It’s the middle of the day and you’re rushing to get ready for an important meeting. You glance in the mirror and realize that you have a huge makeup stain on your quartz countertop. What do you do? Don’t worry, I’ll show you how to remove makeup stains from quartz countertops in this complete guide.
Makeup Stains On Quartz Countertops
There are a few things you need to understand before we get into the nitty-gritty of removing makeup stains. First, it’s important to know that quartz is a non-porous material.
This means that makeup stains will not be able to penetrate the surface of the countertop. However, because quartz is a natural stone, it is susceptible to staining. This means that if you don’t take care of the makeup stain quickly, it will become a permanent mark on your countertop.
The best way to avoid this is by taking action as soon as the makeup stain occurs. Second, quartz countertops are very durable and can withstand most cleaning products. However, I do not recommend using an abrasive cleaner on your countertop, as this can damage the surface.
This is particularly true because quartz countertops are often treated with a sealant that can be damaged by abrasive cleaners.
Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s get into the various types of makeup. The first thing you need to do is identify the type of makeup stain you’re dealing with. There are a few different types of makeup stains:
- Foundation
- Lip Stick
- Eye shadow
- Mascara
- Lip Gloss
- Powdered Makeup
- Cream Makeup
While the processes needed to clean most of the different stains are similar, there are a few that will require a bit of extra work.
For example, mascara and eyeliner are two of the most difficult makeup stains to remove because they are usually oil-based. This means that they will require a bit more elbow grease to remove from stone countertops.
Foundation is the most common type of makeup stain. Because it is water-based, it is relatively easy to remove from your quartz countertops. Now let’s get into the details of how to remove the various types of makeup from your quartz countertops.
1. How to Remove Foundation Stains from Quartz Countertops
If you’re dealing with a foundation stain, the first thing you need to do is identify the type of foundation. There are three types of foundation: liquid, powder, and cream foundation. Let’s begin with the liquid foundation!
How To Remove Liquid Foundation From Quartz Countertops
Liquid foundation is usually a water-in-silicone solution, which makes for streak-free, uniform application. Many liquid makeup products also include extra skincare components such as built-in moisturizer, hyaluronic acid, or SPF to keep your skin hydrated and protected at all times.
Liquid foundation is the easiest type of foundation to remove from a quartz countertop. Here’s how to safely remove it without ruining your beautiful quartz countertops.
Step One: Blot the Stain
- The first thing you need to do is blot the stain with a clean, dry cloth. Do not rub the cloth on the stain, as this will only spread it further.
Step Two: Make A Mild Soap Mixture
- Once you’ve blotted the excess foundation from the surface of your quartz countertop, put 3-5 drops of mild dish soap into a bowl of water and make it sudsy.
Step Three: Apply the Soap Mixture to the Stain
- Dip your clean cloth into the sudsy water and apply it to the liquid foundation stain.
- Make sure you’re using a light touch, as you don’t want to damage your quartz countertop.
- Gently rub the stain with the cloth until it’s gone. If the stain is stubborn, you can add a little more dish soap to the water.
Step Four: Rinse and Wipe Away the Soap
- Once the stain has been removed, rinse the area with clean water and wipe it dry with a soft cloth.
- Now allow your quartz countertop to air dry. Done!
How to Remove Powder Foundation From Quartz Countertops
Powder foundation is a dry, compacted form of foundation that is applied with a brush. It provides buildable coverage and can be used to set liquid foundation or concealer.
Powder foundation is also one of the easiest types of makeup to remove from quartz countertops. All you need is a little bit of water and no elbow grease!
Step One: Brush Of Residue
- Start by brushing off as much of the powder foundation as possible. This will help to minimize the amount of powder that gets spread or absorbed into your quartz countertop.
Step Two: Make A Mild Soap Solution
- Once you’ve brushed off the excess foundation, put one-two drop of mild dish soap into a bowl of water and make it sudsy.
- Dampen a clean rag with the solution and gently wipe the stain.
- You do not need to make the rag completely wet.
Step Three: Rinse and Wipe Away the Soap Solution
- Once the stain has been removed, rinse the area with clean water and wipe it dry with a soft cloth.
- Now allow your quartz countertop to air dry.
How to Remove Cream Foundation From Quartz Countertops
Cream foundation is usually made of oil, wax, and mineral pigments and comes in both liquid and solid forms. Cream foundation is one of the most difficult types of makeup to remove from surfaces, including quartz countertops.
Whether your quartz countertop has a light or dark-colored finish, you can use an all-purpose cleaner to remove the cream foundation. Be sure to test the cleaning solution in an inconspicuous area first to make sure it doesn’t damage the surface of your countertop.
Step One: Blot the Stain
- The first step is to blot the stain with a clean cloth. Do not scrub the stain, as this could cause the stain to spread over the surface of your countertop.
Step Two: Make An All-Purpose Cleaner
- In a regular spray bottle, combine the dish soap, glass cleaner, and warm water.
- Gently shake the bottle to mix the cleaning chemicals.
Step Three: Spray the All-Purpose Cleaner
- Spray the all-purpose cleaner directly on the makeup stain.
- Use a non-abrasive sponge or cloth to scrub the stain in a circular motion.
Step Four: Rinse with Warm Water
- Once the makeup stain has been removed, rinse the area with warm water to remove any residue from the all-purpose cleaner.
- Dry the area with a clean towel.
So all in all, if the stain is from the foundation, you want to try using a degreaser like dish soap or an all-purpose cleaner. Apply the degreaser to a clean cloth and rub it into the stain in a circular motion. Rinse the area with warm water and dry it off with a soft cloth. This should be able to get rid of any type of foundation stain from your quartz countertop without any issue.
