Quartz countertops are popular options for modern kitchens because of their durability, aesthetics, and low maintenance. However, like any surface, quartz can still get stained over time with spills and day-to-day use. The good news is that quartz is non-porous, so stains don’t soak in like they would with natural stone. With the right cleaning methods, you can often remove stains from quartz yourself without professional help. This guide will cover tips for preventing stains, how to clean common quartz countertop stains, and when to call in a pro for stain removal.
Preventing Stains on Quartz Countertops
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure when it comes to quartz countertop stains. Here are some habits to get into that can help avoid stains in the first place:
Clean Spills Quickly
Don’t let spills sit on quartz. Wipe them up right away before they have a chance to set in. Pay particular attention to spills like wine, coffee, and oil-based products.
Use Cutting Boards
Avoid cutting directly on your quartz countertop. Always use a cutting board for food prep, which protects the surface from knicks and absorbed staining from foods.
Clean with Quartz-Safe Products
Clean quartz regularly using a gentle soap and water or quartz-specific cleaning sprays. Avoid abrasive cleaners that could wear down the finish over time.
Reseal Quartz Yearly
Resealing quartz countertops every 12 months will help maintain the protective finish. Ask your installer what they recommend for keeping quartz sealed.
Don’t Expose Quartz to Heat
Avoid putting hot pans, bakeware, and other heated items directly on quartz. Always use trivets or hot pads. Heat can damage the solid epoxy resin.
With proper care and maintenance, you can prevent many stains from occurring on quartz countertops. But accidents still happen. Here’s how to tackle some common quartz stain culprits.
How to Remove Dried Food Stains from Quartz
Foods like grape juice, tomato sauce, wine, coffee, and oil can leave behind stubborn stains on quartz if left to dry. Here’s how to lift dried food stains:
Step 1: Scrape Off Food Debris
Use a plastic scraper or spatula to gently lift off any chunks of dried food. Avoid using metal utensils that could scratch quartz.
Step 2: Spray with All-Purpose Cleaner
Spritz the stain generously with an all-purpose, non-abrasive cleaner. Let it sit for 3-5 minutes.
Step 3: Scrub with Soft Cloth or Sponge
Gently scrub the stained area using a soft cloth, sponge, or non-abrasive scrubbing pad. Apply light pressure.
Step 4: Rinse Clean
Rinse the quartz thoroughly with clean water to remove all cleaner residue. Dry with a soft towel.
Step 5: Use Baking Soda Paste for Stubborn Stains
For any remaining stain, make a paste with baking soda and water. Spread onto stain and let sit 20-30 minutes before scrubbing and rinsing clean. The baking soda will help lift more stubborn stains without damaging quartz.
Removing Grease Stains from Quartz Countertops
Greasy cooking splatters can leave oily residues and yellow stains on quartz over time. Here are tips for cleaning greasy quartz countertops:
Step 1: Blot Excess Grease
First, blot up any excess grease from the quartz using paper towels. Try not to smear grease around.
Step 2: Degrease with Dish Soap
Apply a few drops of dish soap directly onto the greasy stain. Use a damp sponge to work the soap into the stain. Let it sit 2-3 minutes.
Step 3: Scrub and Rinse
Scrub the soapy area lightly then rinse clean. Repeat as needed for stubborn grease.
Step 4: Disinfect with Vinegar
Once grease is removed, disinfect the area with undiluted white vinegar, which will help remove grease residue and bacteria.
Step 5: Dry Immediately
Make sure to dry quartz thoroughly so water spots don’t develop.
Cleaning Dried Cement Stains on Quartz
Quartz countertops can get stained during kitchen remodeling projects if dried splatters of grout, thinset, or cement are left behind. Use these steps to remove dried cement stains from quartz.
Step 1: Chip Away Excess Cement
Carefully chip away any dried chunks of cement with a plastic scraper. Avoid metal tools.
Step 2: Apply Poultice Paste
Make a poultice paste with dish soap, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide. Apply a thick layer over the stain.
Step 3: Cover with Plastic Wrap
Cover the poultice paste with plastic wrap and let sit for 24 hours. This will help draw out the stain.
Step 4: Scrub and Rinse
After 24 hours, remove the plastic and scrub the area with a soft cloth. Rinse thoroughly.
Step 5: Use Vinegar Rinse
Mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spritz over the area and let sit several minutes before one final rinse.
Step 6: Reseal Quartz
Once the area is dry, reseal the quartz countertop to protect the finish.
