The right cleaner keeps your countertop safe and shining for decades. The wrong one can slowly dull, etch or discolor it. Here's what to reach for, and what to leave on the shelf.
The Golden Rule: pH-Neutral Wins
If you remember one thing, make it this: a pH-neutral cleaner is safe on every countertop material, from quartz and porcelain to granite and marble. It cleans effectively without acids or harsh alkalis that can harm your surface. For most homes, mild dish soap in warm water is a perfectly good everyday pH-neutral option.
Best Cleaners by Material
- Quartz (Cambria, Caesarstone, Silestone): mild dish soap, or a cleaner labeled safe for quartz
- Porcelain & sintered stone (XTONE, SapienStone, Dekton, Neolith): soap and water, or a pH-neutral cleaner; they tolerate more but don't need it
- Granite & quartzite: a cleaner made for natural stone, or mild soap and water
- Marble: a gentle, stone-safe pH-neutral cleaner only, nothing acidic
- Everyone: a soft microfiber cloth instead of abrasive pads
The Worst Offenders to Avoid
Some of the most common household cleaners are the most damaging to countertops. Keep these away from your surfaces, especially natural stone:
- Vinegar, lemon and other acids, which etch marble and other natural stone
- Bleach, which can discolor quartz and break down stone sealer
- Ammonia and glass cleaners, too harsh for regular use on stone and quartz
- Abrasive powders and scouring pads that scratch polished finishes
- Oven cleaner, drain cleaner and other harsh degreasers
Why Acids Are Especially Dangerous
It's worth singling out acids. On natural stone, and marble in particular, acidic cleaners like vinegar and lemon chemically react with the stone and leave dull etch marks that no amount of scrubbing fixes. Many "natural" DIY cleaning recipes rely on vinegar, which is exactly why they're a poor fit for stone counters. When in doubt, skip anything acidic.
A Simple, Safe Cleaning Kit
You really only need a few things: a soft microfiber cloth, mild dish soap or a pH-neutral cleaner, and a stone-safe cleaner if you have natural stone. Keep a towel handy to dry after cleaning, which prevents the hard-water spotting so common with South Florida's mineral-rich water. For material-specific tips, see our quartz cleaning and natural stone guides, or ask our team.
Not Sure How to Care for Your Surface?
Reach out and we'll send simple, material-specific cleaning tips for your countertops.
Request a Quote Explore Countertop MaterialsFrequently asked
What is the best all-around countertop cleaner?
A pH-neutral cleaner is safe on every surface, from quartz to marble. For daily use, mild dish soap in warm water works well and won't harm any material.
Can I use vinegar to clean countertops?
Not on natural stone. Vinegar is acidic and etches marble, granite and quartzite, and it can dull quartz over time. Use a pH-neutral or stone-safe cleaner instead.
Are disinfecting wipes safe for countertops?
Occasionally, but many contain citric acid or bleach that can dull finishes with regular use. For daily cleaning, soap and water or a pH-neutral cleaner is safer.