When you’ve got countertops with color, identifying what’s stone and what’s stain can be tricky. Just remember, the key to keeping countertops in peak condition and making your investment last is regular maintenance. That includes wiping away splotches from food, cosmetics, or anything else that leaves traces of itself behind. And identifying stains from stone means learning to quickly catch what’s color and what’s ketchup.
So how can you identify stains on granite or quartz countertops?
While it may seem simple, if you’re brand new to granite or quartz, separating stain from stone is harder than it sounds. There’s an art to cleaning natural material and failing to properly wipe away mess can lead to serious countertop damage. So here’s how to identify what’s what and declutter your kitchen, bathroom, and anywhere with countertops worth cleaning.
What To Look For
Depending on the color of your stone, stains are either obvious or blend in. A good rule of thumb is to look for any type of discoloration. Even bright white on an off-white countertop is a telltale sign. It may sound like common sense, but you’d be surprised how much stains begin to look just like the quartz or granite you’ve always had. Especially when days blend together without a cleanup.
Quartz
Let’s back up a moment and talk about material. Granite is porous and requires thorough sealing. Quartz on the other hand lives seal-free and is generally stain-resistant. However, stain-resistant doesn’t mean stain-proof.
Substances from wine to makeup, olive oil, and harsh cleaners are troublemakers for quartz. The harsh acidity causes resin damage and ultimately discoloration. Stains on quartz counters typically look like a bleached-out splotch. When liquids and household items like nail polish or lipstick dry and stick to the quartz surface they cause dried-in stains. These stains are typically more superficial than damaging.
Granite
When it comes to granite, discoloration is still the name of the game. Acidic spills (think lemon, fruit juice, wine, soda) cause dark discoloration. Corrosion caused by acidic mess leads to water spots or ring-like stains. Organic stains from food typically create a pinkish stain while oil stains cause dark brown patches. Stains from rust, copper, or bronze have a dark orange hue.
What To Do
Quartz
So your countertop has stains. What now? If you’ve got quartz counters and you’ve knocked over a latte within the last five minutes, a soft, non-abrasive scrubber and some quartz-safe cleaner should do the trick. What’s considered quartz-safe? If you’re in doubt, the cleaner should specify “quartz safe” or at least have a neutral pH level. Nothing harsh or overly acidic. Mild dish soap and warm water work well for daily cleaning.
For stains that are clearly dried-in, gently scrape with a plastic knife or a straight razor blade. If you’re going straight blade, be very, very careful. The last thing you want when removing a stain is to scratch up your quartz. Remember, there’s a reason cutting boards were invented, and it was to save your quartz and marble countertops.
Granite
Because it’s more porous, granite comes with more stains. Let’s start with organic stains. Typical food stains that cause a pinkish tint can be cleaned with bleach, hydrogen peroxide, and drops of ammonia. Wipe with a wet paper towel or terry cloth. Oil stains should be handled with a mix of baking soda and water or acetone. The combination should be mixed into a pancake-thick batter and applied directly. Let sit for 24 hours and remove with water. Finally, if your granite countertop is stained with rust or copper, these stubborn stains must be removed with a poultice substance.
Overall
Natural materials like quartz and granite are wonderful additions to any common room or master bath. Keep in mind that they are not easy to stain, and the chances are slim. However, while they’ve both got pros and cons, their beauty is unparalleled. And with a little maintenance and a good eye for stains, your counters can stay shining for years to come.
If you have questions about the care of your granite or quartz countertops or are interested in a countertop remodel, the experts at Wisconsin Granite Design can help. Our countertop store in Oak Creek has been installing and remodeling kitchen and bathroom countertops throughout Wisconsin for many years. We pride ourselves on the highest quality work and countertop solution that meets the needs and wants of every budget.
Visit our showroom and browse an impressive selection of quartz and granite slabs that will get you going on your kitchen countertop remodel sooner than later and speak to a design professional about your ideas! Free Estimates