Yes, quartz countertops can get stained. If you're not careful, any number of substances can leave a mark on your countertops. Some common culprits include red wine, coffee, and tomato sauce.
Try using regular cleaners and dishwasher soap
Sometimes an all-purpose cleaner can work on quartz stains with a little patience. Just spray your regular cleaner on the stain. Give it some time to work and buff it out. Repeat this process until the stain is removed.
Quartz countertops are highly stain resistant but it is not true that they do not stain. Just like any type of countertop, quartz is vulnerable to staining from red wine, coffee, tea, tomato sauce, juice and etc. if the spills are not cleaned right away.
So, do quartz countertops stain? They can if they are not properly taken care of. Quartz has been proven to be stain-resistant; however, it is not a stain-proof material. In fact, quartz countertops are susceptible to stains from coffee, tea, wine, and chemical spills.
A stain on quartz can be due to a chemical reaction with the resin, food, drink, or sitting water. These show as either a light spot, appearing bleached, or a dark spot. White or light colored quartz countertops are particularly vulnerable to dark stains from tea. Darker quartz is vulnerable to the “bleaching” affect.
The resin present in Quartz countertops helps it with its non-porous aspect, preventing mold, dirt and food to get between the grains. However the resin in itself can have some chemical reactions with some other products. You see, natural stones stain because they are porous.
Some might notice stains on their white quartz countertop as a result of using the wrong cleaning products. Anything with harsh chemicals, including oil soaps, detergents, paint thinners, and any cleanser containing bleach, could stain or discolor your countertop instead of getting it sparkling clean.
We mentioned that it is important that you use only gentle chemicals on your quartz countertops. Some of these include dish soap, Simple Green, Magic Eraser, denatured alcohol, Rug Doctor Cleaner, or Hope's Surface Cleaner.
Using mild detergent: Small, and easy stains
Mixing a mild detergent (like shampoos, or dish soap) with warm water is the most effective, easy option for cleaning quartz countertops since harsher detergents can damage the surface.
Stains that are dried will often be permanent. If it remains, rub detergent into the tomato stain. Next, soak in warm water for 30 minutes. Rinse well.
Food or Drink Stains
Mix the bleach and water solution: 1/3 cup of bleach to 1 gallon of water. Sponge the bleach and water solution onto the countertop. Let it stand for six minutes. Rinse with clean water.
Quartz countertops can stain if they are exposed to alkaline cleaners, high pH detergents, certain acids, nail polish, wax, makeup, and even some foods.
Conclusion. Clorox wipes should never be used to clean your quartz countertops because the solution used in the wipes can potentially damage the surface. Instead, use warm water and mild soap, white vinegar and water or a quartz cleaner.
A glass cleaner and a non-abrasive nylon scrub pad are used to scrub off the stain. Glass cleaners work perfectly in instances where the stain is mild and only on the surface of the counter. You can also use a magic eraser to remove a red wine stain from a quartz countertop.
Scrubbing too hard can leave a dull surface or cause superficial scratches. Oven cleansers, grill cleaners, paint removers, dishwashing detergent, and other high pH cleaners should not be used on quartz surfaces.
Q. Are there any products I should NOT use to clean my quartz with? A. Yes-you should always avoid abrasive or strong alkaline or acidic cleaners, including bleach, oven cleaners, harsh powders, creams, steel wool, and other similar items.
Windex is considered a base and has a pretty high pH level, which means it could be damaging to quartz. Some cleaners say it's okay to use in small quantities, while others warn against it. For the safest and most sure option to keeping your quartz clean, skip Windex and opt for a mild cleaner like dish soap.
Coffee and Tea The natural pigments that give tea and coffee their dark coloration can create surface stains on quartz surfaces. Similar to wine, you shouldn't leave coffee and tea spills to dry on quartz, but you also don't have to panic each time there's a spill.
Quartz is low maintenance, as it does not need countertop sealing. Quartz counters do not need sealing due to their lack of porosity. Liquids and stains cannot penetrate non-porous materials because they have a built-in seal.
Scheduled Maintenance
Unlike natural stone, quartz does not need sealing or waxing to protect it from stains and mildew, even on a white quartz countertop.
This is primarily because it is more resistant to stains, but this does not mean that it's impossible to stain. Just like every other countertop, quartz is vulnerable to stains, including water stains.
You Can't Set Hot Pans on Them
Although quartz countertops are extremely durable and considered heat-resistant, putting a hot pan right on the surface can damage the material. As with most other countertops, you'll need to use a trivet or stove mitt to protect it, as heat can cause discoloration and/or cracking.
Use baking soda for stubborn stains
Even natural cleaners like vinegar or lemon can be too harsh to use on Quartz or Granite, as they are highly acidic, so they could damage the surface. If you do encounter a stubborn stain, consider using baking soda as a gentler alternative.