Removing Stain From Quartzite Surfaces

In addition to the other facets of caring for and maintaining natural quartzite surfaces, there occasionally arises the need for removing a stain. Being aware of the kinds of stains that affect quartzite surfaces and how the removal of these should be carried out is not only beneficial, but also necessary for the removal to be successful. So what are the different kinds of stains that can plague a quartzite surface? And What kinds of stains do not affect quartzite? Let's look at the answers to those questions.

Water and Oil Based Stain Removal

One of the most common issues with maintaining any natural stone, including quartzite, is removing stains that are water-based or oil-based. Why is that the case? Well, in households, there are more water-based and oil-based substances in the stone's presence that cause discolorations. Think for a moment of just how many water-based and oil-based liquids end up on a kitchen countertop. Some of these include:

• Salad Dressing
• Olive Oil
• Wine
• Soft Drinks
• Hard Drinks
• Fruit Juices
• Coffee
• Tea
• Hot Sauce
• Ketchup
• Mustard
• Soups (e.g. Tomato)
• Jelly
• Flavored Milk Shakes
• Steak Sauce
• Spaghetti Sauce
• Marinara
• Chocolate Sauce

Of course, that list is not all-inclusive by any means. But it does give you an idea of just how easily one could go on at length listing all of the substances that can cause stains on natural quartzite. So, you get the idea. Any liquid having color that is able to penetrate the pores of the stone can create a stain.

Removing Oil Based and Water Based Stains

When your natural quartzite surface gets a stain that comes from an oil based or water based liquid, removing it involves a process that basically reverses the manner in which the stain was delivered into the stone in the first place. In other words, you use a product that "draws the stain out" of the stone. This kind of product is often called "poultice powder". We won't go into the detailed explanation of how poultice powder works since these stone care products come with instructions. But, they are what is used to lift the stain out of a quartzite stone surface.

Removing Rust Stains

There are other kinds of stains that affect natural quartzite surfaces. One example is rust. Rust happens in a variety of situations and from differing circumstances. Unlike the stains mentioned above, rust forms from a reaction that involves water and metal (steel or iron). For these stains, using a rust remover proves to be more effective. And it is worth mentioning that natural stone does, at times, contain metal. So, if the stone gets moisture in it, rust can actually form inside the stone.

Not All "Stains" Affect True Quartzite

We felt it necessary to talk a bit about something else as we elaborate on natural quartzite and stains. That is the kinds of stains that do not effect quartzite. Technically, these are not actually stains. But etching is a discoloration that happens when acids react with calcium carbonate, also called "calcite" in a natural stone. Countertops and other surfaces made of calcareous natural stone such as marble, limestone, travertine, and onyx are affected by this kind of discoloration. However, quartzite does not etch. Because true quartzite contains no calcium carbonate, acidic liquids do not etch quartzite. In fact, if you have been looking at a quartzite and are told that it could etch, you may be interested in this article from a geologist. Under the subheading How do you know if its real quartzite?, talks about why this might happen.

So in conclusion, natural quartzite at times may involve removing stains of various types. And if the need arises, it is good to have the proper knowledge and tools available for correcting stains in quartzite.