Best Cleaning Products for Countertops
Quick Definition
The best cleaning product for your countertop depends entirely on the material. Granite, quartz, marble, and quartzite each have different chemical sensitivities. A product that is safe for quartz can permanently damage marble. The safest universal cleaner for all stone countertops is warm water with a small amount of pH-neutral dish soap. Beyond that, material-specific stone cleaners are the safest choice.
TL;DR
- For daily cleaning on any stone: warm water + a few drops of mild dish soap (Dawn, Seventh Generation)
- For granite: pH-neutral stone-specific cleaners like Granite Gold, Method Daily Granite, or Weiman Granite Cleaner
- For quartz: Mild dish soap or quartz-specific cleaners; avoid abrasives and high-pH products
- For marble: pH-neutral cleaners only - absolutely no vinegar, lemon, or acidic products
- Never use on natural stone: vinegar, bleach, Windex, Clorox wipes, abrasive scrubs, or generic all-purpose cleaners
- Sealer is not a cleaner - sealers protect, cleaners clean, and you need both for natural stone
- The number one cause of countertop damage is using the wrong cleaning product
Universal Safe Cleaning Method
Before getting into specific products, here is the cleaning approach that works on every countertop material:
- Wipe the surface with a soft cloth or microfiber towel dampened with warm water
- Add 2-3 drops of pH-neutral dish soap (like original Dawn or Seventh Generation) to the cloth if needed
- Wipe clean
- Dry with a separate clean towel to prevent water spots
This method is safe for granite, quartz, marble, quartzite, porcelain, and solid surface countertops. It handles 90% of daily cleaning needs.
Best Products by Material
Granite Countertop Cleaners
Granite is relatively forgiving but still requires pH-neutral products to protect the sealer and avoid dulling the finish.
| Product | Type | Price Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Granite Gold Daily Cleaner | Spray | $6-$10 | Daily cleaning, streak-free finish |
| Method Daily Granite | Spray | $4-$7 | Budget-friendly daily use |
| Weiman Granite Cleaner | Spray | $5-$9 | Daily cleaning with light polish |
| Black Diamond Granite Cleaner | Concentrate | $10-$15 | High-volume use (dilutable) |
| Therapy Granite Cleaner | Spray | $12-$18 | Premium option with plant-based formula |
| StoneTech Revitalizer | Spray | $8-$12 | Cleaning + light resealing in one step |
What works on granite:
- pH-neutral stone cleaners (pH 7-8)
- Mild dish soap and warm water
- Isopropyl alcohol (70%) for disinfecting - wipe on, let sit 3-5 minutes, wipe off
- Hydrogen peroxide for organic stains (on light granite only)
What to avoid on granite:
- Vinegar and lemon juice (acidic - can etch the surface and strip sealer)
- Bleach (too harsh - degrades sealer over time)
- Windex and glass cleaners (ammonia can dull the finish)
- Abrasive scrubs and pads (scratch the polished surface)
- Generic all-purpose cleaners (often too acidic or alkaline)
Quartz Countertop Cleaners
Engineered quartz (Caesarstone, Cambria, Silestone, etc.) does not need sealing, but the resin binder can be damaged by harsh chemicals.
| Product | Type | Price Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weiman Quartz Cleaner | Spray | $5-$9 | Daily cleaning formulated for engineered quartz |
| Method Daily Granite (also works on quartz) | Spray | $4-$7 | Budget-friendly daily use |
| Therapy Clean Quartz Cleaner | Spray | $12-$18 | Plant-based formula |
| Bar Keeper's Friend Soft Cleanser | Liquid | $4-$7 | Tough stains (use sparingly) |
| Dawn dish soap + water | DIY | $3-$5 | Daily cleaning on a budget |
What works on quartz:
- pH-neutral stone or quartz-specific cleaners
- Mild dish soap and warm water
- Non-abrasive scrub pads (like Scotch-Brite non-scratch) for stuck-on food
- Isopropyl alcohol for disinfecting
- Glass cleaner (most quartz manufacturers approve Windex - unlike natural stone)
What to avoid on quartz:
- Abrasive scrubs or steel wool (scratches the surface permanently)
- Oven cleaner, drain cleaner, or high-pH products (damages resin binder)
- Permanent marker and nail polish remover in excess (can discolor resin)
- Bleach in concentrated form (diluted bleach is occasionally OK per some manufacturers, but why risk it)
- Heat - not a cleaning issue, but placing hot pans directly on quartz can discolor the resin
Marble Countertop Cleaners
Marble is the most sensitive common countertop material. Its calcium carbonate composition reacts with any acid, causing permanent etching (dull spots).
