How To Remove Red Wine From Quartz Countertop

Quartz countertops are engineered stone that combines 90% ground quartz and 8-10% resins, polymers, and pigments. Quartz is a popular choice for kitchen and bathroom countertops due to its durability and ease of maintenance. A lot of homeowners and designers also like the versatility of its color and design. Since it is a manufactured stone, it can come in all sorts of colors and patterns, making it aesthetically suitable for any kitchen.

However, the most popular quartz countertops colors are of the light variety. This is because light-colored quartz countertops will suit any design and color scheme.

Unlike quartz, Quartzite is a unique, mined, and naturally occurring rock that is mined in blocks and cut into one-of-a-kind slabs that are then fabricated into countertops.  Often, quartz is misrepresented as an “all-natural stone” when the facts are only “Quartzite” is 100% natural.

DO QUARTZ COUNTERTOPS STAIN?

Quartz and Quartzite countertops are highly stain resistant, but it is not true that they do not stain. Like any countertop, quartz and Quartzite is vulnerable to staining from red wine, coffee, tea, tomato sauce, juice, etc., if the spills are not cleaned up right away. But unlike granite (which is a natural stone), the staining that occurs in quartz does not happen because the countertop surface absorbs the staining liquid.

The staining occurs when the liquid reacts to the resin, one of the quartz countertops’ main components. Resins help make quartz countertops non-porous, but some cleaning agents, heat, and chemicals can damage the resins.

HOW TO PREVENT STAINS ON QUARTZ COUNTERTOPS

Stains on quartz and Quartzite countertop surfaces are easily preventable. Just clean the spills immediately, make sure your countertop is sealed with a quality sealer, and use protective surfaces like trays, coasters, trivets, and cutting boards.

Stains can also occur on white or light-colored quartz and Quartzite countertops due to improper cleaning. Don’t clean your countertop using cleaners that have bleach or vinegar, and keep solvents such as detergent and paint thinners away from the quartz surface.

HOW TO CLEAN WHITE QUARTZ COUNTERTOPS

Quartz countertops may be stain and heat “resistant,” but they still need proper maintenance to keep their beauty for life.

REGULAR CLEANING

Quartz countertops need to be cleaned routinely:

Wipe with mild dish soap – Harsh cleaning agents have a high chance of reacting to the resin on the countertop surface and will cause the quartz to stain. Stay away from store-bought cleaners and use cleaning solutions specifically designed for quartz, such as Pro Cleaning Products Quartz Countertop Cleaner or Quartz NaoGuard Protection Kit. These easy-to-use protectors will get your quartz countertop looking sparkly clean in no time.

Use the proper cloth – Make sure that the cloth you are using to wipe your countertop is not in any way abrasive as it could permanently damage the surface of the quartz. A microfiber cloth is recommended for cleaning quartz countertops because it is highly absorbent and won’t leave watermarks.

Wipe spills immediately – Always clean up spills as soon as they happen. It’s always a good idea to clean up any spills before they have a chance to set up.

EXTREME CASES

Daily wiping your countertops and paying attention to spills will fulfill its basic needs. But once in a while, you will need a professional to perform routine maintenance such as polishing and resealing.

If you live in SW Florida, Tru-Clean Surface Care is the “cleaner of choice” to many of the area’s leading interior designers, stone fabricators, stone retailers, and homeowners desirous of a quality cleaning or sealing.

HOW TO REMOVE STAINS FROM QUARTZ COUNTERTOPS

No matter how much you take care of your countertops, stains are sometimes inevitable.

Most stains on quartz are due to liquid that sat for too long on the stone’s surface, and most experts recommend bringing in a professional.  For those weekend warriors, Pro Cleaning Products offers a product called “Wet Poultice” designed to remove oil and organic stains from natural stone and quartz surfaces.  Wet Poultice is used by stone fabricators, retailers, and stone cleaning companies throughout the United States and is now available to the public.

A significant problem for stone surfaces that are not sealed is water stains. Staining occurs as a result of minerals in water such as calcium or limescale. When water evaporates, these minerals are left behind, creating chalky stains that won’t wipe away.

The only way to remove water stains is to scrape off the deposits as much as possible with a plastic spatula. You can also use steel wool but make sure to use light-handed circular motions, then follow up with a dry cloth to wipe off the loosened buildup.  Another trick is to apply Wet Poultice and follow the manufacturer’s guidelines.

Another effective way to remove water stains is to mix baking soda with water until it becomes a paste-like consistency. Then pour the mixture on the stain and rub it in with a soft cloth.

COMMON MISTAKES WHEN CLEANING WHITE QUARTZ COUNTERTOPS

Now that you know how to remove stains from quartz and Quartzite let’s discuss the most common mistakes people make when cleaning white or light-colored countertops

Using acidic and alkaline cleaners – Acidic and alkaline cleaners will break down the bonds between resin and quartz and permanently damage the surface.

Using metallic objects to scrape the surface – Don’t use sharp metallic objects if you need to scrape off the gunk on your quartz or Quartzite countertop. Instead, use plastic objects such as a plastic knife or scraper.

Using hot water to clean the surface – Make sure to use water at room temperature or only mildly warm to avoid damaging the resin.

Not wiping spills immediately – This is the most common reason for stains. Always wipe away spills as soon as they happen.

CONCLUSION

Stains can be removed from natural stone surfaces, including quartz and Quartzite countertops, but the whole process can easily be avoided by prevention and a quality stone sealer.