Removing Rust Stains from Quartz Countertops
Rust stains can occur on quartz countertops when metal items like cookware or tools are left sitting. Rust can be stubborn, but these steps can help remove it:
Step 1: Remove Excess Rust
Wipe away any loose rust powder with a dry cloth. Don’t smear it around.
Step 2: Make Rust Remover Paste
Mix cream of tartar with hydrogen peroxide until it forms a paste. Apply paste to rust stain.
Step 3: Cover and Let Sit Overnight
Cover the paste with plastic wrap and allow the mixture to sit on the stain for 8-12 hours. This gives time to react with the rust.
Step 4: Scrub and Rinse
Use a soft cloth or non-abrasive pad to gently scrub the area, then rinse thoroughly.
Step 5: Use Oxalic Acid for Stubborn Rust
For any remaining stain, apply a paste of oxalic acid powder. Let it sit 1-2 hours before scrubbing and rinsing clean.
Step 6: Reseal the Area
Once rust is removed, reseal the section of quartz countertop to protect the surface.
Cleaning Dried Candle Wax from Quartz
Accidental candle spills can drip wax all over quartz countertops that hardens into stubborn buildup. Try this method to remove dried wax:
Step 1: Freeze the Wax
Place an ice cube on the wax buildup for 1-2 minutes. This will cause it to harden and crack slightly.
Step 2: Scrape Away Excess Wax
Use a plastic paint scraper to gently pry off any large chunks of frozen wax.
Step 3: Boil Water and Pour Over Wax
Bring water to a boil. Carefully pour the hot water over the wax stain. This will help melt and lift the wax.
Step 4: Wipe Away with Soft Cloth
Once wax is melted, use a soft cloth to immediately wipe away the softened wax while it’s still warm.
Step 5: Clean Residue with Dish Soap
If any wax residue remains, use a few drops of dish soap on a damp sponge to remove.
Step 6: Rinse and Dry
Rinse the area well with clean water and thoroughly dry with a soft towel.
Removing Dried Paint from Quartz Countertops
During home improvement projects, accidental drips and splatters of latex paint can stain quartz counters. Here’s how to remove dried latex paint:
Step 1: Scrape Off Paint Chips
Use a plastic paint scraper to gently lift away any dried chips or splatters of paint. Avoid using metal scrapers.
Step 2: Apply Paint Thinner
Use a small amount of paint thinner or mineral spirits on a cloth. Test on an inconspicuous spot first. Gently rub paint stain.
Step 3: Rinse Clean
Once paint is removed, immediately rinse the area well with clean water. Make sure to remove all the thinner.
Step 4: Clean with Dish Soap
If any faint stain remains, use a few drops of dish soap on a damp sponge to clean the area. Rinse again.
Step 5: Dry and Reseal
Dry quartz thoroughly with a soft towel. Reseal the countertop if needed to protect the finish.
Removing Ink Stains from Quartz Countertops
Pen and marker ink can stain quartz countertops if left on the surface. But these steps can help remove ink stains:
Step 1: Spray Hairspray on Ink
Apply a generous layer of hairspray directly onto the ink stain. Let it soak in for 2-3 minutes.
Step 2: Scrub with Soft Cloth or Sponge
Use a soft, non-abrasive cloth or sponge to lightly scrub the ink stain, lifting away the hairspray.
Step 3: Use Rubbing Alcohol
If ink remains, apply rubbing alcohol to a cloth and gently rub the stain. This can help dissolve ink residue.
Step 4: Rinse Clean
Rinse the area thoroughly with clean water to remove all hairspray or rubbing alcohol residue.
Step 5: Use Baking Soda Paste
For stubborn ink stains, make a paste with baking soda and water. Let it sit on the stain 20-30 minutes, then scrub clean.
Step 6: Reseal Area
Once the ink stain is removed, reseal that section of the quartz countertop to protect it.
Cleaning Dried Blood Stains from Quartz
Cutting accidents can lead to dried blood staining quartz countertops. Get out blood stains with these steps:
Step 1: Rinse with Cold Water
Rinse away any dried blood with cold water, which can help lift the stain from quartz.
Step 2: Sprinkle with Salt
Pour salt directly onto the blood stain. Use enough to coat the entire area.
Step 3: Scrub with Lemon Juice
Squeeze fresh lemon juice onto the salt-coated stain. Let sit 1-2 minutes. Then scrub using half a lemon.
Step 4: Rinse Clean
Once the stain fades, thoroughly rinse away all lemon juice and salt with clean water.
