Is It Possible to Stain Quartz?

Quartz slabs are quickly becoming the favorite countertop construction material among North American homeowners who wish to improve the look of their kitchens and bathrooms.

Not having to constantly worry about water stains is one reason quartz is popular, and not having to bother with frequent sealant applications is a clear advantage of this material.

While quartz doesn’t stain as easily as natural stone, it shouldn’t be considered completely stain-proof. Quartz slabs and tiles can stain under some circumstances, and it’s important to learn about how this can happen and what to do about it.

Dulling Vs. Staining

In some cases, homeowners confuse dull spots on their quartz surfaces with stains. A dark quartz slab that’s honed to a polished finish may appear to be stained if a section looks duller than the rest of the surface. If you still have the quartz manufacturer warranty document, there’s a good chance it will list various substances that can disrupt the uniform glossy look of quartz. In some cases, these include drain cleaners, oily soaps, paint thinner, and others that can form a patina, which means the surface is in need of deep cleaning.

Hard Water and Limescale Buildup

The almost negative absorption rate of quartz gives homeowners peace of mind. You can safely install quartz slabs and panels in a shower stall without having to worry about water stains forming because you’ve neglected to reseal. However, there’s a particular situation where water appears to stain quartz, and it’s related to high mineral content. Limescale spots may look like stains, but they’re actually minerals building up on the surface, which you can cleanusing a non-scratch scrubbing pad and quartz cleaner such as Granite Gold Quartz Brite®.

Sodium Hydroxide and Permanent Markers

There are two surefire ways to stain quartz permanently: one is by accidentally applying indelible marker, and the other is by spilling sodium hydroxide on the surface. The problem with permanent markers is that they contain resins similar to those used to manufacture quartz. Sodium hydroxide, which is commonly referred to as caustic soda, is known to dissolve silicon dioxide, which happens to be the prime mineral contained by the crushed stone fragments used to manufacture quartz.

Removing Stains from Quartz Surfaces

The low porosity of quartz can prevent stubborn stains, but there may be times when surface stains form. Let's say you forgot to clean the kitchen countertops after preparing an elaborate meal. Don’t be alarmed if you notice food stains that don’t come off after wiping. Simply soak the spot with Granite Gold Quartz Brite® and proceed to scrub away with a non-scratch scrubbing pad.

However, if there’s a more difficult stain, seek a professional stone restoration specialist with the proper tools and training.

Interested in learning more about caring for quartz? Reach out to Granite Gold® today. We also carry a wide array of products that are safe to use on granite, marble, travertine, and other types of natural stone. Call us today at 1-800-475-STONE (7866). You can also find stores near you that carry Granite Gold® brand stone care products using our Store Locator.