removing a rust stain from a quartz countertop

5 years ago

So - literally just had new countertops installed less than a month ago. I put a cast iron skillet down on the counter top and the was some water on the skillet. When i picked up the skillet a little while later there was a round rust stain on the counter. I've scrubbed it a few times with one of those green brillo pad type things (the ones made out of the plastic type material, NOT steel wool) with some generic window cleaner and there's still a faint outline.

Anyone know what i need to do to get rid of this?

Featured Answer

Ian Lipsky
Original Author

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

I called and asked - they said to use soft scrub with bleach and elbow grease, and after a few minutes of scrubbing that seems to have worked (this was pental quartz btw)

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Comments (30)

benjesbride_misses_sophie
5 years ago
A paste of baking soda and water?
Lily Spider
5 years ago
I am reading on the internet after a quick search. Some people have removed stains with Bar Keeps Friend, a Magic Eraser or 409. I don't know what type of Quartz you have. These are just suggestions that have worked for other people. I would call the manufacturer and get their advice and/or search the Internet.
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Bunny
5 years ago
I have Caesarstone. When it was installed they told me not to use anything with ammonia in it (window cleaner).
mayflowers
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
No abrasives! It can dull the finish! I got a new countertop because of Barkeeper's Friend applied by the installer.

Look at your Use and Care info online. Cambria won't let you use anything, but Caesarstone allows Soft Scrub Gel with Bleach. That's what I use, but since you're not supposed to leave bleach on quartz (it can yellow it), make sure you rinse thoroughly.

Hey, that looks just like my counter! (I just enlarged the photo.)
Fori
5 years ago
Test anything new on a piece of scrap (I hope you have one!) or an out-of-the-way, poorly lit spot. I use Bar Keeper's Friend for rust spots, but my counters are metal so it doesn't hurt them.
mayflowers
5 years ago
Is it Botticino? That's what I have. Glad the Soft Scrub worked!
sjhockeyfan325
5 years ago
Great - I use Soft Scrub too (Ceasarstone).
Kayla K
3 years ago
Baking soda and lemon juice! Put baking soda on top of any stain, add drops of lemon juice- just enough to make the baking soda bubble. Let it sit a few minutes, then scrub away. It came off my countertop almost immediately!
Kevin Vinitsky
3 years ago
Yes to the baking soda/lemon juice combo + a little elbow grease
Kathleen L.
3 years ago
For my now replaced silgranite white sink which stained awfully, we used mineral oil and baking soda powdered soap like bar keepers. Also works great for oil baked on stainless cookie sheets etc.
Mary M
2 years ago
I just tried the baking soda and lemon juice- it worked like magic!! I'm glad I peeked on here!
HU-184178490
2 years ago
After testing this product on a sample to make sure it did not damage my quartz, I used this on my rust stains and they disappeared like magic. I just dabbed it on the stain, let it sit for an hour and rinsed it off. https://www.amazon.com/Davis-Instruments-Fiberglass-Remover-16-Ounce/dp/B001446K4G/ref=asc_df_B001446K4G/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312151608179&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3453028626857896826&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9012131&hvtargid=pla-569632687188&psc=1
Denys Hemen
last year
last modified: last year
Baking soda and lemon juice rubbed in with a paper towel did the trick. It took several rounds, but it worked.
magumlmm
last year
I just found a really bad rust stain under a candle I had on my Cambria countertop. I squirted a homemade cleaning mix I use and let it sit for a few awhile and then scrubbed it with the pad I use to clean my glass top stove. That is getting it off without an abrasive cleaner. My home made mix that I keep in a squirt bottle: 1 oz Dawn original dish liquid, 2 oz Bottled lemon juice, 4 oz white vinegar, 5 oz water. It seems to work on everything.
karinealloul
last year
Thank you for these comments and easy tricks. Also got rust stains on my white quartz countertop. Tried the baking soda and lime, scrubbed a little and it got off right away. I would just recommended not even using a scrub pad. The spot where I rubbed not even long does appear a bit more dulled out (changed the shade of white a bit and depending on the light angle). So very good trick just rub softly.
andwest
9 months ago
last modified: 9 months ago
Teaspoon of baking soda combined with 2 - 3 drops of lemon.