Step 5: Disinfect with Hydrogen Peroxide
To fully disinfect the area, spray hydrogen peroxide. Let bubble up 5 minutes before rinsing again.
The acidity in the lemon juice and salt scrub helps dissolve and loosen dried blood so it can be lifted from quartz. Just be sure to reseal the area afterwards.
Removing Hard Water Stains from Quartz
Over time, minerals in hard water can leave behind cloudy limescale buildup on quartz. Try this to remove:
Step 1: Fill Spray Bottle with Vinegar
Pour undiluted white vinegar into a spray bottle. Spritz the hard water stains liberally.
Step 2: Let Vinegar Sit 5 Minutes
Allow the vinegar to soak for 5 minutes so it can react with the mineral deposits.
Step 3: Scrub with Soft Cloth or Sponge
Gently scrub the vinegar-soaked area using a soft cloth or non-abrasive sponge.
Step 4: Rinse Clean
Once the stain appears gone, thoroughly rinse away all vinegar with clean water.
Step 5: Dry and Reseal
Dry the countertop fully with a soft towel. Reapply quartz sealer to help repel hard water stains.
The acetic acid in vinegar dissolves alkaline-based hard water stains. Just avoid getting vinegar on marble, which is acid-sensitive.
When to Call a Professional for Quartz Stain Removal
For most stains, you can clean quartz yourself using the methods in this guide. But for more stubborn stains that resist at-home treatments, call an experienced quartz pro. Professionals have access to more heavy duty cleaners that can tackle:
- Tough grease/oil stains that soak deep into quartz
- Old stains that have set in the quartz for a long time
- Staining across large sections of countertop
- Etching or scuffs in the quartz surface
- Suspected chemical/solvent stains
Quartz countertop professionals also have experience addressing stains without accidentally damaging the finish during cleaning. It’s worth calling them for a tune-up if your quartz has multiple stains that won’t budge.
Maintaining Your Quartz Countertops
While quartz stands up well to daily use, stains are inevitable over the lifetime of your countertops. By using the right cleaning methods and taking steps to protect quartz, you can keep countertops looking like new for years.
To maintain stain-free quartz:
- Seal quartz counters every 12 months minimum
- Immediately clean spills when they occur
- Use trivets and cutting boards to protect surface
- Stick to gentle cleaners approved for quartz
- Reseal quartz after cleaning any stains
With proper care and prompt stain removal, your beautiful quartz countertops will stay looking pristine and upgrade your kitchen for decades to come!
Frequently Asked Questions About Cleaning Quartz Countertops
Here are answers to some common questions on cleaning and removing stains from quartz countertops:
What’s the best way to regularly clean quartz counters?
For routine cleaning, use a mild soap and water. You can also use quartz-specific sprays. Avoid abrasive cleaners. Wipe up spills quickly before they set in.
How can I remove dried food stains from my quartz?
Scrape off chunks, spray on an all-purpose cleaner, let sit 3-5 minutes, then scrub with a soft cloth/sponge. Use a baking soda paste for stubborn stains.
What should I use to clean grease stains off my quartz?
Apply dish soap, let it sit 2-3 minutes, then scrub and rinse clean. Follow up by disinfecting with undiluted vinegar. Dry thoroughly.
What’s the method for getting rid of dried cement on quartz?
Carefully chip away dried cement chunks, make a poultice paste to draw out the stain, cover for 24 hours, then scrub clean. Rinse with a vinegar solution afterwards.
How can I remove rust stains from my quartz countertop?
Make a paste of cream of tartar and hydrogen peroxide. Cover rust stain and let sit 8-12 hours before scrubbing clean. Use oxalic acid for stubborn rust.
What’s the trick to cleaning up dried candle wax?
Freeze wax with an ice cube, scrape away chunks, pour boiling water to melt wax, then wipe away with a soft cloth while still warm.
My quartz has red wine stains. How do I clean them?
Try using baking soda paste. For tough wine stains, use a vinegar and salt paste to scrub clean, then rinse thoroughly. Reseal afterwards.
Are there stains that may require a professional cleaner for quartz?
Yes, for stains that don’t respond to DIY methods or cover large areas, pros have access to more powerful cleaners. They can also address damage like etching.
Conclusion
Quartz countertops are prone to stains with daily kitchen use over time. But with the proper cleaning techniques, you can often remove them yourself. Just be sure to address spills and stains on quartz promptly. For more stubborn stains, don’t hesitate to call in a professional quartz cleaner. With the right maintenance, your quartz counters will stay looking like new for many years.