I Just Learned How to Clean Quartz Counters Correctly, and Now Turmeric Will Never Stain Them

Quartz countertops are a beautiful addition to any home — but if you’re not extra careful, they can stain easily. Fortunately, learning how to get stains out of quartz is easy enough, and most stains are totally manageable if you catch them early and follow the right method, according to Elizabeth Shields, operations manager of Super Cleaning Service Louisville. 

Here’s how to remove stains from quartz.

• Soft towels
• Water
• Dish soap (for food stains) 
• Baking soda (for food stains) 
• Bar Keepers Friend Soft Cleanser (for rust stains) 
• Isopropyl alcohol (for permanent marker stains) 

Below, Shields shares her tips on how to get stains out of quartz — including food, rust, and permanent maker stains.

Food stains on quartz countertops can be frustrating, especially if the stain is from something more stubborn, like turmeric or food dyes. Start by trying to clean the spot with dish soap and water. If that doesn’t work, here’s what to do.

1. Mix a teaspoon of dish soap with a teaspoon of water in a bowl or container. Add baking soda gradually (a teaspoon at a time) until the mixture becomes a spreadable paste consistency.

2. Spread the paste over the stain.

3. Let it sit for about 10 minutes.

4. Wipe up the paste with a wet towel to fully remove it.

5. Repeat the cleaning process as needed.

If you have well water that gives surfaces an orange tinge, you know how annoying rust stains can be. To remove them from quartz countertops, you really only need one thing: Bar Keepers Friend Soft Cleanser.

1. Put a tablespoon of Bar Keepers Friend on a soft towel and scrub the rust spot.
2. Let it sit for about a minute.
3. Rinse the spot with water.
4. Feel free to repeat the process if it doesn’t work the first time.

Permanent markers can end up on countertops for a few reasons — like if you’re labeling freezer bags or jars and the marker slips, or if you have a creative child who might “accidentally” create some beautiful artwork for you right on the counter. Thankfully, removing these stains is simple, and “it’s oddly satisfying watching it disappear,” Shields says.

1. Spray the marker spot with a small amount of isopropyl alcohol.
2. Wait 30 seconds.
3. Wipe the stain away with a towel.

The best way to prevent staining on quartz countertops is to be vigilant with cleaning and maintenance. Quickly wipe up anything that spills so it doesn’t sink into the quartz. “The longer you let something sit, the more difficult it will be to clean, especially if heat or sunlight is involved,” Shields says. 

In the same vein, you don’t want to put hot pans on the countertop itself. The heat can cause thermal shock, which leads to cracking, and can set any stains in more deeply. During daily use of your counters, don’t forget to use cutting boards, coasters, and trivets, and don’t overdo it with cleaning chemicals like bleach or acid cleaners — those can ruin the finish and make the countertops more stain prone.