| Product | Type | Price Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Granite Gold Daily Cleaner | Spray | $6-$10 | Safe for marble despite the name |
| StoneTech Revitalizer (marble formula) | Spray | $8-$12 | Daily cleaning with resealing benefit |
| Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day (pH-neutral varieties) | Spray | $4-$6 | Budget option - verify pH is neutral |
| Method Daily Granite | Spray | $4-$7 | Works on marble despite the name |
| Therapy Clean Stone Cleaner | Spray | $12-$18 | Premium plant-based option |
| Mild dish soap + water | DIY | $3-$5 | Safest daily option |
What works on marble:
- pH-neutral stone cleaners (absolutely critical - pH must be 7-8)
- Mild dish soap and warm water
- Hydrogen peroxide (12%) for poultice-based stain removal on white marble
- Baking soda paste for drawing out oil stains (as a poultice, not a scrub)
What will damage marble:
- Vinegar - etches on contact, even diluted
- Lemon juice - same acid problem as vinegar
- Bleach - can discolor and damage the surface
- Clorox wipes - contain citric acid, which etches marble
- Any product containing citric acid, phosphoric acid, or acetic acid
- Abrasive scrubs - scratch the soft surface
- Generic bathroom or kitchen cleaners - almost all are too acidic
Quartzite Countertop Cleaners
True quartzite is harder and less reactive than marble but still benefits from pH-neutral care.
| Product | Type | Price Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Granite Gold Daily Cleaner | Spray | $6-$10 | Works well on quartzite |
| Weiman Granite Cleaner | Spray | $5-$9 | Compatible with quartzite |
| Method Daily Granite | Spray | $4-$7 | Budget-friendly option |
| Dawn dish soap + water | DIY | $3-$5 | Daily cleaning |
Quartzite follows the same care guidelines as granite. pH-neutral cleaners, no abrasives, and regular sealing maintenance.
Important note: Some stone labeled "quartzite" is actually dolomite or marble. If your "quartzite" etches from lemon juice, treat it like marble for cleaning purposes.
Cleaning Products to Never Use on Stone
These products show up in well-meaning advice from non-experts but will damage natural stone countertops:
| Product | Why It Is Dangerous | What It Damages |
|---|---|---|
| White vinegar | Acidic (pH 2.5) - etches calcium-based stone | Marble, limestone, travertine, some granite |
| Lemon juice | Citric acid etches stone | Marble, limestone, travertine |
| Bleach | Degrades sealers, can discolor stone | All natural stone |
| Clorox wipes | Contain citric acid | Marble, limestone, some granite |
| Windex (ammonia-based) | Strips sealer, dulls polish over time | All natural stone |
| Baking soda (as scrub) | Abrasive - scratches polished surfaces | Marble, polished granite |
| Comet / Ajax | Abrasive + harsh chemicals | All stone and quartz surfaces |
| Lysol spray | Often too acidic or alkaline | Natural stone (usually safe on quartz) |
| Magic Eraser | Abrasive - acts like fine sandpaper | All polished surfaces |
How to Handle Specific Stains
Oil and Grease Stains
Mix baking soda with water into a thick paste. Apply to the stain, cover with plastic wrap, and tape down the edges. Leave for 24-48 hours. The paste draws the oil out of the stone. Wipe clean and repeat if needed.
Wine and Coffee Stains
For light stone: make a poultice with hydrogen peroxide (12%) and baking soda. Apply, cover, and leave for 24 hours. For dark stone: use acetone instead of hydrogen peroxide to avoid lightening the stone.
Hard Water Spots
Apply a paste of baking soda and water, let sit for a few minutes, then wipe with a damp cloth. For stubborn spots on granite or quartz, a razor blade held at a low angle can carefully scrape deposits without scratching (not safe on marble).
