Quartz countertops are a popular choice for many homeowners because they have so many benefits. They are durable, easy to clean, and very attractive. However, quartz is not impervious to stains. So what can stain quartz countertops?
Below you will find an overview of the types of things that can stain them as well as how you might be able to recover from these stains.
- Oil and Grease
- Ink And Marker Pen
- Red Wine or Grape Juice
- Tea, Coffee, Cola Drinks
- Abrasive Cleaners
- Rust or Metal Stains
- Paint Thinner or Solvent Stains
- Hot Items
- Hard Water
If you came for a quick answer, there you have it. To learn more about how the above-mentioned items stain quartz countertops, keep reading this article.
1. Oil and Grease
Oil and grease from cooking is the number one culprit of staining quartz countertops. This oil and grease can eventually seep into your stone, leaving an ugly stain that is difficult to remove.
Always wipe down your counters with a paper towel or rag that has been soaked in warm soapy water immediately after cooking to prevent oil stains.
Oil and grease are very difficult to remove from most countertops, including quartz. However, there is a chance that you can get them out if the oil stain is fresh and you immediately wipe it off. If the stain has already been set, though, then there’s a very good chance that you might not be able to remove it.
How To Remove Oil & Grease Stains From Quartz
In many cases, you’ll have a better chance of removing the oil from your quartz countertops if you use a steam cleaner. You can use the same steps to remove oil stains from your quartz countertops that you would for removing them from wood or laminate.
In some cases, you might be able to get an oil stain out of quartz by using a poultice. A poultice is a mixture of baking soda and water that you apply to the stain.
You then cover it with plastic wrap and let it sit for several hours or overnight. After the mixture has had enough time to soak into the stain, you can scrub it with a soft-bristled brush and wipe off the residue with a wet towel.
Should you find that your stone has become stained, you can also clean the surface of your quartz with a commercial cleaner like CLR to remove oil and grease. If
Finally, if your oil stain is on the edge of your countertop, you might be able to remove it by gently sanding off the top layer of stone. If you are not comfortable with sanding your countertop, though, then skip this method.
2. Ink And Marker Pen
Ink and marker pen stains are a common issue for homeowners because children tend to use these things on surfaces that they shouldn’t. While quartz is a very durable material, it can be scratched or stained by ink pens.
If you have children who are just learning to write, then it’s a good idea to keep them away from your quartz countertops. Ink and marker stains are very difficult to remove from most surfaces, and they can be a challenge to get out of quartz as well.
How To Remove Ink & Marker Stains From Quartz Countertops?
Should you find that your stone has been stained by a marker pen, then the first thing to do is remove as much of the ink as possible.
If the stain is small, then you can try using a nail polish remover to get the ink out. The nail polish removers will be able to remove the ink stain because they have chemicals like acetone that dissolve the ink.
Another easy hack that works perfectly for removing small ink and maker stains from quartz is by gently rubbing a pencil eraser over the stain in small, circular motions.
This is effective because the eraser will be able to pick up the ink and remove it from your counter.
After you’ve removed as much of the ink from your quartz countertop, then you can make a poultice to remove the remainder of the ink.
To make a poultice, mix a small amount of baking soda and water together until it has formed a paste. Apply the mixture to your quartz countertop and cover with plastic wrap. Let it sit for several hours or overnight.
After the poultice has had enough time to soak into the stain, you can scrub it with a soft-bristled brush to remove the remaining ink.
After you have removed as much of the stain from your quartz countertop as possible, you can use a commercial cleaner like CLR to remove the rest.
3. Red Wine or Grape Juice
Red wine and grape juice stains are some of the most common types of stains that homeowners have to deal with in their quartz countertops.
These types of stains can be problematic because they are dark in color, acidic, and they also tend to settle into the stone which makes them difficult to remove.
While these types of stains are more difficult to remove than most, you can still do so with the right tools and products.
How To Remove Red Wine or Grape Juice Stains From Quartz Countertops
One of the most effective ways to remove red wine and grape juice stains from quartz countertops is by using a poultice. As mentioned before, a poultice is made up of water and baking soda, so it’s safe to use on your stone. Using poultice to remove red wine or grape juice stains from quartz countertops is the same as using it to remove ink stains.
You can also use white vinegar to remove wine and grape juice stains from quartz countertops. Since vinegar is an acid, it’s very effective at breaking down substances like wine and grape juice which makes them easier to remove.
