A question I often get is about various stones and how they compare in terms of staining. One of these questions today I am answering is "Does quartzite stain?" or "Is quartzite stainproof?".
I wanted to write this article to cover this question but in more detail for those of you who may have an interest. If you have quartzite countertops or are considering quartzite countertops then that is awesome you should get them but be sure to read this article.
Quartzite countertops can stain. Quartzite countertops are probably one of the most durable countertop options that are highly resistant to scratching, etching, chipping, and yes you guessed it staining. With natural stone products, you have pores that can allow liquids inside to cause it to stain. This is normal and to prevent this you have to seal your quartzite countertops.
Quartzite will not have any etching issues since the chemical makeup of the stone is not similar to marble but it can happen in rare cases depending on the type of quartzite you have and what it is made up of.
Be sure to look at the slab with a light to see if any acid rain has caused any issues. If so then move on to another slab or material in the quartzite category. Many countertop fabricators like to pass off hard marble as a quartzite. This is unfair but a reality. Be sure to do your research or contact us with any questions.
Removing stains from any natural stone countertop can be hard. There are many products available that you can use such as a poultice. The trick here is to make the poultice and let it sit for about 1 week. You will need to cover it with plastic to keep air out and let it dry naturally. You will also need to tape the plastic to the countertop. Painters tape is the best option for this due to the glue used to make the tape sticky.
Step 1: Purchase Mangia Machia from Amazon. This product is my go-to product to remove stains. It is the best stain remover poultice available on the market and I have used it for years and the best part is that it actually works.
Step 2: Apply the poultice according to the recommendation on the container. You will make the thickness about a quarter-inch thick passing the stained area about a quarter also. You want to thoroughly cover the area so do go about a quarter of an inch past the stain.
Step 3: Apply plastic to the top of the stained area. I suggest using clear plastic like the plastic you use to cover food to store in the refrigerator for later enjoyment. The ability to see the poultice is critical to know when to remove it. Be sure to use blue painter tape to tape the plastic to the countertop. Allow about 3 inches of room from the poultice and tape it down removing all possibility of air getting inside.
Step 4: Wait a week. This stuff will take some time to dry. Getting the stain out of your quartzite countertop is easy but does take a bit of time. Trust me here.
Step 5: After about 7 days your poultice should be dry. If it is not dry let it sit for a few more days or until it is dry. Be sure not to mess with it too much during the initial 7 days. The first 7 days are critical and you should avoid touching the plastic at all costs during this first stage of drying.
Step 6: If your poultice is dry then remove the application. Let the countertops dry naturally and see how well the product worked. Sometimes you will need to apply a second round of poultice to the area but before you do I recommend washing the countertop really well with granite gold cleaner or mild soap and water then following the steps above once again.
This exact process is what I use every time someone calls me with a stain on their countertops. It works about 9 out of 10 attempts.
Now here are a few other quartzite questions I am asked often.
Yes, you can. Be careful you might hurt your pan. It is possible to scratch your quartzite countertops but highly unlikely with a pan. Hot pans will not cause quartzite any issues unless the countertops are very cold. This could cause the quartzite countertop to crack but again that is very unlikely also.
No, quartzite does not scratch easily. It is a very hard and durable material. This is the material I personally use in my homes due to the durability and beauty of quartzite countertops.
Yes, quartzite countertops should be sealed every 6 months to 1 year. I do it every 6 months myself just to be safe. I wrote a whole article about sealing quartzite and another on cleaning products for quartzite.
Be sure to seal your quartzite before you ever start to use the countertops. This is critical as you want to prevent stains from becoming a problem in the future. Also, try using the water test to check if they need to be sealed but no matter what seal them every 6 months to a year using Dry-Treat StainProof. This is the best sealer for quartzite countertops available. The technology behind this product is amazing.
So many companies white label this product because they want to offer the same quality but with their own brand.
Quartzite has so many color options it is remarkable. The featured image in this article is an actual quartzite job I did last year in 2019 for a couple who absolutely loved this material. It is called Everest Pearl Quartzite. Check out our quartzite colors list here.
