What You’ll Need
- Soft cloth
- Warm water
- Dish soap
- Baking soda
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Non-abrasive scrubbing pad
- Magic eraser
Step 1: Act Quickly
It’s important to act quickly when you notice a stain to prevent it from setting into the quartz. Blot liquid spills immediately with a soft cloth. For dried stains, proceed to step 2 as soon as possible. The quicker you act, the easier the stain will be to remove.
Step 2: Try Dish Soap and Warm Water
For most stains, your first course of action should be a mix of dish soap and warm water. Add a couple drops of mild dish soap like Dawn to a bowl of warm water. Dampen a soft cloth or sponge in the mixture, then gently scrub the stain. The surfactants in the soap will help lift the stain from the quartz. Rinse thoroughly and dry with a soft towel.
Step 3: Use Baking Soda or Hydrogen Peroxide for Stubborn Stains
If dish soap and water don’t remove the stain, try an absorbent baking soda paste or hydrogen peroxide next:
Baking Soda Paste
Mix 2-3 tablespoons of baking soda with just enough water to form a spreadable paste. Apply the paste to the stain and let sit for 5-10 minutes. Scrub gently with a soft cloth or non-abrasive scrubbing pad, then rinse. The baking soda will help draw out some stains from the porous quartz surface.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide can bubble away stubborn stains, including coffee and tea stains. Pour a small amount of 3% hydrogen peroxide directly onto the stain. Let bubble for 2-3 minutes, then wipe away with a damp cloth. Rinse thoroughly.
Step 4: Use a Magic Eraser for Tough Stains
Magic erasers work well for really tough stains on quartz. Dampen the magic eraser then gently rub the stained area using light pressure. Rinse thoroughly after scrubbing. The melamine foam helps lift stains from the quartz without damaging the finish.
Step 5: Repeat Cleaning Attempts
For extremely stubborn stains that resist cleaning, you may need to repeat the cleaning process multiple times. Allow the quartz to fully dry in between cleaning attempts. Repeated gentle scrubbing with dish soap, baking soda, or hydrogen peroxide should eventually lift the stain.
Helpful Tips for Avoiding Stains
- Wipe up spills immediately
- Use cutting boards and trivets to protect the surface
- Clean quartz regularly with a quartz-safe cleaner
- Avoid abrasive cleaners or scrubbing pads
- Re-seal quartz every 1-2 years with a quartz sealer
When to Call a Professional
If you’ve tried these methods repeatedly and a stain persists, contact a professional quartz cleaner or restoration company. They have access to more powerful cleaners that can remove really set-in stains without damaging the quartz. For severe stains, they also have the ability to sand and re-polish the affected area of quartz.
With the right cleaning methods and quick action, you can remove most stains from quartz countertops. Just remember to be gentle in your approach. Aggressive scrubbing or harsh cleaners can damage the quartz and make stains harder to remove. With some persistence and the techniques above, your quartz countertops will look beautiful again.