Dull spots are never lovely to look at. They can even take the beauty out of your lovely quartz countertop. Unfortunately, these problems are almost inevitable, especially with regular use.
I’m not surprised that many of my friends often come to me and ask me for tips on fixing dull spots on a quartz countertop. Access to resourceful friends and learning a few tricks (who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks?), let me help you tackle this problem and master how to fix dull spots on a quartz countertop.
Baking soda, specialized cleaners, plastic wrap, and steel wool are some of the best cleaning methods to eliminate those dull spots. You can try polishing and refinishing options if cleaning alone isn’t enough. Let’s carry on.
Table of Contents
- Master how to fix dull spots on a quartz countertop
- Cleaning methods to remove dull spots on quartz countertops
- Polish and resurface options for severe dull spots
- Maintenance and Prevention Tips to Avoid Dullness
- Repair Options for Quartz Countertops
Master how to fix dull spots on a quartz countertop
Stains on the surface of quartz countertops look like dark spots, while dull spots are those parts where the material seems less shiny or cloudy compared to the area around them.
If your quartz countertop starts showing some bleached white spots, believe me when I tell you that these are probably because of harsh chemicals that you or someone else in your household might have used on it. These dull spots are often permanent, and most of the time, you can’t fix them quickly without refinishing or even replacing the entire counter.
The good news is that if your quartz countertop has some areas that are less shiny than the other parts, you can still fix them. These dull spots are often due to water stains that form if you leave water sitting on the surface for a long time. In case you don’t know, water can damage your quartz countertop’s finish, helping it to lose its lovely shine for a dull-like appearance.
Other spills, such as wine, nail polish, tea, hot sauce, marinara sauce, and more, are all common culprits for dull spots or stains on quartz countertops.
Cleaning methods to remove dull spots on quartz countertops
As a type of natural stone, quartz stains once exposed to grease, oils, and other substances. Removing the dull spots that form because of this exposure is vital to maintain your quartz countertop.
You have options and can try several cleaning methods to eliminate these ugly, dull spots.
Use baking soda
Mixing water and baking soda is one of the easiest ways to remove dull spots. Pour a small amount of the homemade cleaner into the affected area and rub it with a kitchen sponge using circular motions.
Try a specialized cleaner
Quartz cleaning kits are now available that are specifically made to help fix dull spots. These are often effective choices if the other methods don’t work.
Apply a plastic wrap
Pour a small amount of water and baking soda on the dull spots. Cover them with plastic wrap and allow the solution to sit for several hours. It will produce heat to help remove the stain from your quartz countertop.
Clean with steel wool
Steel wool may also help in removing dull sports. Use circular light-handed motions for your entire counter, even in areas without visible stains. Wipe off any loosened building with a clean, dry cloth.
Polish and resurface options for severe dull spots
Polishing and buffing can often fix only the lightest scratches. Unfortunately, deeper ones must be filled with resin or epoxy to fix them.
If you have tried the cleaning methods above, but your quartz countertop is still dull, you may need a major repair for your counter to shine again. Remember that quartz’s shine comes from the finish itself. Once it gets damaged beyond easy and quick maintenance, refinishing your countertop is the best way to restore its lost glory.
You can also seek professional help to check and see if refinishing is necessary. Trying to take matters into your own hands may only result in more damage, which can only worsen the appearance of the finish.
Since quartz countertops are 90% natural stone, the safest and best-performing products to clean and polish them are the ones intended to be used on marble and granite.
Here are some options to help you polish and resurface severe dull spots on your quartz counter.
Quartz polishing products
Specialized quart polishing products are highly recommended for a reason. Just make sure you follow the instructions on the label when applying them. Don’t forget to clean the counter before using them, though. Always read specific instructions.
Here are different options for you to take a look at:
Warm Water and Soap Scrub
Quartz can easily handle being polished and washed, unlike other surfaces. You only need warm soapy water and can start cleaning those severely dull spots. Use a spray bottle to soak the areas and scrub them afterward with a scrub brush, washcloth, or sponge. A squeegee or dry cloth can also dry the surface and ensure you don’t leave any streaks behind.
Windex and Other Types of Window Cleaners
Yes, Windex and other window cleaners can polish severe dull spots on quartz countertops. Since these are meant to make your windows shiny and make their surface cleaner, you can expect them to have the same effect on quartz and bring out the material’s shine. You can spray these products on the spots and gently polish and dry the surface with a clean, soft cloth.
Maintenance and Prevention Tips to Avoid Dullness
After restoring the shine of your quartz countertops, you must ensure that it stays exactly that way. While it’s easy to maintain these counters, putting in some effort every time you clean them won’t hurt.
Here are a few maintenance and prevention tips to avoid dullness:
| Don’t use abrasive cleaning products like steel wool or similar scrubbing pads on your quartz counters. |
| Always use all-purpose cleaners with neutral pH to prevent soap buildup on the surface. |
| Clean up after spills immediately to ensure you don’t damage your quartz countertop. |
| Don’t forget to use coasters, hot pads, cutting boards, or trivets when preparing food or putting cookware on your counter. |
| Don’t place acidic foods such as alcohol, lemons, or tomatoes to maintain the shine of your quartz counter. |
| Reseal your quartz countertops every several years to strengthen the surface. |
Repair Options for Quartz Countertops
Sometimes, things get worse when simple cleaning, polishing, and refinishing are not enough, with the only option being to repair your quartz countertop.
Quartz surfaces are often composites of binding resin and quartz chips, making them highly resilient to the usual wear and tear, even by stone standards. However, it also affects the repair options.
In the case of scratches, quartz’s major resin component helps a lot because you can fill it in with more resin. These situations require clear resin, which can neatly sidestep the problem of matching the colors.
It’s also simple to fix cracks because of the high presence of resin on the quartz surface. You only need to use clear epoxy to fill in the affected spots to prevent the issue from worsening, making the crack impossible to differentiate from other parts of the surface.
While chips may not be as standard in quartz surfaces because of the high epoxy levels in their construction, they can still occur. You can solve them with fine abrasive paper and super glue.
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John Thompson, Writer and Commentator, EvolutDesign.com
Soldier, writer, researcher, consultant, and bon vivant, John Thompson is the author of numerous columns, op-eds, reports, briefs, short stories and books as the “Felicity Files” and “Spirit Over Steel: A Chronology of the Second World War” (version III). Often found hunched over his computer, or in his garden, and now often found doing both. His diverse talent has led him to work in industries and projects such as energy, security and home construction and renovation. To see the entire team at Evolutdesign.com, visit Our Team page.
