With excellent durability, incredible stain protection and a wonderful finish, it’s no surprise that quartz countertops have been popular in kitchens for generations. While the non-porous nature of quartz protects it against most stains, even this stone isn’t impervious to the impacts of hard water.
Hard water contains calcium and magnesium minerals. If left to evaporate, these minerals will leave behind a chalky residue which, if not cleaned, can build into stubborn problems like hard water stains and limescale.
The best way to deal with hard water stains is prevention, as cleaning them is often a challenge. Here are some easy ways to prevent hard water from being a problem with your kitchen counters.
Wipe Up Early
The main problem with hard water is leaving it to build. While an innocent water ring underneath a glass or a splash from cooking doesn’t look like a problem, it’s these frequent spills that eventually turn into those annoying stains.
A trick many quartz owners use is to keep a small cloth on the counter at all times which can be used to quickly wipe up any messes. Get into a routine of always cleaning water droplets and not allowing them to evaporate and leave the hard water minerals behind.
Use Protective Surfaces
If wiping up every spill when it happens feels too tedious – or impossible if you have young children – then a second option is to cover your quartz.
Make sure you have protective mats covering problem areas, such as sinks, and always use chopping boards to prepare your cooking. Anything you can do to lessen the chances of water sitting idly on your quartz will help protect it from stains building over time.
Don’t Use Sealants
If you struggle with hard water stains, it can be tempting to turn towards sealants and water repellants to protect your surface. However, these don’t have any effect on hard water.
Quartz is a non-porous material, meaning it is naturally sealed and protected against water. Hard water stains occur because the water sits on top of the materials and evaporates, allowing the minerals to set on the surface and build. This process happens whether or not you’ve added additional products such as water repellants.
Install a Water Softener
Of course, the easiest way to avoid hard water stains is to not have hard water at all. With a water softener installed in your home, you won’t have to worry about splashes and spills ever again.
Beyond not leaving stains, soft water can also provide a range of other benefits in the kitchen. Soft water is easier to clean with, requiring less soaps and detergents to achieve the same results. Without the hard water minerals, your appliances – kettles, washing machines and more – will also be protected from limescale damage.
Water softeners are better and more affordable than ever before and can allow you to fully enjoy your quartz countertops without having to worry about hard water stains.
How to Clean Hard Water Stains on Quartz
Unfortunately, if you have hard water, chances are you’ll eventually have to deal with a stubborn hard water stain.
The main rule for cleaning hard water stains off quartz is to avoid using abrasive cleaning products or scrubs, such as metal wool. Quartz is a great kitchen surface because it is non-porous, but scratches can impact this quality and damage your kitchen counters long-term.
Similarly, avoid using strong chemicals such as bleach on your quartz surfaces. Instead, gentler products, such as glass cleaners, will often do the trick when applied with a non-abrasive cloth.
If you have a particularly stubborn stain, you can buy specific non-abrasive cleaners for surfaces like quartz and granite.
Remember, with a water softener you won’t need to worry about hard water stains impacting your kitchen. For more information and to explore different options, check out our water softener buying guide.