Dried Food
Soak the area with warm water and a drop of dish soap. Let it sit for 5 minutes to soften, then gently scrape with a plastic scraper. Avoid metal scrapers on marble.
What Fabricators Should Tell Customers
As a fabricator, the cleaning conversation matters because it affects customer satisfaction and callbacks. Here is what to include in your post-installation care sheet:
- Specific product names - do not just say "use a stone cleaner." Name 2-3 products that are safe for the material you installed.
- Products to avoid - list the common harmful products by name (vinegar, bleach, Clorox wipes for marble).
- Sealing schedule - remind them when resealing is needed (every 6-12 months for marble, 1-2 years for granite, not needed for quartz).
- Stain response plan - what to do immediately if they spill wine, oil, or coffee.
Shops using SlabWise's Customer Portal can include care instructions digitally, reducing the phone calls that come a week after installation when the customer spills red wine and panics.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the safest all-purpose cleaner for any countertop? Warm water with a few drops of pH-neutral dish soap (like original Dawn). This is safe for granite, quartz, marble, quartzite, porcelain, and solid surface materials.
Can I use Windex on granite? It is not recommended. The ammonia in Windex can strip granite sealer over time and dull the polished finish. Use a pH-neutral stone cleaner instead.
Is Dawn dish soap safe for stone countertops? Yes. Original blue Dawn is pH-neutral and safe for all stone types. Use just a few drops mixed with warm water - too much soap leaves a film.
How often should I clean my stone countertops? Wipe down daily with a damp cloth. Use a stone cleaner for deeper cleaning 1-2 times per week. Clean up spills (especially acidic liquids) immediately.
Do I need a different cleaner for honed vs. polished stone? The same pH-neutral cleaners work for both finishes. However, honed surfaces show fingerprints and water marks more readily, so you may need to wipe them more frequently.
Can I use hydrogen peroxide on stone countertops? On light-colored granite and marble, yes - as a poultice for stain removal. Do not use on dark stone (it can lighten the color). Do not use on quartz (can damage resin).
What removes hard water stains from granite? A paste of baking soda and water applied to the stain and left for several minutes usually works. For stubborn deposits, stone-specific hard water removers are available.
Is rubbing alcohol safe for disinfecting stone? Yes. Isopropyl alcohol (70%) is safe for disinfecting granite, quartz, and quartzite. Spray on, let sit for 3-5 minutes, and wipe clean. Avoid using on marble frequently, as repeated use may affect the sealer.
Why does my marble have dull spots after cleaning? Those are etch marks caused by acidic cleaners or foods. Even mild acids like orange juice cause etching. The marks are chemical damage, not dirt - they cannot be cleaned away. A professional can hone and re-polish the affected area.
Do stone-specific cleaners actually work better than dish soap? For daily cleaning, dish soap is equally effective. Stone-specific cleaners sometimes include ingredients that help maintain the sealer or leave a slight polish. The main advantage is convenience (pre-mixed, spray bottle).
Can I make my own stone cleaner? Yes. Mix 1-2 drops of pH-neutral dish soap with 2 cups of warm water in a spray bottle. Add a tablespoon of isopropyl alcohol if you want disinfecting power. Do not add vinegar, lemon, or any acidic ingredient.
How do I know if a product is safe for my countertop? Check the pH. Products between pH 7 and 8 are safe for all stone types. Read the label for warnings about natural stone. When in doubt, test on an inconspicuous area first.
Help Your Customers Take Care of Their Investment
SlabWise's Customer Portal lets you deliver care instructions, warranty information, and product recommendations directly to your customers - digitally, automatically, and without the phone calls. Reduce post-installation support calls by 70% while making sure customers know exactly how to care for their new countertops. Start your 14-day free trial.
Sources
- Natural Stone Institute - Care and Cleaning Guide for Natural Stone
- Marble Institute of America - Residential Stone Care Manual
- Caesarstone - Official Care and Maintenance Guide
- Cambria - Cleaning and Care Instructions
- Silestone - Maintenance Recommendations
- Consumer Reports - Countertop Cleaning Product Ratings
- University of Georgia Extension - Food Safety on Kitchen Surfaces
- ASTM International - Standard Guide for Selection of Cleaners for Natural Stone