Do Black Quartz Countertops Stain?

Black quartz countertops can add a feeling of richness and luxury to your kitchen. This is true whether you choose solid black quartz countertops or something veined.

But do quartz countertops stain?

Today, we’ll tackle this question to help you determine whether black quartz countertops are durable enough to include in your kitchen.

Do Quartz Countertops Stain?

Quartz resists stains much better than natural stone surfaces like granite and marble. That doesn’t mean it’s stain-proof, though. To the contrary, quartz can stain if you leave spills unattended for too long.

Thankfully, quartz’s durable finish means the stains won’t get as deep as they would with porous natural stone. As a result, you can remove the stains much easier. We’ll share some tips for doing that shortly.

Do White Quartz Countertops Stain Easier?

White quartz countertops are generally just as durable as those that come in other hues. One key culprit that leads to more easily-spotted discoloration on white surfaces, however, is the use of improper cleaning agents.

You should avoid cleaners that contain strong solvent chemicals with any quartz countertop — especially white quartz countertops that stain visibly when they come into contact with them.

Do Black Quartz Countertops Stain?

Black quartz countertops can stain as well, but the most common culprits are easily avoided. For one, don’t purchase your quartz countertops from a wholesale dealer. Stone slabs from these dealers are often improperly sealed and more prone to staining or discoloration.

Instead, get your black quartz countertops from a reputable manufacturer like Caesarstone.

Second, avoid leaving glasses or dishes with soap residue on the countertops. Most dishwasher soaps contain bleach or another alkaline chemical that discolors quartz. This discoloration is known as etching and it’s very difficult to get rid of.

If you’re lucky, the stain on your solid black quartz countertops will simply be built up soap film or water deposits. This is still tricky to get rid of but can be done with specialized detergents that target soap film and minerals. These products are just as effective as removing a white quartz countertops stain as one on a black surface.

Black Quartz Countertops Stain Removal

Now that we’ve answered the question of “do quartz countertops stain” quite thoroughly, let’s explore what you can do about stains should you run into them.

It’s worth pointing out that quartz countertops are much more difficult to stain than materials like granite or marble. Quartz’s seal is baked into the material. With granite and marble, on the other hand, you’ll need to reseal your countertops as often as twice every year. This is very tedious and expensive — but it’s essential.

If you’ve managed to stain quartz countertops, stain removal is thankfully simple. Here are a few methods. We’re mentioning methods for removing stains from black quartz countertops specifically but these often work for other hues as well.

Method #1. Use A Soap Film and Hard Water Remover

If you have mineral deposits or soap scum on your black quartz countertops, cleaning stains is relatively simple with products that target these compounds specifically.

Be sure to follow the instructions on whatever cleaner you choose. Generally, you’ll need to wipe the area vigorously with the soap film and hard water remover then buff any stubborn stains out with 0000-grade steel wool.

Method #2. Banish Permanent Marker Stains with Goo Gone

With black quartz countertops, cleaning stains made from permanent marker is a breeze.

That should come as a relief if you had a heart attack upon noticing them (although they may not always be as evident as they would be were your countertop white).

Simply rub the stain with a moist cloth and Goo Gone. Be sure to rinse away any Goo Gone residue once you’re done.

If you don’t have Goo Gone, use denatured rubbing alcohol.

Method #3. Non-Abrasive Surface Cleaner

If you have even deeper stains (such as red wine or tomato sauce), a non-abrasive surface cleaner should do the trick. Make sure you avoid:

• paint thinners
• oil-based soaps
• bleach
• nail polish remover
• oven cleaner
• dishwasher agents
• anything containing trichloroethane or methylene chloride

Can Quartz Countertops Stain? Conclusion

For those wondering ‘can quartz countertops stain?’ the answer is yes. Does quartz countertops stain easily, though? Thankfully, no. Removing stains is also a breeze because with quartz, they tend to remain on higher layers of the material. As such, you can typically get rid of the stain with a hard water remover, Goo Gone, denatured rubbing alcohol, or another non-abrasive surface cleaner.

This contrasts significantly with granite and marble, which stain with greater ease and require greater effort to clean.