How To Remove Rust From Your Countertops

When dealing with a rust stain on quartz countertops, you're going to have to approach them a bit differently than stains on granite countertops. Quartz is not stain-proof, so the best way to deal with stains on these types of countertops is prevention. If you do happen to get a rust stain on quartz surfaces or metal marks on quartz countertop surfaces, you have to be careful about what you use to remove rust from countertop surfaces. Certain cleaning ingredients can severely damage your countertop.

According to Countertop Specialty, quartz is an engineered stone that is formed by blending crushed quartz and other resins, polymers and pigments. It is a real stone and is similar to granite, but the most significant difference is that the resin and other human-made elements make up granite's properties. The best thing about quartz is that the resin in quartz makes them nonporous, but cleaners, chemicals and heat can easily damage those same resins.

Although quartz is nonporous, you can still stain quartz countertops due to a chemical reaction occurring with the resins. That's why you have to be extremely careful with what you use to clean up a rust stain on quartz countertops.

When dealing with quartz countertops, you should keep up daily cleaning with a simple soap and water solution or rubbing alcohol and water solution. When cleaning quartz, make sure you don't use an abrasive cloth. Nonabrasive cloths work best because they won't dull the surface. If you start to notice what looks like scratches on your quartz countertop, it's actually metal.

To clean metal marks on quartz countertop surfaces, you can use a white latex eraser. Rub the white latex eraser on the area. After you get rid of the metal markings, clean the countertop with the daily cleaner solution. If you have a metal rust stain on quartz surfaces, first soak a cloth with oxalic acid or Bar Keepers Friend.

Then let the soaked cloth sit on the stain for 10 minutes. If the stain is still there after the 10 minutes is up, you can leave the cloth on a bit longer, but don't keep it on for more than 30 minutes. After the stain is removed, you can clean the countertop with water or a simple soap and water solution.

Extra Quartz Care Tips

According to Countertop Specialty, when cleaning quartz countertops, you mustn't use caustic soda (sodium hydroxide), paint strippers, degreasers, oven cleaners or any other product that has a high pH. You also don't want to use acids such as hydrofluoric acid, CLR Calcium, Lime-Away or any other acid that has a low pH.

If you are going to use products such as bleach or acetone, proceed with caution. When cleaning with bleach, don't use it regularly and dilute it before using it on the countertop. Never leave the bleach on your countertop for long periods and always rinse your countertop well after cleaning. If you are going to use acetone, don't leave it on for a long time either. Always make sure to rinse it off thoroughly after you clean your countertop.