To clean quartz countertops, wipe them down with mild dish soap and warm water on a soft cloth, drying afterward with a microfiber cloth to prevent streaks. For everyday cleaning and disinfecting, a diluted vinegar or isopropyl alcohol solution works well; for set stains, a baking-soda poultice draws them out. Avoid abrasive scrubbers, bleach, and oven cleaner, which scratch or dull the surface — and skip sealant, since quartz is engineered and doesn’t need it.
High-end stone countertops like marble are breathtaking, but expensive. Quartz can look just as luxurious for less — though it’s easy to mix up with quartzite. The two come from the same family and look similar, but quartz should be cleaned differently from quartzite and most other materials.
That raises a common question: what’s the best cleaner for quartz countertops? Once you have the right materials, the focus becomes how to clean them properly. Quartz is stain-resistant, but that doesn’t make it bulletproof. This is your guide to keeping quartz countertops squeaky clean.
What makes cleaning quartz countertops tricky?
Quartz countertops are beautiful and popular, but they come with a few cleaning challenges:
- Even though quartz is durable, abrasive cleaners can still scratch the surface and ruin its appearance.
- Like any countertop, quartz can harbor germs and bacteria, so keeping it clean protects your family.
- Acidic spills like wine, coffee, and vinegar can damage quartz — and so can acidic cleaners.
That’s why quartz needs the right approach and regular cleaning.
What cleaning materials do you need?
Different countertops need different cleaners, and some solutions don’t work well on certain materials. Stick to what you know is safe, since some shelf cleaners contain abrasive or toxic ingredients.
Here are some safe cleaning solutions:
- Mild soap or detergent
- Poultice
- Isopropyl alcohol
- Vinegar
There are plenty of homemade solutions that work great, but sometimes you need to step it up for tougher stains. Here’s what each is best for.
- Mild soap or detergent with warm water is always the best way to lift sticky residue or debris. It also kills some bacteria, so it’s good to use after cooking on the counters.
- Poultice handles stains that set before you can clean them — it draws the stain up and out of the quartz. It’s a white powdery product sold at home improvement stores like Home Depot.
How do you make poultice at home?
No need to spend $10 to $30 on poultice when you can make it from common household items. Just mix water and baking soda into a paste — it’ll be in spreadable form rather than powdery.
- Isopropyl alcohol is stronger for stains that won’t budge with dish soap. Mix 1/4 cup of isopropyl alcohol with water in a spray bottle — spray it onto a cloth and then your surfaces, where it also works as a disinfectant.
- Finally, vinegar — a common household item that’s both strong and natural. No harmful chemicals to worry about, and it lifts stains, rust, and other countertop problems.
How do you clean quartz countertops?
There’s a difference between treating stains, wiping up spills quickly, and routine cleaning. In none of these should you be abrasive, but your approach varies with the situation. Here are the common methods.
Normal wipe-downs
Any time you cook on the counters, wipe them down afterward. You don’t need a full clean every day if they aren’t being used — twice a week with wipes or a disinfectant spray is plenty.
Basics to remember
- Trivets and coasters prevent water rings and other stains.
- Fruit left out on counters can leave sticky residue.
- Always wipe down after handling raw meat.
The best everyday cleaner for quartz is likely a vinegar solution — natural, gentle on the surface, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly.
How do you clean basic stains?
For basic spills, give them attention immediately — any liquids or foods, especially warm ones. A nonabrasive washcloth or dishtowel does the trick.
- Grab paper towels, a washcloth, or a dishtowel and blot large spills. Wiping can just spread the spill around.
- After blotting, spray your homemade or store-bought cleaner onto a fresh cloth or sponge and wipe the area clean.
- Don’t let the cleaner dry in splotches. Wipe the counter dry with a clean cloth in a circular motion to avoid smudges — that’s how you get the shiny, new look.
How do you handle dried-on stains?
When a spill isn’t caught immediately — thanks to kids or a partner who leaves a trail — it dries and becomes harder to clean. That’s when you switch to a slightly more powerful solution.
Liquid stains should lift fairly easily with a vinegar solution. To clean quartz with vinegar, dilute it with warm (not hot) water, let it soak over the stain, and rub to ease the stain out.
Something more stubborn, like nail polish, is trickier. Quartz can be damaged by sharp tools, and if the polish is really stuck you risk chipping the counter. A rubber putty knife paired with a stronger cleaning solution will lift dried nail polish off safely.
How do you remove grease from quartz?
Grease is one of the ickiest things to deal with after a good dinner — even wiped up, it seems to linger. A degreasing product like Krud Kutter is generally fine, but if you haven’t used it before, check for harmful ingredients (see the list above), since it may take the finish along with the grease.
A step-by-step:
- Use the degreasing product according to the manufacturer’s instructions, usually on the side or back of the bottle.
- Afterward, do a basic clean — wipe the area with mild soap and a cloth, then pat dry.
The soaking method
If your quartz needs a deep clean, spray a generous amount of solution directly onto the counters and let it sit for 10 minutes to soak into the areas that need it most.
Should you seal quartz countertops?
What is sealing? Sealing coats a countertop so spills and stains don’t set into porous material. The natural follow-up question: does quartz need a sealant?
No. Quartz has sealant-like properties built in — while it’s a natural stone, it’s engineered, unlike some other countertop materials. In fact, some people who’ve applied a sealant have not only wasted time and money but damaged their counters.
One reason quartz is so popular is that it’s durable and easy to clean without extra protection. Use safe products and keep hot items off, and your countertops should last without issue.
Stone material |
Sealant needed |
Marble |
Yes |
Quartz |
No |
|
Yes |
Granite |
Yes |
If you’re getting new countertops and aren’t sure, ask the professionals installing them whether your material needs sealing.
Squeaky-clean methods
When it comes to cleaning stains on quartz, you have several options — vinegar or a commercial cleaner — but always check that the ingredient list is helpful, not harmful. The right products are the first step.
The job itself is fairly easy, since quartz is durable and mostly natural stone. Its built-in sealant-like properties mean there’s no need to seal it yourself, and it doesn’t stain or permeate easily. But stains happen, and knowing how to handle them is half the battle.
A simple wipe-down usually does the trick. If not, reach for a stronger solution or let it soak on the stain for 10 minutes to loosen things up — and you’ll have squeaky-clean counters.
