How to Fix Dull Spot on Quartz Countertops

Why are there dull spots on my quartz countertops?

Dull spots appearing on your shiny quartz countertops happen due to various reasons. These include using the wrong cleaners, direct exposure to hot items and sunlight, food and beverage stains, improper installation and sealing, exposure to hard water, and scratches from sharp items.

Wrong cleaners being used

Harsh cleaners such as bleach will cause discolouration of your countertop and also strip away its protective surface. Washing liquid and water can also leave residues that can build into film. This means that any of these cleaners will dull the shine of your quartz countertop.

Exposure to Heat

Quartz is heat resistant but not heatproof. So, directly placing your hot pots and pan, ovens, toasters etc., on the quartz countertop will dull the surface. It can also warp and discolour it. Even sunlight has negative effects. If there is extended direct exposure, you may find your countertop colour changing to dull. The rays from sunlight are not a good thing for your counter.

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Food and Beverage Stains

Spilling food and beverages on your countertop will leave stains if you don’t clean it immediately. But it could be worse if it’s an acidic food or drink. Wine, beer, citrus fruits, pineapple, dairy products, etc., are all high in acid. Their acidic content can cause etching of the quartz countertop. Etching is a chemical reaction where acidic substances react with the quartz stone. The acid eats into the surface and causes it to lose its lustre and shine.

These effects happen over a period of time.

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Improper installation and buffing

Improper installation can also make the quartz countertop look hazy and dull. Such improper installations can come in different forms. It could be allowing dust particles to collect and dry over the countertop after cutting or improper polishing.

Constant Scratches

Constant scratches on your countertop can also cause it to lose its shine. The scratches make the countertop dull as it chafes and loses its smoothness. It could even become a breeding ground for germs.

Hard Water Exposure

Hard water is water containing high mineral content, primarily magnesium and calcium. These mineral contents can form residues on the quartz surface and dull it, making it difficult to clean.

How to prevent dull spots

You can prevent dull spots on your quartz countertop by using pH-neutral cleaners, using heat protectors and blocking direct sun exposure. Also, cleaning stains immediately, ensuring proper installation, using cutting boards and not dragging objects on the countertop will help.

Use pH neutral cleaner

Use only specifically designed commercial quartz cleaners with soft cloths and clean. Before you use any cleaner, make sure you confirm it’s quartz safe.

Clean stains as soon as they happen

The longer you leave a stain on the countertop, the harder it gets to clean, and the more time the substance gets to react with the quartz. So, wipe away stains thoroughly and with water or quartz-safe cleaners as soon as they happen. Use a lint-free soft cloth for this.

Use heat protectors against hot items.

Never place hot items directly on the quartz countertop. Use heat protectors such as cutting boards, trivet, heatproof mat, etc. as a barrier. These protectors will ensure extreme heat never gets to your counter, keeping it in mint condition..

Don’t drag items on the countertop

Scratches and abrasions dull your quartz countertop and leave permanent damage that turns the countertop into a breeding ground for germs. So, you need to be extra careful with sharp objects and items. Use cutting boards, and avoid dragging anything on your countertop.

How to fix dull spot on quartz countertop 

If dull spots already appear on your quartz countertop, you can remove them and restore the sheen using a soft sponge or cloth with soap film remover or use a baking soda and water mixture.

Soap film remover

Soap film or scum leaves off white residues on your worktop. It can accumulate and dull the surface if left for a long period. A commercial soap film remover will effectively get rid of this and make it shine again. However, make sure the remover is quartz safe before using it.

Baking soda and water mix

Baking soda with water is a surefire way to restore your quartz countertop’s lustre. Let the mix sit on the surface for 20 minutes before you wipe it off. Get a soft sponge and gently rub it on the dull spot to remove the stain.

Use Diluted Rubbing Alcohol

Isopropyl alcohol is good for quickly removing all kinds of stains with little effort. If the dull spots on your quartz countertop are due to stains, rub with a cloth slightly soaked in isopropyl alcohol and dilute it with water.

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After care

After cleaning your quartz countertop, there are other things you can do to improve its lustre. They include:

Use a quartz polish

You can apply a quartz polish to the countertop to make it shine after cleaning. There are several kinds of commercial polish for quartz out there that you can try. Make sure to buff it into the surface.

Add a thin layer of Vaseline

You can also use Vaseline to protect and restore the shine of your quartz countertop. A thin layer of Vaseline with a soft cloth is all you need. Just rub it gently on the clean quartz countertop.

Only use specifically designed commercial quartz cleaners

The DIY methods, ingredients you throw together should only be used as a last resort. They DIY methods won’t look after your quartz like a specifically designed cleaner will.