2. How to Remove Lipstick, Mascara, Eye Shadow From Quartz Countertops
Lipstick is a type of makeup that is made up of oil, wax, and mineral pigments. It is one of the most difficult types of makeup to remove from surfaces, including quartz countertops especially if it is a dark color. A similar thing can be said when it comes to makeup like mascara and eyeshadow.
There are various ways to remove lipstick, mascara, and eye shadow stains from your quartz countertops. Here are the methods and the steps you need to take to remove lipstick from your quartz countertops:
Using Hydrogen Peroxide And Baking Soda
This is one of the easiest ways to remove tough lipstick stains from quartz countertops. All you need is hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. Here are the steps:
Step One: Blot
- First, if the lipstick stains are fresh, use a clean, dry cloth to blot up as much of the excess lipstick as possible.
Step Two: Make Your Mixture
- Mix together hydrogen peroxide and baking soda until it forms a paste.
- Sprinkle some baking soda over the lipstick stain on your quartz countertop.
- Once the stain is covered with the baking soda, pour some hydrogen peroxide over the baking soda and mix it over the stain.
- Make sure the mixture is in a pasty consistency so that it can easily adhere to the lipstick stain.
Step Three: Let It Sit
- Let the mixture sit on the stain for about 3-6 hours so that it can work its way into the quartz and break down the oils and waxes in the lipstick.
- So you want to simply leave the mixture over the stain overnight.
Step Four: Remove Baking Soda Residue
- Now use your hand or a rag to remove the baking soda residue.
Step Five: Wipe Down
- To finish, take a clean damp cloth and wipe the area down to remove any leftover residue from the hydrogen peroxide and baking soda mixture.
- Repeat The Process If Necessary
- If the stain is still visible after following the steps above, you can repeat the process until the stain is completely removed.
Using Acetone And Soft Scrub
If you want a much tougher stain remover or if you don’t have hydrogen peroxide and baking soda, acetone can also be used to remove lipstick stains from quartz countertops. However, it is a more harsh chemical so use caution when using it. Here are the steps:
Step One: Blot
- First, if the lipstick stains are fresh, use a clean, dry cloth to blot the stains as much as possible.
Step Two: Wipe With Acetone
- If there is still some stain residue left after blotting, apply a small amount of acetone to a clean cloth and dab at the stained areas.
- Continue to wipe down your quartz countertop with the acetone until the makeup stains are no longer visible or lighten.
Step Three:
- If you still have some traces of lipstick stains, put some soft scrub over the stain, dampen your rag with some acetone and begin to scrub the area.
- Continue doing this until the makeup stain is no longer visible.
Step Four: Clean and Disinfect
- After you have removed the lipstick stains, it’s important to clean and disinfect the area with dish soap and water. This will remove any residual acetone and will make sure your countertop is sparkling clean!
3. How To Remove Cream And Powdered Makeup From Quartz Countertops
There are a few ways to remove cream and powdered makeup from quartz countertops. You can use a commercial cleaner, dish soap, or bleach. But my go-to cleaning solution for makeup stains is rubbing alcohol or acetone and baking soda. These solutions work great on all kinds of makeup, from foundation to concealer, and will work for either cream or powdered makeup.
Using Rubbing Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol is a versatile cleaning solution that can be used to remove a variety of stains from quartz countertops. It’s also one of the most affordable options. To use rubbing alcohol;
Step One:
- Start by mixing it with an equal part of water in a spray bottle.
Step Two:
- Then, spritz the makeup stain and let it sit for a few minutes.
- Then start to scrub the stain with a soft cloth.
Step Three:
- Finally, rinse the countertop with warm water and dry it off.
Using Acetone And Baking Soda
If you’re looking for a more powerful solution, acetone and baking soda can be used to remove cream and powdered makeup stains from quartz countertops. This method is a little more abrasive, so it’s important to be gentle when scrubbing the stain. To use this method;
Step One:
- Start by mixing one part acetone with one part baking soda to form a pasty mixture.
Step Two:
- Then, apply the mixture to the makeup stain and let it sit overnight.
Step Three:
- Finally, use a soft cloth to remove all of the baking soda and acetone residue.
- Now use a mild dish soap solution to wipe the countertop and remove any residual acetone.
- Then rinse the countertop with warm water and dry it off.
Conclusion And Summary
The first step is to identify the type of makeup that caused the stain. Is it foundation, mascara, lipstick, or something else? Once you’ve identified the type of makeup, you can use a corresponding cleaning product to remove the stain.
If the stain is from mascara, you’ll need to use an oil-based makeup remover. Soak a cotton ball in the remover and dab it onto the stain. Let the remover sit on the stain for a few minutes, then wipe it away with a clean cloth. Rinse the area with warm water and dry it off with a soft cloth.
If the stain is from lipstick, try using a toothbrush to scrub it away. Apply some dish soap to the toothbrush and scrub the stain until it’s gone. Rinse the area with warm water and dry it off with a soft cloth.
If all else fails, you can try using a quartz countertop cleaner. These cleaners are specifically designed to remove makeup stains from quartz countertops. Follow the instructions on the bottle to use the cleaner correctly.
Remember, never use harsh chemicals or abrasive materials to clean quartz countertops. These can damage the surface of the countertop and make the stain harder to remove. Always use gentle cleaning products and soft cloths to avoid any damage.
With these tips, you should be able to remove any makeup stains from your quartz countertops. If the stains are still visible after trying these methods, repeat the process until they’re gone. Good luck!