To use vinegar, mix two cups of water in a spray bottle with one cup of white distilled vinegar. Spray the mixture directly onto the stained area and let it soak in for several hours.
Once your vinegar mixture has had a chance to seep into the stain, you can scrub it with a soft-bristled brush while rinsing your stone at the same time.
After you have removed as much of the stain as possible, use a commercial cleaner or mild dish soap and warm water to remove any traces of it that remain.
4. Tea, Coffee, Cola Drinks
Tea, coffee, cola drinks, and other dark-colored beverages can also leave stains on your quartz countertops if you don’t clean them up right away.
This is because the color of the beverage, like red wine and grape juice stains, is very dark in nature and although they may not contain acids and they are not acidic themselves, they can still leave dark stains on your stone.
How To Remove Tea, Coffee, Cola Drinks Stains From Quartz Countertops
The first thing to do after spilling a dark beverage on your counter is wiped it off as quickly as possible with a damp, clean rag.
After you’ve tried to remove the stain by wiping it away with a wet cloth but you still see remnants of the stain, then you will need to use a poultice.
One of the best ways to remove tea and other dark-colored beverage stains from quartz countertops is by using a mixture of dish soap, hydrogen peroxide, and baking soda.
To make the mixture, combine one teaspoon of dish soap with two teaspoons of baking soda and a tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide. Mix the ingredients together into a paste-like consistency and apply it to the stain.
Let the paste sit for several hours or overnight before scrubbing with a soft-bristled brush until the stain is removed.
After you have scrubbed the mixture into the stone, use a commercial cleaner and warm water to remove any remaining traces of it.
Another effective way to remove tea, coffee, and other dark-colored beverage stains from quartz countertops is by using a commercial cleaner.
However, if you choose this method, you will have to be very thorough in your cleaning. Otherwise, the dark stains may reappear.
One of my favorite commercial quartz countertop cleaners that can remove tea and coffee stains is the Culligan Quartz Countertop Cleaner.
This countertop cleaner from Culligan is designed to remove red wine, coffee, tea, and other dark stains.
It’s a non-toxic product that’s safe for use on most countertops, but it’s not recommended to be used with marble.
5. Abrasive Cleaners
Abrasive cleaners like scouring powders, steel wool pads, and SOS pads can also leave dark stains on your light-colored quartz countertops if you don’t clean up the mess quickly.
This is because abrasive cleaners contain small particles of aluminum oxide or other materials that can be very damaging to stone surfaces.
To prevent abrasive cleaners from damaging your countertops, it’s important to thoroughly clean the surface once you have used one on a stain.
In some cases, the abrasive cleaners will not cause the stains but instead weaken the surface of the quartz countertop making it easy to get stains in the future.
How To Deal With Abrasive Cleaners Effects On Quartz Countertops
To remove a dark stain caused by an abrasive cleaner, you will need to use a poultice or commercial cleaner in addition to warm water.
A poultice can be made by mixing one part dish soap with two parts hydrogen peroxide and adding baking soda until the mixture forms a paste.
Apply it to the stain and scrub with an old toothbrush until you’re able to remove it completely.
If the poultice doesn’t work, you can also use a commercial cleaner like Culligan Quartz Countertop Cleaner.
Use a soft cloth or paper towel to apply the cleaner and work it into any remaining stains. Rinse with warm water until you have removed all of the cleaners.
You should always clean up any spills as quickly as possible when working with dark-colored liquids and stones because they can cause permanent stains.
6. Rust or Metal Stains (from tools, etc.)
One of the most difficult and inconvenient types of stains to remove from quartz countertops is rust or metal stains.
These types of stains are caused by metal tools, appliances, or even drops of water that have dried on your quartz countertop.
This type of stain can be a pain in the neck because if you try to scrub them off with an abrasive sponge or brush, the marks may get worse.
How To Remove Rust Or Metal Stains From Quartz Countertops
If you are experiencing this problem with your quartz countertops, then you will need to use a poultice that has an acid-base.
One of the best acids for removing rust stains from quartz countertops is hydrochloric acid.
To use this ingredient, mix with baking soda to make a paste and apply it to the area with rust stains.
Once you have applied the paste, allow it to sit for several hours or overnight before scrubbing off any remaining residue with a soft-bristled brush.
Once you have scrubbed the rust stains away, use a commercial cleaner and water to remove any remaining traces of it.
7. Paint Thinner or Solvent Stains
Another thing that can stain your quartz countertops is paint thinner or solvent.
