How to Fix a Dull Spot on Quartz Countertop – Get the Shine Back!

You’re excited about your brand new quartz countertop that you just had installed. You’ve been dreaming of this day for years! Then, after a few days or years, you notice that your countertop has developed dull spots on it where it lacks that beautiful shine that it was installed with.

This is an upsetting series of events for any homeowner, and it doesn’t feel good to see these dull spots on your quartz countertop. Luckily, there are some simple reasons for these dull spots and even simpler solutions!

There are several ways of fixing dull spots on quartz countertops. You can start with baking soda and warm water. For tougher stains, you can apply a liquid surface cleaner like Mr. Clean, or a glass cleaner like Windex. If your quartz countertop still doesn’t get its shine back, it might need a professional refinish.

What Causes Dull Spots on Quartz Countertops?

First, it’s important to know what kind of spot you have on your countertop. While countertops made from any kind of stone can stain, this is not what we’re talking about in this article.

Stains look like dark spots on the surface of the countertop, while dull spots are areas where the countertop looks cloudy or less shiny than the surrounding stone.

If your countertop has bleached white spots on it, these likely came from harsh cleaners that you or someone in your household used on the countertop. These spots are typically permanent and cannot be easily fixed without replacing the countertop or refinishing it.

However, if your countertop simply has spots where it is less shiny than the rest of the counter, it is possible to fix these spots.

Dull spots such as these can often be caused simply by water stains, which occur when water sits on the surface of the countertop for a long time. Water can damage the finish of the countertop and leave it looking dull and lacking its previous shine.

Other spills, including wine, hot sauce, tea, marinara sauce, nail polish, and more, may also cause stains or dull spots on your countertops.

How Do You Fix Dull Spots on Quartz Countertops?

The easiest way to solve a dull spot on your quartz countertop is to use baking soda mixed with warm water to remove a stain from the countertop.

This works well for water stains left behind by glasses that sat too long on the countertop. Simply apply the baking soda paste and rub it in with a soft sponge.

For more stubborn stains, such as wine stains that may also cause dull spots, apply a liquid detergent like Mr. Clean, Simple Green, or simply dishwashing soap. Like with the baking soda paste, simply take a sponge and wipe the area in circular motions until the stain is gone.

If there are many dull spots on your countertop, or if they go deep into the finish of the countertop, you may need to hire a professional to refinish your countertop. This can be expensive, so getting the stains and dull spots out yourself is worth trying.

However, if the steps above do not work because the damage is too severe, you’ll need to have your countertop refinished or even replaced.

How Do You Prevent Dull Spots on Quartz Countertops?

The best way to prevent dull spots on quartz countertops is to clean up spills as soon as they happen. Whether it’s wine or water, use a dry cloth to clean up the mess and then immediately use dish detergent to clean the surface of the counter.

Another way to prevent dull spots on quartz countertops is to never leave hot pans sitting on the countertops. Additionally, harsh cleaners should be avoided, as they may react with resins in the countertop and cause damage.

What Chemicals Are Bad for Quartz Countertops?

Any acidic cleaning substance can cause damage and discoloration to quartz countertops, so such cleaners should be avoided.

Cleaners like bleach or acetone can damage and discolor quartz countertops very easily and should be used with caution and only if other methods do not yield results.

What Chemicals Are Okay to Use on Quartz Countertops?

Quartz countertops can tolerate a fair number of chemicals, so there are plenty of options in addition to baking soda or detergent that you can use to clean your quartz countertops.

One option for cleaning your quartz countertops is a glass cleaner like Windex.

These are the same products that you’d use to wash windows, and most people have some sitting around somewhere. Glass cleaners will dissolve grease and remove dirt from the surface of the quartz without damaging it.

You can also use white vinegar mixed with water to clean your quartz countertop.

You should use equal parts vinegar and water and let it sit on the surface of the quartz before wiping it away with a sponge or cloth. You can leave the vinegar solution on the surface of the quartz for as long as necessary to remove the stain, as it will not damage the material.

It is also possible to clean quartz countertops with scouring powder (I’ve used this one successfully), which you can sprinkle onto the countertop and then rub in with a sponge or wet rag.

It’s important not to leave this product on your countertop for too long, as it can cause damage if you use too much or leave it on for too long.

The Bottom Line

While it can be upsetting to find dull spots on your quartz countertops, it is possible to remove these spots depending on what caused them. Sometimes it is as simple as a water stain left behind by a cup that sat too long on the surface of the counter, or a spill of wine that stained the counter.

Baking soda or vinegar mixed with water are two of the easiest and handiest ways to solve dull spots on quartz countertops. Acidic cleaners such as bleach should be avoided unless absolutely necessary, as such cleaners can cause further discoloration and damage.

Finally, if you have very stubborn dull spots in your countertop that do not respond to home remedies, it may be necessary to contact the vendor from whom you purchased the countertop and have them refinish or replace the countertop.