The Best Cleaner for Quartz Countertops (And How to Clean Right)

Homeowners across Charleston and the Lowcountry often ask me the same question after installation: what can I safely use to clean quartz? Unlike granite or marble, engineered quartz contains resin binders, so the wrong cleaner can dull or discolor the surface.

I'm Iurii Pirogov, CEO of Perfect Stones. My team fabricates and installs quartz countertops across Charleston, Berkeley, Dorchester, and Beaufort counties, including Charleston, Mount Pleasant, Summerville, Goose Creek, Hanahan, Ladson, Moncks Corner, Beaufort, Bluffton, Kiawah Island, and Johns Island. Here is the same practical advice I give clients during the final walkthrough.

Quick Takeaways:

• Use mild dish soap or a quartz-safe cleaner with a soft microfiber cloth
• Avoid abrasive powders and harsh chemicals. Check the manufacturer’s instructions before using vinegar or bleach
• Warm water and mild dish soap remove most everyday residue and water spots

Engineered quartz is a nonporous surface made with mineral particles, pigments, and resin binders. Everyday spills usually remain on the surface instead of soaking in. However, quartz is stain-resistant, not stain-proof. Dried residue, strong pigments, heat, and incompatible chemicals can still leave discoloration or dull spots. For routine care, warm water, mild dish soap, and a soft cloth are usually the safest starting point.

During the final walkthrough, we recommend that customers keep the care guide for their specific quartz brand and use only products allowed by that manufacturer. Quartz does not require complicated maintenance, but homeowners should avoid assuming that every cleaner marketed for stone is automatically safe for every quartz surface.

Quartz continues to be one of the most requested countertop materials we install. The National Kitchen & Bath Association’s 2026 Kitchen Trends Report also identifies quartz as the leading countertop material, with natural quartzite following at 62% in its three-year outlook. That matches what my team and I continue to see across the Lowcountry. With the right care, a well-installed quartz countertop can remain in good condition for decades.

When it comes to cleaning products, I usually go for these:

Prices checked August 6, 2026. Retail prices, package sizes, and availability may change.
We used to recommend Method Daily Granite Cleaner, but it isn't formulated or marketed for quartz, so we swapped it out for Granite Gold Daily Cleaner, which is.

Nothing fancy here, just four steps I tell every customer to stick to:

• Quartz is nonporous, so spills usually remain on the surface. Wipe them up promptly because dried liquids can leave residue, mineral deposits, or pigment-related discoloration.
• For routine cleaning, apply some quartz cleaner or mix a few drops of mild dish soap with warm water.
• Use a soft cloth or microfiber towel in circular motions to lift dirt without scratching the finish.
• Finally, rinse with clean water and dry with a separate rag to avoid streaks or soap residue.

For more targeted advice on cleaning quartz countertops, check out How to Clean Quartz Countertops: Different Types of Stains & The Best Way to Clean Quartz Countertops.

For dried-on food or hardened spills, it's better not to use a knife to scrape them. Let a damp cloth sit on the area for a few minutes to soften the residue, then wipe it away.

Water spots are usually mineral deposits left behind as water dries. Start with warm water, mild dish soap, and a microfiber cloth, then rinse and dry the surface. If the deposits remain, check the care guide for the specific quartz brand. Some manufacturers allow a brief application of diluted vinegar, while others advise avoiding acidic cleaners. If you use Bar Keepers Friend, use only Granite & Stone Cleaner & Polish, which is labeled safe for quartz. Do not treat other Bar Keepers Friend products as interchangeable. Use them only if the care guide for your quartz brand specifically allows them.

Whether you are replacing damaged countertops or building a new kitchen, you can explore our quartz countertops and available materials or learn more about our kitchen cabinet installation services.

Quartz stays in good shape when you avoid these common mistakes:

• Cutting directly on quartz will eventually scratch it up.
• Harsh or incompatible chemicals can discolor or dull the resin-bound surface. Quartz does not have a topical sealer, so always follow the care instructions for the specific quartz brand.
• Rough scouring pads, abrasive powdered cleansers, and steel wool can scratch or dull the surface. Use only cleaning products allowed by the quartz manufacturer.
• Quartz is more heat resistant than laminate, but hot pans placed directly on quartz can cause thermal shock and cracks, so trivet use is always recommended.

In one of our kitchen renovation projects, we fabricated and installed a light-colored quartz countertop for a kitchen island with a sink and seating area. The work required precise fitting around the sink and range, along with clean lines and evenly polished edges. The finished quartz also balanced the warm wood cabinetry and stainless steel appliances, giving the kitchen a brighter, more cohesive look. 

This layout also shows why proper quartz care matters. The areas around the sink, range, and seating edge receive the most daily contact. Water can dry around the sink and leave mineral residue, while grease, food, and fingerprints collect near the cooking and seating areas. Because quartz is nonporous, most of this remains on the surface and can be removed with warm water, mild dish soap, and a soft cloth. Quartz does not require sealing or routine polishing. 

The important part is to clean these high-use areas regularly without trying to restore shine with abrasive powders, rough pads, or aggressive chemicals. The slab’s face finish is created by the manufacturer, while exposed edges are finished during fabrication. Routine care should remove surface residue without altering either finish.

See the photos and full project details in Fabrication and Installation of Quartz Kitchen Island Countertop with Integrated Sink and Seating Area.

Most of the cleaning questions I hear come from homeowners, but we fabricate and install countertops for both residential and commercial clients across the Lowcountry. The same care principles apply in either setting: remove daily residue without abrasive scrubbing, protect quartz from direct heat, and follow the care guide for the specific quartz brand. You can learn more about our commercial countertop services.

If normal cleaning no longer restores the surface, a countertop professional can help determine whether the problem is residue, discoloration, heat damage, or physical damage. If the countertop needs to be replaced, Perfect Stones offers a free measurement and consultation for the new surface.