Quartz countertops can look cloudy for a variety of reasons like sun exposure, using the wrong cleaners, water stains, and extreme heat are common reasons. Sometimes, cloudy marks can even be a defect in manufacturing.
Why is my quartz countertop cloudy?
1. Defects in the manufacturing
Sometimes, though it should never happen, weird blemishes or cloudiness on a quartz countertop can be there from as soon as it arrives because of a defect in the manufacturing.
We recommend thoroughly looking over your quartz countertop as soon as you can to check for these types of discolourations and checking with the manufacturer.
It’s not uncommon that manufacturers will sell defective countertops. Get into contact with them and ask for a replacement if you’re able to do so.
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2. Prolonged sunlight exposure
A cloudy look can also be due to prolonged sunlight exposure. Depending on where your kitchen countertop is and the angle, the sun may be penetrating the quartz countertop at certain times of the day. The rays can pierce the surface for hours at a time and cause discolouration that appears cloudy.
3. Harsh cleaners
Harsh cleaners are an obvious and common culprit.
Quartz countertops don’t take kindly to harsh cleaners and cleaners with bleach and ammonia or of a too high pH. Always make sure you’re using a cleaner specifically for quartz countertops. Unfortunately, chemical damage is a common occurrence in worktop surface, I’ve made the same mistake.
4. Hot items
Extreme temperature changes, especially heat, can cause permanent discolouration that appears cloudy on countertops. Hot plates and other hot items placed directly on worktops can damage the bonds of the quartz. This can cause discolouration and potentially new stains as it becomes less resistant to stains and damage.
5. Water and soap build up
Discolouration can also happen because of water stains. This is more likely to occur if you have hard water. It’s easy to spill water or get water over your countertop, especially if the counter by your tap and sink is quartz.
If water spills on your quartz surfaces and is left to evaporate, the abundant mineral deposits can appear as discolourations on the surface. These water stains often appear dark or cloudy. You can prevent discolouration from water stains by soaking up any water splashes or spills as quickly as possible.
Soap build-up is another common reason for discolouration, which you can easily prevent by removing any residue with clean water. Even small amounts from bubbles when washing up or in use with your regular countertop cleaning can build up and cause discolouration.
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6. Food and drink stains
If you spill a packet of crisps/chip or throw some break on the surface, there’s not going to be any staining to the stone. However, if you spill something strong like coffee on the surface, it can stain, especially if you let it sit and you’ve got white quartz.
You don’t need to panic when you spill a drink or leave some food sitting on your countertop. Just make sure to clean it straight away. Ask yourself, ‘is this a strong liquid/food I’ve spilt?’ If the answer is no, you don’t need to worry about it. Still clean it. But there’s no need for panick.
I would recommend some soapy water with a soft cloth to wipe the stain away. Nice and simple.
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3 ways to fix cloudiness on a quartz countertop, restore the shine and stop it from looking dull
You can fix the cloudiness/dull spot on your quartz countertop easily with a variety of simple methods. Over time, the shine of your quartz countertop will dissipate. To help restore its lustre, you can try a simple water and vinegar mix, a specified cleaner, and a microfibre cloth to polish.
1. Water and vinegar mix
Mix 25% vinegar to 75% clean water in a spray bottle. Spritz the countertop and wipe over with a damp soft clean cloth. You can do this as many times over to help remove any residue or dirt and the vinegar will help to restore the shine.
You can also try a specialised cleaning kit made for quartz. Oftentimes, these will include powerful cleaning agents that are safe and effective for quartz and include an after polish. We also recommend, after using any of these treatments, use a dry microfiber cloth.
2. Vaseline/petroleum jelly
Add vaseline/petroleum jelly to the cloudy spot. This is because the discolored spot is very dry and lacks moisture. Water will easily evaporate but vaseline will stay longer.
Regular cleaning and using the right tools can help maintain this shine. And, if it begins to fade, the good news is that you can restore this shine with the right tools. Here are some different methods for restoring the shine of your quartz countertop.
How to prevent quartz countertop from discoloration
Depending on the reasons, preventing quartz countertops from discolouration will take different measures. Avoiding harsh cleaners, wiping up soapy residue, and drying water as soon as it comes into contact with your quartz countertop are some of the best preventive measures against discolouration.
Quartz countertops can become discoloured for many reasons. The best way to prevent quartz countertops from becoming discoloured is to understand exactly how they occur and then take the measures to prevent those things from happening.
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Should I seal my quartz countertop?
Quartz is naturally non-porous, which means external factors such as liquids and chemicals cannot penetrate it. But, if your surface is textured or honed, it will require sealing. This natural seal means quartz is difficult to stain because it’s difficult to penetrate.
But, if you chose a quartz countertop with a textured or honed surface, it will require sealing. This is because the pores are more spaced than regular quartz countertop surfaces. This leaves it more vulnerable to being penetrated by external forces that could damage or stain it like harsh chemicals and compounds.
Conclusion
That’s how you restore the shine on your quartz countertop. Simple, yet effective. Many types of stains as well as regular use can all take away the lustre and shine of your quartz countertop. Although quartz comes looking beautiful and with shine, this will inevitably dissipate over time.
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