How To Remove Limescale From A Quartz Worktop

How To Remove Limescale From A Quartz Worktop

July 29, 2022

Quartz worktops are often favoured as they are durable and a great addition to any home or workspace. They can withstand stains and oils and will put your mind at ease when spillages are concerned. However, if they are not adequately maintained over time, hard water stains can build up and create limescale.

Why Quartz?

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in the earth’s crust and is incredibly hard-wearing. It is also easier to clean than other stones, providing that you wipe it over regularly and clean it when there is limescale.

Because it is an ‘engineered stone’, it has extensive design options and colours. Whatever style your home is, there will be a quartz countertop for you. This also means its appearance is relatively consistent; your entire countertop will have a consistent pattern, so you’ll never be surprised by how it appears.

Quartz counters are non-toxic, antimicrobial and non-porous, meaning they’re perfect for kitchens where they may meet different foods and materials. It is difficult to scratch, rare to chip and heat resistant. Overall, quartz counters are an excellent option for anyone looking to give their kitchen a makeover, and if you follow this guide, your countertop will be durable and low maintenance.

If you’re considering installing a quartz countertop in your home, visit https://granite-and-quartz-worktops.co.uk/ for professional advice and installation.

Understandably, busy day-to-day life can get in the way of deep cleaning and spending time taking care of your surfaces, so here is an easy guide to removing limescale from quartz worktops. Although the job may seem daunting initially, it can be relatively easy if you use the correct tools and methods.

A close up of a quartz worktop

What Causes Hard Water Spots?

Hard water spots, or limescale, are caused by hot water evaporating, often leaving behind leftover minerals that build up over time. These minerals- usually calcium and lime- will bond to the surface of your countertop, leaving a chalk-like mark which cannot be wiped away.

This can be an issue on a quartz countertop as limescale is resistant to quartz cleaners. When manufactured, quartz countertops are combined with acid-sensitive resins, making them susceptible to chemical damage.

Acidic products (lemon juice, vinegar) can eat through the resins, damaging the surface. Quartz requires a pH-neutral cleaner that cannot remove hard water spots, so you must manually remove limescale as often as possible.

Using The Right Equipment

When removing limescale, you must be careful what tools, soaps and detergents you use, as some can worsen the condition of the limescale. Cleaning agents bond with the hard water and make the limescale sticky or crusty.

We recommend you invest in quality equipment and clean your countertop regularly, as, over time, limescale will build up and become more difficult to remove.

Equipment you may need:

Hard plastic spatula- you will use this to begin cleaning your counter. You should start by scraping off as much of the limescale as possible to reduce the amount of scrubbing you’ll have to do later.

Alternatively, a stone-safe soft scrubbing pad can take down the first layer of limescale. This may be a more straightforward method for some, requiring less effort and force.

Nylon brushes– you can use these on stainless steel and other fixtures to reduce hard water deposits without scratching these fixtures. You must remember to be gentle and patient.

A single-edge razor blade- you should only use these in the case of a more difficult deposit as razor blades can sometimes be dangerous to work with if you do not remain cautious throughout the process. You should push the blade under the crusty layer of the limescale and lift it carefully from the surface.

Steel wool- this can be used to reduce thick layers of limescale. Whilst this will not damage your countertop, it may scratch the surrounding metal, plastic or caulking.

All of these tools will help you prep your surface before using chemicals to do the remainder of the work. The more you manually scrub the surface, the better your results may be.

Removing Mineral Deposits

Once you have taken down as much as the limescale as you can use the utensils listed above, you have a few options to remove the last of the mineral deposits.

Baking soda- liberally sprinkle baking soda over the remaining limescale and proceed to pour warm water over it. Then cover it with plastic wrap and allow it to sit for a minimum of two hours to pull the stain from the countertop’s surface. If you are removing exceptionally tough limescale, you may opt to leave the baking soda overnight.

There are also specialised quartz cleaners formulated to remove the tough limescale. When using this, you should moisten a cloth with distilled water and spray the quartz cleaner liberally onto the surface. Rub this into the surface with the cloth and repeat the process if you are unsatisfied. Once you’re happy with the cleanliness of your countertop, ensure that you rub it down with a dry towel to remove any remaining water from the surface.

Things You Should Avoid Using To Clean Quartz Worktops

Don’t use lemon juice or vinegar- high gloss finishes in any stone can be dulled by overly acidic cleaners as they create micro-abrasions on the surface.

Completely avoid bleach or general cleaning products from your countertop. The strong chemicals from bleach will harm and dull your work surface, potentially causing severe damage.

Don’t leave spillages to settle into your countertop. Any liquids you leave on your countertop for a prolonged period will potentially cause limescale, leading to damage that can be difficult to reverse. It would help if you wiped over any watermarks as soon as you see them.

Whether you have a quartz countertop or are looking to purchase one, this guide highlights how simple it is to maintain quartz and keep your countertop looking sparkly and clean. For more information on quality surfaces and countertops, head to https://granite-and-quartz-worktops.co.uk/ to explore the wide variety of options that they have to offer.