Pro Cleaning Products is a national distributor of the industries leading StonePro line of professional-grade natural stone cleaning, sealing, and repair solutions.  Our sister company, Tru-Clean Surface Care, exclusively uses StonePro products in hundreds of homes annually to clean, repair, and seal commercial and residential countertops and natural stone flooring, pool decks, and shower walls.

For more information about removing stains from quartz and Quartzite countertops or other natural stone surfaces, please visit www.procleaningproducts.com or call us any time at 877-879-2022.

Also, be sure to visit us on Facebook at  https://www.facebook.com/procleaningproducts

Quartz countertops are nonporous, making it a popular choice for homeowners looking to remodel their kitchens. Most homeowners believe that quartz countertops do not stain and are maintenance-free. The truth is while quartz is not porous, red wine can still stain the surface. White countertops are the most affected as the red stains are likely to show.

How Does Red Wine Stain Quartz Countertops?

While quartz countertops are more stain-resistant than marble or granite, this does not mean that homeowners should take quartz to be stain-proof and not take care of their counters. In fact, it is recommended that you treat all spills immediately to avoid any possibility of stain build-up. Red wine stains on quartz countertops are rare than on granite and marble countertops.

How Are Quartz Countertops Made

Quartz countertops are engineered stones so, in essence, you can say they are manmade. Quartz is made by blending ground quartz stone with resins, polymers, and pigments. This allows manufacturers to make Quartz countertops in a variety of colors. The result is a tightly bonded and strong material. While the ground quartz material is nonporous, the resins and polymers are not. Therefore, after long exposure to red wine, the resins might get discolored. Discoloration occurs when the resins react with the red wine to form a chemical that stains the surface. In most cases, however, red wine will discolor the resins without any reactions. The good thing with quartz countertops is that the stain does not absorb and is only formed on the surface of the countertop. This way, it is easier to remove, unlike natural stone countertops.

How to Remove Red Wine Stain from Quartz Countertop

When a stain forms, you will need to know how to remove a red wine stain from a quartz countertop. So, how do you remove a red wine stain from a quartz countertop?

Elbow grease – Scrub It Off

Scrubbing the stain works perfectly to remove a red wine stain from quartz countertops since the stain only forms on the surface of the countertop. All you need is a nylon pad or a brush that will not introduce scratch marks on the surface of the countertop. When scrubbing, ensure that you do not use a harsh abrasive as it will lead to further damage on the countertop surface.

Wax On Wax Off – Clean With a Glass Cleaner or Magic Eraser

This is another simple method on how to get red wine out of a quartz countertop. A glass cleaner and a non-abrasive nylon scrub pad are used to scrub off the stain. Glass cleaners work perfectly in instances where the stain is mild and only on the surface of the counter.

You can also use a magic eraser to remove a red wine stain from a quartz countertop. However, before you use a magic eraser, test it on a small section of the countertop to ensure that it does not cause further damage such as making the surface dull.

Bleach the Surface

Mild bleach works perfectly on white countertops to remove red wine stain on a quartz countertop. Start by mixing eight parts of water with one part bleach. Spray the bleach on the stain and then wipe it off. Be sure not to leave the bleach on the surface of the countertop as it may cause further damage.

Unlike stains from chemicals, red wine on a quartz countertop does not cause permanent staining. The stain will be dark or the same color as the wine and will only be on the surface. Using the methods outlined above, therefore, you should be able to remove the stain completely.

How to Avoid Wine Stain on Quartz Countertop

Because quartz countertops are nonporous, the wine stain will not absorb and will therefore not cause permanent staining. However, it is also not advisable to let wine stains sit on the surface of your countertop as frequent cleaning might dull the surface of the countertop. Again, if the stain is spread over a large area, scrubbing it might cause the countertop to develop scratches. You need to care for your countertop now that you know the answer to the question, does red wine stain quartz countertops?

Wipe Off Spills Immediately

Because quartz countertops do not absorb liquids, a stain will only be formed if wine spills sit on the surface of the countertop for long. As such, if you were popping a bottle of wine and it spilled on the surface, wipe it off with a wet cloth and dry with a soft dry fabric.

Use the Right Cleaning Products

The cleaning products you use determine whether stains develop on your countertop. You need to use products formulated especially for quartz, granite, or marble. Other cleaners may remove fresh stains but end up bleaching the resins in your quartz countertop. If you do not know the products to use, you can call the manufacturer and confirm the most appropriate cleaning products. At all times, avoid acidic cleaners and instead use alkaline cleaners. For bleach, only use a mild one and avoid leaving it on the surface for long.

Does Sealing Help Prevent Formation of Red Wine Stain on Quartz Countertop?

Unlike natural stone countertops granite and marble, quartz countertops are nonporous. As such, they do not need sealing as liquids do not absorb. Whether sealed or unsealed wine stains will still form on the surface if spills are left to sit on the surface for a long time. Again, some sealing compounds might discolor the surface of your countertop or create a haze.

Get Quartz Countertops In South Florida

When you’re ready to get a quality quartz countertop installed on your kitchen, contact the professional team at Marble & Granite Connection today! Marble & Granite Connection has been providing quality countertops for many years, making us one of the most experienced and established marble, granite, and quartz countertops providers in all of South Florida. We are confident that when you choose Marble & Granite Connection for your quartz countertops, you’ll be absolutely happy with our work. To get a quote contact us today at 954-783-2118 or click here to drop us a line.