Quartz countertops are engineered stone that combines 90% ground quartz and 8-10% resins, polymers, and pigments. Quartz is a popular choice for kitchen and bathroom countertops due to its durability and ease of maintenance. A lot of homeowners and designers also like the versatility of its color and design. Since it is a manufactured stone, it can come in all sorts of colors and patterns, making it aesthetically suitable for any kitchen.
However, the most popular quartz countertops colors are of the light variety. This is because light-colored quartz countertops will suit any design and color scheme.
Unlike quartz, Quartzite is a unique, mined, and naturally occurring rock that is mined in blocks and cut into one-of-a-kind slabs that are then fabricated into countertops. Often, quartz is misrepresented as an “all-natural stone” when the facts are only “Quartzite” is 100% natural.
DO QUARTZ COUNTERTOPS STAIN?
Quartz and Quartzite countertops are highly stain resistant, but it is not true that they do not stain. Like any countertop, quartz and Quartzite is vulnerable to staining from red wine, coffee, tea, tomato sauce, juice, etc., if the spills are not cleaned up right away. But unlike granite (which is a natural stone), the staining that occurs in quartz does not happen because the countertop surface absorbs the staining liquid.
The staining occurs when the liquid reacts to the resin, one of the quartz countertops’ main components. Resins help make quartz countertops non-porous, but some cleaning agents, heat, and chemicals can damage the resins.
HOW TO PREVENT STAINS ON QUARTZ COUNTERTOPS
Stains on quartz and Quartzite countertop surfaces are easily preventable. Just clean the spills immediately, make sure your countertop is sealed with a quality sealer, and use protective surfaces like trays, coasters, trivets, and cutting boards.
Stains can also occur on white or light-colored quartz and Quartzite countertops due to improper cleaning. Don’t clean your countertop using cleaners that have bleach or vinegar, and keep solvents such as detergent and paint thinners away from the quartz surface.
HOW TO CLEAN WHITE QUARTZ COUNTERTOPS
Quartz countertops may be stain and heat “resistant,” but they still need proper maintenance to keep their beauty for life.
REGULAR CLEANING
Quartz countertops need to be cleaned routinely:
Wipe with mild dish soap – Harsh cleaning agents have a high chance of reacting to the resin on the countertop surface and will cause the quartz to stain. Stay away from store-bought cleaners and use cleaning solutions specifically designed for quartz, such as Pro Cleaning Products Quartz Countertop Cleaner or Quartz NaoGuard Protection Kit. These easy-to-use protectors will get your quartz countertop looking sparkly clean in no time.
Use the proper cloth – Make sure that the cloth you are using to wipe your countertop is not in any way abrasive as it could permanently damage the surface of the quartz. A microfiber cloth is recommended for cleaning quartz countertops because it is highly absorbent and won’t leave watermarks.
Wipe spills immediately – Always clean up spills as soon as they happen. It’s always a good idea to clean up any spills before they have a chance to set up.
EXTREME CASES
Daily wiping your countertops and paying attention to spills will fulfill its basic needs. But once in a while, you will need a professional to perform routine maintenance such as polishing and resealing.
If you live in SW Florida, Tru-Clean Surface Care is the “cleaner of choice” to many of the area’s leading interior designers, stone fabricators, stone retailers, and homeowners desirous of a quality cleaning or sealing.
HOW TO REMOVE STAINS FROM QUARTZ COUNTERTOPS
No matter how much you take care of your countertops, stains are sometimes inevitable.
Most stains on quartz are due to liquid that sat for too long on the stone’s surface, and most experts recommend bringing in a professional. For those weekend warriors, Pro Cleaning Products offers a product called “Wet Poultice” designed to remove oil and organic stains from natural stone and quartz surfaces. Wet Poultice is used by stone fabricators, retailers, and stone cleaning companies throughout the United States and is now available to the public.
A significant problem for stone surfaces that are not sealed is water stains. Staining occurs as a result of minerals in water such as calcium or limescale. When water evaporates, these minerals are left behind, creating chalky stains that won’t wipe away.
The only way to remove water stains is to scrape off the deposits as much as possible with a plastic spatula. You can also use steel wool but make sure to use light-handed circular motions, then follow up with a dry cloth to wipe off the loosened buildup. Another trick is to apply Wet Poultice and follow the manufacturer’s guidelines.
Another effective way to remove water stains is to mix baking soda with water until it becomes a paste-like consistency. Then pour the mixture on the stain and rub it in with a soft cloth.
COMMON MISTAKES WHEN CLEANING WHITE QUARTZ COUNTERTOPS
Now that you know how to remove stains from quartz and Quartzite let’s discuss the most common mistakes people make when cleaning white or light-colored countertops
Using acidic and alkaline cleaners – Acidic and alkaline cleaners will break down the bonds between resin and quartz and permanently damage the surface.
Using metallic objects to scrape the surface – Don’t use sharp metallic objects if you need to scrape off the gunk on your quartz or Quartzite countertop. Instead, use plastic objects such as a plastic knife or scraper.
Using hot water to clean the surface – Make sure to use water at room temperature or only mildly warm to avoid damaging the resin.
Not wiping spills immediately – This is the most common reason for stains. Always wipe away spills as soon as they happen.
CONCLUSION
Stains can be removed from natural stone surfaces, including quartz and Quartzite countertops, but the whole process can easily be avoided by prevention and a quality stone sealer.
Pro Cleaning Products is a national distributor of the industries leading StonePro line of professional-grade natural stone cleaning, sealing, and repair solutions. Our sister company, Tru-Clean Surface Care, exclusively uses StonePro products in hundreds of homes annually to clean, repair, and seal commercial and residential countertops and natural stone flooring, pool decks, and shower walls.
For more information about removing stains from quartz and Quartzite countertops or other natural stone surfaces, please visit www.procleaningproducts.com or call us any time at 877-879-2022.
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