How To Remove Rust Stains From Quartz Countertops

Knowing how to remove rust stains from quartz countertops can be very difficult, considering how most of the cleaning agents you would typically use for rust can cause damage to the quartz – but don’t worry, we’ve researched the best way to get rid of it while keeping your quartz countertop protected.

The best methods for cleaning rust stains on quartz are either using baking soda and lemon juice, or oxalic acid. It is crucial to spot test either method first, however, as quartz can be sealed with different chemicals which may interact differently with the suggested cleaning solutions.

Let’s take a look at how rust stains actually form on quartz countertops, how you can prevent them from happening in the first place and the methods you can use to clean them up without damaging your countertop.

How Do Rust Stains Form On Quartz Countertops?

You may think that it’s quite unusual for rust stains to form on quartz countertops, but the reality is that it is more common than you would think and only takes a small lapse in concentration to happen.

Rust forms when metal and moisture react, and in a kitchen scenario, this is likely from metal pots and pans that are left on the side. The time taken for rust to form varies depending on a lot of factors, but it can happen in a matter of minutes in some cases.

Back to the countertop scenario – if you leave a metal skillet on the side overnight and forget to fully dry it out you could end up with a rust stain in the morning. Extrapolate this to all of the metal items in your kitchen and you can see why it isn’t as unlikely as you would think for rust stains to form on quartz.

How To Clean Rust Stains From Quartz Countertops – 2 Easy Methods

Before you jump into either of these methods you need to spot test the chosen cleaning solution on a small area of your countertop first, ideally somewhere out of sight or ideally on a sample piece of quartz if you have any leftover from the installation.

This will confirm that the cleaning solution doesn’t interact with the seal and/or resin and that you can be confident using it on the rust stain. Try these two methods first, and avoid other cleaning agents like acetone, as these can damage your quartz.

1. Lemon Juice And Baking Soda

Add 2 tablespoons of baking soda to a small bowl and add drops of lemon juice in slowly while mixing until a damp paste is formed.

Spread the paste over the rust stain and seal the area with cling film, leave this for 30 minutes to an hour.

Once the time is up, remove the paste and rinse the area with a clean dishcloth, warm water and pH-neutral dish soap to remove the rust. If the rust hasn’t been removed you can repeat this process and leave it to sit for a longer period of time, or you can try the next method.

2. Oxalic Acid

Oxalic acid is another solution that you can use to get rid of rust stains from quartz countertops.

It comes in many forms, including powder and liquid, but it usually needs to be diluted before use inside the home. Always follow the instructions on the label, and don’t be afraid to get in touch with the manufacturer or installer of your countertops to see whether they recommend using it or not.

How To Prevent The Rust Stains

It’s all good knowing how to clean rust stains, but it pays dividends to know how to prevent them from occurring in the first place so you don’t have to deal with the headache of cleaning them every time.

Keep Your Countertops Dry

Moisture is the key to rust forming, so keeping your countertops dry is crucial for keeping rust away.

We know that this sounds like common sense, but it can be easy to give your countertop a quick wipe down and leave it to air dry afterwards without realising small pools of water sitting on the surface.

These areas of excess water are breeding grounds for rust and can form streaks when they dry out as well, so make sure your countertops are fully dry after cleaning them.

Clean Regularly

Regular cleaning should be a top priority for quartz countertops, especially considering just how easy they are to clean, but it will also help to prevent rust stains from forming as well.

If you keep your countertops clear of moisture and pots and pans then the likelihood of rust forming will reduce drastically, so keep this in mind.

When To Contact A Professional

If you’ve attempted to remove the stain using the methods above and it is still there then you should consider contacting either the manufacturer or installer to see what they recommend.

Certain types of sealer or resin can interact differently, and it may be a case of finding out the specific cleaning agent that you need to use to successfully get rid of the rust stain.

Final Thoughts

Knowing how to remove rust stains from quartz can come in handy, and we hope you have a good understanding of how to do this after reading this article.

If you know any other methods then please don’t hesitate to get in touch and let us know!