for good!
Step 3:
- Rinse the countertops with clean water and wipe them down using a dry clean cloth.
- Allow the quartz countertop to dry and it’s ready for use.
This is a really easy way to get rid of hard water stains from your quartz countertops without going through the hassle of buying store-bought cleaners.
You will be able to stay on budget and save time by using distilled water and dish soap!
2. Vinegar and Lemon Juice
Vinegar and lemon juice are also great options for getting rid of hard water stains from your quartz countertops. You might be wondering why vinegar and lemon are good ingredients for cleaning or removing hard water stains from your quartz countertops and the answer is;
Vinegar and lemon juice are acidic substances, and the acid breaks down minerals in hard water by causing a chemical reaction.
Both of these ingredients work to remove the minerals from your countertops and turn them into a paste.
Vinegar is actually a great option for this because it has the ability to break down hard water minerals when left alone over time.
Meaning you can use either one of these ingredients alone to achieve the same results, but it is recommended that you combine them together for maximum power. So here’s how to use vinegar and lemon juice to remove hard water stains from quartz countertops;
Step 1:
- Start by mixing equal parts of lemon juice and vinegar in a spray bottle, then shake it up to combine.
Step 2:
- Spray the mixture onto your countertops, leave it there for at least 15 minutes, then wipe it away with a wet sponge.
- If your countertops are extra stained or stubborn you can leave the vinegar and lemon juice mixture on it for a longer period of time, 30 minutes to an hour.
Step 3:
- Rinse the countertops with clean water and wipe them down with a clean dry cloth.
3. Vinegar and Baking Soda
Vinegar and baking soda are also a safe bet for taking care of hard water stains from your quartz countertops. This is because vinegar contains cleaning and antibacterial properties, and baking soda is an alkaline substance that breaks down minerals.
You will be combining these two ingredients to create a paste that will remove the minerals stuck to your countertops. This method is great if the hard water stains have been on the quartz for a while. To use this method;
Step 1:
- Start by mixing equal parts of vinegar and baking soda in a bowl, then stir it together until it has formed a paste.
Step 2:
- Apply the mixture to the stained areas of the quartz countertops and let it sit for 15 minutes.
- With a bit of elbow grease, scrub the countertops with a wet sponge to remove the paste and any hard water stains residue.
Step 3:
- Repeat the process until the hard water stains have been completely removed from your quartz countertops.
Step 4:
- After you’ve finished removing all of the paste with a sponge, rinse the countertops with clean water and dry them off with a cloth.
- Allow the quartz countertop to completely dry before using it again.
4. Steel Wool And Warm Water
If you have no cleaners or ingredients on hand, you can use steel wool and warm water to remove hard water stains from your quartz countertops.
This method will only work if the hard water stains are fairly new so you will need to act fast. Below is how to use steel wool and warm water to get rid of hard water stains from your quartz countertops;
Step 1:
- Start by soaking a piece of steel wool in warm water.
Step 2:
- Dampen the surface of the quartz countertop using clean water.
Step 3:
- Scrub the countertop with the steel wool until all of the hard water stains have been removed.
Step 4:
- Rinse away the steel wool and the hard water stains with clean water.
Step 5:
- Use a dry clean cloth to dry the surface of the countertop.
5. Baking soda And Warm Water
Baking soda is a safe ingredient to use on your quartz countertops. This is because it’s a well-known cleaning product that’s gentle on surfaces.
You can use baking soda and warm water to remove hard water stains from your quartz countertops. Follow these simple steps to get rid of hard water stains from your countertops;
Step 1:
- Start by mixing equal parts baking soda and warm water in a bowl, then stir them together until you have a paste.
Step 2:
- Apply the mixture to the stained areas of your quartz countertops immediately and let it sit for 15 minutes.
Step 3:
- Scrub the countertop with a wet sponge to remove all of the paste and any hard water stains residue.
Step 4:
- Rinse the countertops with clean water and dry them off with a cloth to ensure that no residue is left behind.
6. Rubbing Alcohol
Another household ingredient that you can use to remove hard water stains from your quartz countertops is rubbing alcohol.
This method will only work whether the hard water stains are fairly new or old stains. Rubbing alcohol has amazing cleaning properties that will dissolve minerals and it’s also great for removing stains. Follow these easy steps to use rubbing alcohol on your quartz countertops;
Step 1:
- Dampen a microfiber cloth with rubbing alcohol.
Step 2:
- Use the dampened microfiber cloth to scrub the hard water stains on your quartz countertops.
- Continue to dampen the microfiber cloth and scrub the countertops until all of the hard water stains have been removed.
Step 3:
- Use a clean microfiber cloth to wipe away any residue or remaining rubbing alcohol.
Step 4:
- With the help of a dry clean cloth, wipe the surface of the quartz countertop to dry it off.
