Care guide
How to Clean and Care for Your Countertops (by Material)
Updated August 18, 2026 · Premier Marble Kitchens, Stamford, CT
Quick answer
For daily cleaning, use mild soap and warm water and avoid harsh or acidic cleaners. Quartz never needs sealing, while natural stones like granite, marble, and quartzite should be sealed periodically. Wipe spills quickly, especially on marble, and use trivets and cutting boards to protect any surface.
Care by material
| Material | Sealing | How to clean |
|---|---|---|
| Quartz | Never | Mild soap and water. Avoid abrasive pads and harsh chemicals. |
| Granite | Periodically | Mild soap and water or a stone-safe cleaner. Seal to keep it stain-resistant. |
| Quartzite | Periodically | Stone-safe cleaner. Resists etching well, but still seal it. |
| Marble | Periodically | Wipe spills fast, especially acids. Use a pH-neutral stone cleaner, never vinegar or lemon. |
| Porcelain | Never | Mild soap and water. Very low maintenance. |
Daily cleaning that works on every surface
Mild dish soap and warm water on a soft cloth is safe for every countertop material. Skip abrasive scrubbing pads and avoid harsh or acidic cleaners like vinegar, lemon, and bleach, which can dull or etch natural stone over time.
Sealing: only natural stone needs it
Quartz and porcelain are non-porous and never need sealing. Natural stones, granite, quartzite, and marble, should be sealed periodically to stay stain-resistant. A simple test: drop a little water on the surface, and if it soaks in and darkens the stone, it is time to reseal.
Protecting your countertops
Use trivets or hot pads under hot cookware, especially on quartz, and always use a cutting board rather than cutting directly on the stone. Wiping up spills quickly, particularly on marble, keeps your countertops looking new for years.
Frequently asked questions
How do I clean quartz countertops?
Use mild dish soap and warm water with a soft cloth. Avoid abrasive pads and harsh chemicals. Quartz is non-porous, so it never needs sealing.
Do granite countertops need to be sealed?
Yes. Granite is a natural, porous stone that should be sealed periodically to stay stain-resistant. If water soaks in and darkens the surface, it is time to reseal.
How do I remove stains from marble?
Blot spills quickly and clean with a pH-neutral stone cleaner. Avoid acidic cleaners like vinegar or lemon, which etch marble. For a set-in stain, a stone-safe poultice can help, and sealing prevents future stains.
What cleaners should I avoid on stone countertops?
Avoid vinegar, lemon, bleach, and abrasive or acidic cleaners on natural stone. They can dull or etch the surface. Stick to mild soap and water or a cleaner made for stone.
How often should I seal my countertops?
Quartz and porcelain never need sealing. For granite, quartzite, and marble, sealing frequency depends on use and the stone, but a good habit is to test with water and reseal when it starts to soak in.
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