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quartzite backsplash staining from cooking?

last year


I cook a lot all the time and some dishes are saucy (think red, yellow) and splashy (like oils during searing). Our designer created a beautiful remodel project for the kitchen that has mont blanc quartzite countertops and backsplash. Can quartzite backsplash resist all the splashing without staining? Wiping the countertops as you cook is easy but being obsessed about cleaning backsplash during cooking instead of after the meal is prepared isn't something I'd be comfortable doing on a daily basis.

Comments (9)

  • last year
    last modified: last year

    Each quartzite may react in different ways, so you will need to test samples. We are lucky to have had a geologist on the forums who wrote a series of helpful posts.

    Here is the last one: Countertop Geology Part Six, which has links to the previous.

    She also wrote an article: How To Be Your Own Stone Sleuth.

    Testing is important, as we've seen in the many posts here about quartzite staining (as well as some solutions.) The stains might come from water or other sources. Here are a few of those posts.

  • PRO
    last year

    Test your slab. That's the only way to know.

  • last year

    Some quartzites are hard like quartzite should be, but can be porous like marble. These quartzites need to be sealed. Many of the "white/gray" quartzites are porous. Buyer beware. Don't believe the sales pitch from anyone and do your own testing at the slab yard. Even better if the slab yard will chip off a corner for you to test at home.


    I have used Taj Mahal quartzite in 2 kitchens, a fireplace surround and an outdoor kitchen. Taj Mahal is a quartzite that seems to be consistently very durable. In reading these forums for many years, I only remember one person having a staining issue with Taj Mahal, out of the thousands of installation of Taj Mahal that have been posted on this forum.

  • last year

    I would say if you cook with turmeric, that will stain almost anything except maybe a polished granite. No personal experience with quartzite but I've had to use some elbow grease to get turmeric stains out of my quartz (and people like to say quartz is indestructible ... It's not). The sooner you wipe then up the easier it is to clean.

  • last year

    When you say she created it, do you mean the job is complete and this is installed, and that is the picture - or is this still in idea phases?


    If you are a serious cook, I say go for stain proof no matter what - stainless backsplash, painted wall backsplash, or something else that is ultimately easy without concern.

  • last year

    Stains from cooking might not be your only problem if you are getting a range like the one shown in the rendering. That rear oven vents put out a lot of heat and "smoke" if you are roasting at high temps or using the high temp self-clean function. That will be worse than any splashing you might do while cooking.

  • PRO
    last year

    Read this from an actual dealer in that stone. I ahd a white tile backsplash in one home and I used a stainless sheet behind the range when I was cooking stuff that might splash on the grout , the tile was no problem. . Tumeric is the worst in my experience

    There are 2 options to protect your quartzite and preserve its beautiful aesthetic by minimizing staining or even completely eliminating the issue altogether.

    Natural Stone Sealer

    • The most common protection option for quartzite and other natural stones - sealers increase the stain resistance of your quartzite
    • Each Natural Stone sealer is different and has varying porosity and maintenance. Please refer to your stone fabricator for information on the specific sealer that was used for your project
    • It is important to remember that natural stone sealer does not make quartzite stain proof

    TuffSkin Surface Protection

    • A step up in protection for your quartzite - TuffSkin is a physical laminate film that prevents liquids from coming in contact with your quartzite
    • Prevents Staining
    • Available in polished and honed finishes
    • 1-5 year expected lifetime
    • This protection option will make your quartzite stain proof.
    • For more information, please contact us.
  • PRO
    last year

    That is tough - no one will ever say it would never stain. It would be nice to believe that. Testing a sample from the slab you are going to purchase is the only way to know. If you do have a gas range with the vent along the back, that is also an issue - even with tile.




    You could use a spatter shield or even a glass cutting board - they may help.



    Good luck!


  • last year

    Oh wow! I didn't realize that gas can stain the tile so badly. I currentl have yellowish tiles behind the stove which I guess makes it impossible to realize the impact. they sure look all yellow!

    Thank you for suggestions on the splatter shield.