7. Lemon Juice and Salt
Another household alternative that you can use to remove hard water stains from your quartz countertops is lemon juice and salt.
We all know lemon juice contains cleaning properties that are great not only for cutting through grease but also for removing stains.
Salt on the other hand is a great abrasive that can help get rid of hard water stains from your quartz countertops. To use lemon juice and salt to remove hard water stains from your quartz countertops, follow these easy steps;
Step 1:
- Mix equal parts lemon juice and salt in a bowl.
Step 2:
- Apply this mixture directly to the stains on your quartz countertops.
Step 3:
- Leave the mixture on for 10 minutes before rinsing it away with warm water.
- The citric acid found in lemon juice is what makes it such an effective cleaning solution while the salt acts as an abrasive.
Step 4:
- Now use a clean damp microfiber cloth to wipe the countertops dry making sure to remove all lemon juice, salts, and hard water residue.
Step 5:
- Leave the quartz to dry.
8. Hydrogen Peroxide and Dish Soap
Hydrogen peroxide is a great cleaning alternative to use on your quartz countertops. This ingredient has wonderful cleansing properties that work well on removing stains.
The addition of dish soap makes this mixture even more powerful as it will offer a deep clean that’s able to remove hard water stains from your quartz countertops. To do this, simply follow these easy steps;
Step 1:
- Combine equal parts hydrogen peroxide and dish soap in a bowl.
- You can also put the mixture in a spray bottle for easy application.
Step 2:
- Apply the mixture to the stains on your quartz countertops and allow it sit for 5-10 minutes.
- This is enough time for the mixture to work its magic.
Step 3:
- Now use a soft sponge or microfiber cloth to wipe away the hydrogen peroxide and dish soap.
Step 4:
- Rinse the countertop with clean water and dry off any remaining moisture with a soft towel or cloth to ensure that no residue is left behind.
When using hydrogen peroxide to clean your quartz countertops, it’s important that you test the mixture on a small inconspicuous area first to ensure that it won’t discolor your countertops.
Tips For Cleaning Hard Water From Quartz Countertops
Below are some important tips and tricks that help you to clean hard water stains from your quartz countertops. Using these tricks will ensure that you get the best results possible.
- For all of these methods, it’s best to start cleaning your quartz countertops on the outside of where you can see hard water stains and then move towards areas that are harder to reach.
- Always test the cleaning solution on a small inconspicuous area first before applying it directly to your quartz countertops.
- The best time to clean hard water stains from your quartz countertops is directly after you’ve used the appliance that caused the hard water stains to form.
- In some cases, cleaning a quartz countertop with a single cleaning solution may not be enough. You need to combine different solutions and use them in tandem for the best results possible.
- Always try the easy and simple methods of cleaning the hard water stains from your quartz before attempting those that require more time and effort.
- When cleaning hard water stains from your quartz countertops, always be sure to thoroughly rinse the area after you’re done using the cleaning solution. This is to ensure you do not leave any active ingredients that can subsequently damage your countertops.
- The best way to ensure that you can easily remove hard water stains from your quartz countertops is by regularly wiping them down with a microfiber cloth.
- When attempting to clean hard water stains from your quartz countertops, always use less cleaning solution than you think you actually need as you don’t want to risk over-saturating the countertops.
How To Prevent Hard Water Stains From Quartz Countertops
As the old saying goes, prevention is better than cure. There are some simple things that you can do in order to keep hard water stains from forming on your quartz countertops.
- Regularly wipe your countertops down with a microfiber cloth to remove any dirt, grime, or hard water residues that can build up over time.
- Regularly clean your appliances with vinegar and water to help prevent hard water stains from occurring on them as well. This includes things like your dishwasher and your washing machine.
- If the water that runs through your pipes is hard water, then you may need to install a water softener in order to prevent your quartz countertops from getting stained.
- If possible, use distilled water for all of your day-to-day cleaning needs to reduce the risk of hard water stains appearing on your quartz countertops.
- Regularly test any cleaning solution that you use with a small inconspicuous area to ensure that it won’t damage the quartz countertops.
- Don’t leave any excess water puddles on your quartz countertops. This is because they will leave behind a mineral residue that can lead to the formation of hard water stains over time.
- Don’t use any harsh chemicals such as bleach or ammonia on your quartz countertops. This is because they can cause damage to the material and lead to hard water stains.
- Don’t use any abrasive pads or tools when cleaning your quartz countertops as they may cause damage to the material over time.
FAQ’s
Q. Is hard water stains the same as limescale?
A. Yes, hard water stains are the same as limescale which results from the building up of calcium, magnesium minerals, and other metal deposits over time.
Q. What are the causes of hard water stains on your quartz?
A. Hard water stains on your quartz are caused by calcium, magnesium minerals that build up over time on the countertops.
