Even natural cleaners like vinegar or lemon can be too harsh to use on Quartz or Granite, as they are highly acidic, so they could damage the surface. If you do encounter a stubborn stain, consider using baking soda as a gentler alternative.
Stubborn stains are likely if the countertops haven't been cleaned for a while. If this happens, pour a little vinegar directly onto the dirty area and leave a wet cloth or rag sitting on top of the stain for a little while to loosen the dirt. Keep up this regimen for gleaming quartz countertops.
Create a simple disinfectant using 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol and two cups water in a spray bottle. You may wish to add 1-2 drops of essential oils to add a nice smell to the mixture. Spray the countertops down, making sure to cover the entire surface. Allow the cleaning solution to sit for 2-3 minutes.
Stain Removal:
Make a paste of baking soda and water. Apply the paste to the stain and let sit for five minutes, then rinse off with a soft cloth. Baking soda is a mild abrasive, so don't scrub. Repeat if necessary.
While you can purchase many spray cleaners, the best cleaner for Quartz countertops is dish soap. To wash your quartz counters, dampen a sponge or soft cloth and a couple of drops of dish soap. Work the dish soap in until the sponge becomes sudsy.
Harsh, abrasive cleaners, pads, and sponges should be avoided since they can permanently harm countertops. Scrubbing too hard can leave a dull surface or cause superficial scratches. Oven cleansers, grill cleaners, paint removers, dishwashing detergent, and other high pH cleaners should not be used on quartz surfaces.
If you have a quartz countertop, you should be able to use Dawn Dish Soap without any issues. However, if you notice any discoloration or staining, you might need to switch to another brand of dish soap.
Quartz countertops are combined with acid-sensitive resins during their manufacturing, meaning they are vulnerable to chemical damage. This causes acidic products such as vinegar, lemon juice, or acidic cleaners to eat through the resins, "etching" the surface. As a result, quartz requires pH-neutral cleaners.
For most effective cleaning, fill a small spray bottle with gentle soap and water. You may also use a vinegar-based spray or make your own mild concoction. Then spray it over the countertop and wipe from side to side in full motions.
Clorox wipes should never be used to clean your quartz countertops because the solution used in the wipes can potentially damage the surface. Instead, use warm water and mild soap, white vinegar and water or a quartz cleaner.
For deep-set stains: Mix 1 heaping tablespoon of baking soda and 1 teaspoon of water into a thick paste. Spread it on the stain, cover it with plastic wrap, and secure the edges with painter's tape. Let it sit for one to two days, and then rinse the area.
Everyday Cleaning – Just Use Water and a Paper Towel
For routine cleaning, simply wipe down your countertop with a damp cloth or paper towel and, if necessary, a small amount of non-bleach, non-abrasive cleanser.
We are big fans of cleaning with white vinegar, mixed in equal parts with water. Apply it to white quartz countertops with a soft cloth, allow it to soak for 15 minutes, then wipe away and rinse. 'For stubborn stains, leave the solution to soak overnight,' say the experts at stone countertop experts Caesarstone.
Bar Keepers Friend Granite & Stone Cleaner & Polish is specially formulated for use on smooth, polished stone – including granite, marble, and quartz. Its pH-balanced formula won't scratch or mar stone finishes, and it's gentle enough to use every day.
Magic eraser may also be used to fight tough quartz stains, simply wet the magic eraser and apply in gentle, circular motion.
Quartz countertop care is remarkably simple. Just wipe the surface with water and mild soap or vinegar regularly. If you need to do more stringent cleaning (say, to remove stains), you can use Soft Scrub's gel cleaner, which contains bleach. Outside of that, you don't need to do much else.
Most household cleaners you would usually use to do a quick clean with such as Windex, vinegar and Lysol wipes (some of which contain bleach) are not a good idea for quartz countertops. Why? Windex has a high pH level, making it potentially damaging to a manmade material such as quartz.
Warm Water + Dish Soap
This is the preferred method of cleaning most messes on quartz countertops. Combine a small amount of mild dish soap with warm water into a bowl or bucket. Using a microfiber cloth or soft rag, use the soapy water solution to wash off as much of the mineral deposit as possible.
Clean up Spills Right Away – Before They Can Dry
For stubborn or dried spills, use a nonabrasive cleaning pad such as a Scotch-Brite®* scrub pad coupled with Formula 409®Glass & Surface Cleaner or a comparable cleaning product.
Scrubbing Bubbles is fine. So is a mild white vinegar/lemon juice/water solution, if you prefer a non-chemical alternative. If you need to “scrub” the sink, a little baking soda sprinkled on the sponge is very kind to the surface. Any non-abrasive kitchen cleaning product should be OK.
Avoid acidic, abrasive, or harsh cleaners.
These can discolor or scratch the surface of your countertops. Avoid bleach, acetone, oil-based soaps like Murphy's Oil, or abrasive cleaners like Soft Scrub.
You Can't Set Hot Pans on Them
Although quartz countertops are extremely durable and considered heat-resistant, putting a hot pan right on the surface can damage the material. As with most other countertops, you'll need to use a trivet or stove mitt to protect it, as heat can cause discoloration and/or cracking.
Marble Or Quartz Countertops
Many people assume that because marble and quartz are so hard and tough that you can use baking soda to clean them. This is not correct. Although you may not see an immediate negative reaction when cleaning marble or quartz with baking soda, damage will be done to the surface.