This type of strain occurs because when you mistakenly pour paint thinner or other solvents onto your countertops, the liquid seeps into the surface of the stone which can lead to it getting stained.
The challenge with this stain is that it can be very difficult to remove because the stains are usually in a thin layer between two layers of quartz.
How To Remove Paint Thinner Or Solvent Stains From Quartz Countertops
If you are trying to remove paint thinner or solvent stains from your quartz countertop, then it is best to use a commercial cleaner that is designed with strong solvents.
After you have applied the solvent, allow it to sit for about 30 minutes before you scrub away at the stain with a soft-bristled brush.
Once you have removed as much of the solvent and paint thinner as you can, use a wet cloth with warm water to remove any leftover residue.
Paint thinner or solvent stains are different than other types of dark-colored stains because they can also be removed by using a poultice that contains a mild acid.
To do this, mix one-part paint thinner with ten parts hydrogen peroxide and add baking soda until you form a paste.
Apply it to the stain and allow it to sit for about 15 minutes before scrubbing away at the area with a soft-bristled brush.
Once you have removed as much of the paint thinner or solvent as possible, use a wet cloth with warm water to remove any leftover residue.
8. Hot Items
Other types of stains that are difficult to remove from quartz countertops can be caused by very hot items. This will typically come from hot pans, hot baking sheets, and other hot items that are placed directly on the surface of the quartz countertop.
These stains normally occur because quartz is bonded using resins that can be affected by heat upon direct contact.
How To Remove Stains Caused By Hot Items From Quartz Countertops
The best way to prevent this from happening is by simply not placing any hot items directly on the quartz countertop.
However, if you do happen to get a hot item stain on your quartz, you might have to get a professional to have a look like these types of stains are usually permanent.
9. Hard Water
Finally, another thing you probably did not know that could stain your quartz countertops is hard water.
This type of stain comes about because when you use hard water, calcium and magnesium minerals will seep into the surface of your quartz countertops.
The good news is that this type of stain is not difficult to remove especially if you know how to safely remove it.
How To Remove Hard Water Stains From Quartz Countertops
If you are dealing with stains caused by hard water, then you can use vinegar to remove hard water stains.
Pour the white distilled vinegar directly onto the countertop and allow it to sit for about 30 minutes before you wipe it away with a wet cloth.
The next step is to use baking soda and hydrogen peroxide in order to neutralize the vinegar.
Pour a tablespoon of baking soda directly onto the countertop and then add hydrogen peroxide until it forms a paste.
Allow it to sit for about 15 minutes before you scrub the baking soda and hard water stains away with a soft brush.
Once you have removed as much of the baking soda and hard water stains, rinse with warm water.
Finally, you should use a commercial cleaner to thoroughly clean your quartz countertops.
This is the only way to ensure that you have removed all of the hard water stains from your quartz countertops.
Once you have completed these steps, your quartz countertops will look new and there is no need to worry about hard water stains anymore.
FAQ’s
Q. Do I have to be concerned about quartz countertops if I live in a tropical climate?
A. No, you do not need to worry because quartz countertops are resistant to heat, humidity, and even insects. All you have to do is to ensure that you clean your quartz countertops regularly.
Q. How do I remove dark-colored stains from my quartz countertops?
A. If your quartz countertops have dark-colored stains (such as red wine), then you can use a poultice that contains hydrogen peroxide and baking soda to remove the stain.
You should mix ten parts hydrogen peroxide and one part paint thinner or solvent before applying it directly onto the stain.
You should allow it to sit for about 15 minutes before scrubbing the area with a soft-bristled brush until you have removed as much of the stain as possible.
Once you have removed the majority of this dark-colored stain, use a wet cloth with warm water to ensure that you remove the hydrogen peroxide and paint thinner or solvent.
Now, use a commercial cleaner in order to clean your quartz countertops and make sure to dry them completely.
Q. How do I clean under my quartz countertops?
A. You should use a damp cloth to clean under your quartz countertops so that you can remove any dirt or debris caught underneath.
If there are stubborn stains, then you can use a commercial cleaner with a scrub brush to remove these stains.
Q. How do I clean oil and grease on my quartz countertops?
A. If you get oil or grease on your quartz countertops, then you can use mineral spirits to clean them.
Pour the mineral spirits directly onto the countertop and allow it to sit for about 30 minutes before you wipe away the mineral spirits with a wet cloth.
Finally, clean your quartz countertops with a commercial cleaner and dry completely.