It worked so well I was able to get the rust stain off using my finger in a matter of seconds. After it wiped off I washed the counter with soap and water with a soft cloth. No elbow grease was required.
Kelly Kelly
5 months ago
After I shed a few tears finding rust on my Cambria countertops, thankfully I saw these posts. Baking soda and lemon worked perfectly and in a matter of minutes ! Thank you !!
HU-999971895
4 months ago
last modified: 4 months ago
I know this is old, but a soft pencil eraser (preferably white) works as well. Just have to lightly scrub the area with a magic eraser to get the residue off when you’re done. Try it!!
Eppie Wong
4 months ago
Easy, just use Vim (cream). Remove quartz stain in a sec.
Jennifer C
4 months ago
The eraser worked like a charm! Thanks for the suggestion!!!
HU-172538693
4 months ago
Moved in a new house a week ago. Put a cast iron Dutch oven on the counter for about an hour And when I moved the cast iron there was a perfect rust stain circle. Uggg.

initially scrubbed most of it off using simple green cleaner and elbow grease. Then coated the counter with simple green for about an hour. Then refreshed simple green on the counter and coated with baking soda. With very little effort the stain was gone.

so I recommend baking soda with simple green or use lemon juice. Either will work on most any kind of stone

like material.
Pirasanna Sivalingam
3 months ago
I did the same thing as the original poster. Put an Iron skillet that was wet on quartz. it left a dark ring of rust. I tried bleach spray and let it sit for 2 min. It didn’t work. I jumped online and found this post.

We used baking soda with lemon juice, and elbow grease. Worked perfectl! We let it sit for approx. 4 min then scrubbed gently. Thanks for the advice all.
Tricia Mahan Funabashi
2 months ago
I tried many of these ideas but nothing worked on rust stains on a bathroom granite or quartz (waiting on the previous owner to tell me the material). Looks like it is from metal containers left on the counter probably with water underneath. Anyone ever has success with removing these stains when the baking soda didn't work?
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
2 months ago
Tricia:

Look under your countertops please. Do you see a logo or printing? If so, your top is very likely engineered stone. If you post a picture I may be able to tell. Either way, I'd try some of this.
Tricia Mahan Funabashi
2 months ago
Thx...it is quartz. Does your product work on that?
laura fullen
last month
Has anyone had a problem where they’ve managed to remove the rust, but can see a dark patch (almost like a shadow) where the rust once was? It almost looks like the white in our quartz has disappeared in a circular line where the rust was.
Nita Powell
last month
We just had white w/ grey lines quartz installed and so disappointed. I think it is fake quartz. From day 1 we keep seeing little Yount spots, literally everywhere. Now a metal wster bottle was near faucet.. has left a ring. Hell. I’m ready to get new counters. Stains are everywhere. I have Bar Keepers and a spray called Stone Care. Help
Melissa Blackwell
21 days ago
OMG THANK YOU for the baking soda/lemon juice tip! New quartz countertops (that we have been saving to buy for years) went in Saturday, Sunday was Superbowl. Used a little crockpot for a dip (that I haven't used in a year) and when I went to clean up last night, the stupid thing must have had condensation build up inside and it leaked from the bottom and it left a rusty wet stain on my new counter!!! I've never had that happen with a Crock-Pot and I was sick to my stomach when I saw it. The countertops are a medium gray so it was very obvious. I tried water and a gentle cleaner and it didn't work. I was afraid to try CLR or something more serious because I thought it might ruin the surface. The baking soda / lemon did the trick and didn't do any damage to the surface. I can breathe again! Thank you!
MaryKat
21 days ago
Hydrogen peroxide works for rust.

removing a rust stain from a quartz countertop

Ian LipskyOriginal Author

Comments (30)

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Ian Lipsky
Original Author