Quartz Stains and How to Remove Them

When it comes to removing stains from quartz surfaces, it is important to understand a few basic concepts regarding engineered quartz materials. Additionally, knowing how the stain remover works is important as well. Let's consider what causes stains on quartz stone surfaces and how to remove those stains.

Do Quartz Countertops Stain?

The answer to that question really depends on what you mean by the term "stain". For example, some people use the word stain to mean any kind of discoloration that is not easily removed. Others, use the word stain to describe what happens when a colored liquid penetrates the pores of the stone and discolors it. Let's look briefly at the properties of quartz countertops that make them so stain resistant.

No matter which quartz material you research you will find that virtually all brands of quartz are said to be non-porous. This means that whatever rests on the surface, stays on the surface and does not get "into" the material. Conversely, natural stones are porous and do allow liquids to penetrate these pores, which can discolor the stone.

Stating that quartz is stain resistant however, does not mean that the material is stain proof. As mentioned in the previous paragraph, quartz is stain resistant. Yet before that we said that staining happens in different ways. So let's look at how quartz surfaces can become discolored.

What Causes Quartz to Stain?

Even though quartz is non-porous, it can still stain. It just does not allow the stain causing agent to penetrate the material. Rather, it stays on the surface of the stone. Even though the substance stays on the surface, it can still cause discoloration by other means. Let's look at a couple of these.

Dried On Stains

Most of the substances that come in contact with your countertops either are liquids or contain liquids. However, these liquids contain other substances. The substances in liquids can remain on the surface after the liquid evaporates. This leaves a tougher spot to clean up. These kinds of stains are referred to by quartz manufacturers and suppliers as dried on stains and the have a specific recommended treatment process.

Reactionary Stains or Discolorations

Another type of stain that you may come across on your quartz surface is one that happens when a liquid, whether a cleaner or other substance is outside of the approved pH range for quartz surfaces. Quartz countertops vary in the approved pH ranges, but they are not compatible with alkaline cleansers, high pH detergents, or specific kinds of acids. For this reason, quartz manufacturers and suppliers specify certain chemicals that should not be use on quartz. Additionally, they virtually all say to rinse the quartz surface with water after cleaning. This is because the longer the substance stays in contact with the quartz, the longer it can react. Hence, the more damage it can do. So, let's look at how to remove a stain from quartz.

How to Remove a Stain from Quartz Surfaces

Each type of stain requires a little bit different process to clean it. Let's look at these:

Everyday Spills and Basic Cleaning

As mentioned earlier, most "stains" on quartz are from some liquid on the surface. These are best handled by using a pH neutral cleaner to wipe away these messes or spills. Everyday cleaning and maintenance of quartz surfaces can be realized by following this basic cleaning procedure:

1. Use a pH neutral quartz cleaner to wipe spills and liquids up from the surface as soon as they occur.

Dried On or Tough Stains

Some quartz surface "stains" are a bit trickier. For example, what if you get paint on your quartz surface? Quartz care and maintenance sites will often times recommend the following procedure:

1. Using a straight razor blade, scrape the paint or other substance from the surface.
2. Use a pH neutral quartz cleaner to finish cleaning the surface.

There are other kinds of tough stains too. And if you are going to effectively remove colored stains from quartz surfaces, you might need to use a quartz cleaner with detergent to actually work against the stain.

Removing Lime Scale Stains

Another kind of stain on quartz occurs when lime scale builds up on the surface. This kind of stain requires a tough quartz stain remover. In these cases the procedure is as follows:

1. Test on a small area of the quartz surface at the intended dilution ratio from the ratios below before using on the surface.
2. Dilute the cleaner using the appropriate mix ratio.
3. Apply diluted cleaner to the quartz surface.
4. Leave diluted cleaner on the quartz for appropriate time (from 2-3 minutes to 30 minutes).
5. Rinse thoroughly with water.

Dilution Ratios

For mixing Quartz Ax Cleaner to create a stain remover use one of the following:

• 1:15 - 1 Part Quartz Ax Cleaner to 15 Parts Water
• 1:10 - 1 Part Quartz Ax Cleaner to 10 Parts Water
• 1:5 - 1 Part Quartz Ax Cleaner to 5 Parts Water