How to Get Stains Out of Quartzite Countertops

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What is more discouraging than looking over your lovely quartzite countertops and finding an unsightly stain? Quartzite is expensive enough already to install, and having a stain blemish your costly countertops puts is not something you should have to live with.

Thankfully, removing stains from quartzite countertops is much easier than one would imagine. That is why we are going to teach you how to get stains out of your quartzite countertops and share a few tips to make sure those stains never come back.

How is Quartzite Made

Quartzite is made when quartz sandstone is heated and compressed under intense pressure from the Earth’s crust. After years of compression, the sandstone fuses together into quartzite, but the stone keeps the many ridges and pits from the sandstone. These pores are why quartzite is prone to staining.

Quartzite Staining

When liquids like lemon juice, water, or paint fall onto a quartzite countertop, the pores absorb the liquid and hold it in the stone. Over time, the tiny minerals and acidic material wears down the quartzite to form etching and staining. The more porous the stone is, the easier it will be for stains to form when liquids fall on the countertop.

How Does Quartzite Stain

When you first purchase quartzite countertops, fabricators will highlight how strong and durable they are. Many companies will brag on how quartzite is as strong as granite and makes an excellent alternative to marble as they share similar colors. What they may not completely tell you is that quartzite is very porous, meaning it is composed of many pores.

Sealing Quartzite

The best way to prevent stains from forming in quartzite is sealing the stone upon purchase. Sealing countertops is the process of adding a protective layer to your countertops to protect from wear and stains.

All fabricator companies have sealants available for purchase with their stone countertops.

How Long Should Quartzite Be Sealed

As specified earlier, quartzite is very porous and should be sealed after installation. Depending on what the fabricators recommend with their products, quartzite should be resealed once or twice a year.

When Should Quartzite Be Sealed

Aside from the routine resealing care, there are several cues that will show you it is time to reseal your quartzite countertops.

     · Surface gets darker around wet areas, meaning the current sealer is fading.

     · Countertops looks duller and losing sheen

     · Sealant is visibly worn, damages or peeling

     · Increase in moisture or humidity in your home

A safe test to see if it is time to reseal your countertops is to pour hot water on the surface and let it sit for 20 minutes. If dark spots start forming, then the quartzite is absorbing liquid and it needs to be resealed.

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Removing Stains on Quartzite

Now that you have a good understanding of how stains form and understand the best method for preventing stains from forming in the first place, it is time to discuss how to actually remove a stain once they appear. There are several methods you can use to clean a stain from quartzite countertops, so try using these simple methods first before trying something stronger.

General Cleaning Stain Removal

This method is primarily used for general cleaning quartzite countertops, but it can also be effective in removing stains that have just formed.

Steps for Stain Removal

Step 1: Combine mild dish soap with bucket warm water.

Step 2: Dip the microfiber cloth into the soapy water mixture, wringing out the excess water into the bucket to prevent spillage.

Step 3: Wipe the stained area of the countertop, applying a small amount of pressure to remove the stain chemicals.

Step 4: Repeat Step 3 until the stain has been removed.

Step 5: Rinse off the countertop with clean warm water, using the dry cloth to completely dry the surface to prevent water staining.

Rubbing Alcohol Stain Removal

Rubbing alcohol is a common household item for cleaning wounds and removing stains. This method should only be used to remove stains if the general cleaning strategy has failed.

Steps for Stain Removal

Step 1: Splash a small amount of rubbing alcohol onto the microfiber cloth.

Step 2: Use the partially soaked microfiber cloth and clean the stained area for 2-3 minutes, applying a small amount of pressure to remove the stain chemicals.

Step 3: Repeat Step 2 until the stain has been completely removed.

Step 4: Rinse off the countertop with clean warm water, using the dry cloth to completely dry the surface to prevent water staining.

Baking Soda + Warm Water Stain Removal

This method is a popular home remedy option for removing stains on quartzite countertops. Baking soda is a safe chemical cleaner for most stone countertops, but caution must be taken because if used too often, can damage your countertops. This baking soda and warm water combination is known as a poultice, or a soft, moist mass of material used to remove chemicals.

Steps for Stain Removal

Step 1: Sprinkle some baking soda into the bowl of warm water.

Step 2: Use the spatula to mix the mixture together, adding in more baking soda until the solution becomes a paste.

Step 3: Use the spatula to place a thick layer of the baking soda paste onto the stained area.

Step 4: Place a layer of plastic wrap on top of the baking soda paste and let it sit for 1-2 days.

Step 5: After waiting the allotted time, use the plastic scraper to gently scrape off the poultice.

Step 6: Pour warm water onto the countertop, washing away all the baking soda residue and finish with a dry soft cloth.

Commercial Stain Remover

If you are not comfortable cleaning stains yourself with home remedies, stone fabricator companies can provide stain removers at their facility which are specifically designed to remove stains without damaging your countertop.

Each company has their own unique brand of stain remover and cleaning agents, so check with your quartzite supplier to see what they recommend.

We would suggest the DuPont Stonetech Countertop Stain Remover as it is an easy-to-use formula with simple instructions to clean any type of stain.

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Quartzite Countertop Tips

Some final tips any homeowner should know to keep their quartzite countertops healthy and shining for a long time.

· Clean your countertops daily.

· Do not let spills sit on the countertop for too long.

· Polish your countertop once a month to keep its sheen with a polishing agent.

· Seal your countertops once or twice a year with a proper sealing agent.

· Use covers like matts or tarps as an added layer of protection for your countertops.

Conclusion

Quartzite countertops are expensive to install, so it would only be fair that they look exquisite no matter the circumstances. Accidents can happen where a stain may form, but by using our methods to remove stains, your quartzite will be shining and healthy for the rest of your life.

Why you can trust Marble.com

When it comes time to get the job done, our fabrication and installation teams have the equipment and expertise it takes to get your project cut and delivered the right way, every time. We at Marble.com are known for our incredibly quick turnaround, as we understand having countertops and other mainstays installed quickly and properly is important to our customers. We value your time, and our goal is to create the best work possible and have you enjoying it as possible.

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