Figuring out the best way to clean your countertops can sometimes be tricky. Do you have quartz kitchen or bathroom counters you need to wipe down but only have granite cleaner? Is it okay to use granite products for a quartz counter or surface?
Well, we’ve done some digging and have the answers for you!
Since most quartz is 90% natural stone, using a granite cleaner shouldn’t be a problem. Granite is also a natural stone, so sharing your cleaning products is not a bad idea.
On top of that, many experts claim that granite cleaners typically have positive, long-lasting effects on quartz, as they protect it from chemicals and other non-stone-safe products.
As we start this article, we will cover all things quartz counters and discuss whether you can safely use granite cleaning products on them. If you recently installed quartz countertops, need a new cleaner, or need additional help, you’ve come to the right place! With that said, let’s dive right in.
We sometimes include affiliate links and curated AI content to highlight top design styles.
Is Quartz Cleaner The Same As Granite Cleaner?
No. Although you can usually use either product for quartz, granite products will be slightly different and targeted toward granite counters and surfaces.
Most times, quartz cleaners will be similar to glass cleaning products or non-abrasive cleaners, as they’re more delicate. Since quartz is primarily natural stone, you need to be careful with the ingredients in your cleaners.
Typically, chemical or abrasive cleaners will damage quartz and can discolor your counters. According to Countertop Speciality, you can clean granite and quartz countertops the same way, often polishing them with the same type of cleaners.
The key to cleaning quartz is using gentle, non-abrasive products that are stone-friendly. Many stone counters are non-porous, including quartz, but that doesn’t mean they won’t stain.
For example, if you use cleaning products that have bleaching agents that can strip your quartz counters of their natural beauty, ultimately causing them to age poorly.
Can You Use Granite Cleaners For Quartz Counters?
Yes! As long as the product is free of harsh chemicals, you should be fine to use it on quartz. As we mentioned above, granite and quartz are both natural stones (quartz is around 90% natural), making them almost identical in terms of maintenance needs.
Even though you can usually get away with soapy water for cleaning quartz, granite products are also a great alternative. Furthermore, most granite products list quartz surfaces as places you can use them and vice versa, so this is very common.
For example, Granite Gold Daily Cleaner® works for both granite and quartz and even claims to polish engineered stone surfaces and solid surface materials such as Corian.
Many countertop cleaners are made to work for various surfaces, so you don’t always need to find a quartz-only formula.
Of course, if you prefer to stick to quartz cleaners, that’s certainly a good place to start.
Weiman Quartz Countertop Cleaner And Polish
This quartz cleaner protects the resins in quartz and other stones from fading, doesn’t streak, has a pH-neutral formula, works for other stone counters, gives quartz a shine, and comes in two 16-ounce bottles.
Follow this link to view it on Amazon.
What Is The Best Cleaner For Quartz Countertops?
When it comes to everyday cleaners for quartz countertops, soap and water should suffice. However, if you can find naturally-made stone cleaners, they are also suitable for quartz surfaces.
As we mentioned, you can also use granite cleaning products for quartz, so you have a few options. A benefit of using granite cleaners for quartz is they usually include a polishing agent.
Since granite tends to lose its shine as it ages, polishing your counters once a week can help give them that brand-new shine. According to Caesarstone, you also want to apply your non-abrasive cleaner to quartz with a soft cloth.
Using a scrub brush or pad can be too aggressive for quartz, leading to scratching. That goes for granite and natural stone surfaces, so you want to avoid harsh products and applicators if possible.
Moreover, you can also find cleaning wipes for quartz, so if you want to get the job done quickly, wipes are a great solution.
Weiman Granite Cleaner And Polish
These countertop wipes work for granite, quartz, and other stone surfaces, kill 99.99% of bacteria, work for porous and non-porous materials, include 30 wipes, and have excellent customer reviews.
Is Quartz Natural Or Man-Made?
Quartz is a pretty new manufactured countertop option that is widely used throughout the United States. According to Marble Systems, harder stones like granite contain quartz, hence why you can share their cleaning products.
Again, quartz is a natural mineral. Therefore, your counters are still natural to a point, although they are still bonded with resin, pigments, and other ingredients.
One of the benefits of quartz being somewhat synthetic is that they’re incredibly glossy and easy to care for. You can think of these counters as a hybrid between natural and artificial materials, which in some cases, may be better.
The issue with 100% pure stone is that it can stain easily and be difficult to maintain. With quartz, you don’t need to worry about staining as much, although you need to be careful with the cleaners you use.
What’s The Difference Between Quartz And Granite?
The main difference between quartz and granite is that granite is 100% natural, while quartz is made using other non-natural ingredients.
As we mentioned, most quartz is around 90% natural stone, which makes it almost natural. That said, the resins, pigments, and other artificial materials used in the mixture can make it look a bit different.
When it comes to their price, granite will be more expensive than quartz, which is understandable. Granite tends to have a more natural, untouched look, while quartz is shiny and reflects light.
If you’ve ever toured a nicer apartment complex, there are likely quartz counters in the kitchen. Quartz is a great high-end product with a moderate price tag, making it an excellent granite alternative.
According to experts, quartz generally costs between $70 to $100 per square foot, while granite ranges from $60 to $270 per square foot.
How Often Do You Have To Clean Quartz?
Although you don’t have to give quartz counters a deep clean every time you use them, we recommend wiping them down after each usage.
In general, quartz counters are pretty low-maintenance, so if you use a damp cloth to clean them down, you’ll be fine. Remember, these surfaces do best with non-abrasive cleaners and applicators, so the less aggressive you are, the better.
According to Architectural Digest, if you clean quartz countertops daily, you won’t have to worry about any damage down the road. Especially with stone surfaces, it’s best to get ahead of aging rather than have to repair it.
They also mention that using glass cleaners, soapy water, microfiber cloths, and soft sponges is the best idea for maintaining your quartz countertops.
So, although you don’t have to use heavy chemicals or treat your quartz every day or week, it’s better long-term to wipe them down daily/after using them.
Can I Use Clorox Wipes On My Quartz Counter?
Although Clorox wipes work for most surfaces in a home, we don’t recommend using them on quartz countertops. As we covered above, bleaching agents aren’t generally good for quartz or stone surfaces and can degrade their natural shine over time.
According to experts, using harsh products like Clorox on quartz and stone can give the appearance they’re clean while unintentionally damaging them.
That said, using Clorox on quartz every once in a while won’t destroy them. The degrading of their natural shine and quality will happen with prolonged usage.
Therefore, we recommend shifting towards a non-abrasive product, like glass cleaner, which will kill bacteria and add shine to your counters.
You can also use granite cleaning agents or natural stone cleaners for quartz, so there are plenty of alternatives to Clorox spray or wipes.
Check out our post: Can You Use Clorox On Quartz? for more.
Are Quartz Countertops Good?
Yes! Quartz countertops are one of the most desired high-end materials on the market. Since they mix the perfect amount of natural stone, artificial resins, and pigments, you get the best of both worlds.
Another benefit of quartz countertops is that they’re easy to clean and don’t damage easily. You can expect quartz surfaces to stay beautiful longer than other synthetic materials, as they contain mainly natural stone.
On top of that, quartz doesn’t cost as much as granite countertops, so if you want to save some money on your installation, they’re the perfect alternative.
According to Countertop Guides, quartz is also non-porous, which resists staining far better than granite. So in that way, it beats out the typically pricier option.
To Wrap It Up
Whether you want to install new countertops or have quartz in your home, it’s always good to know how to clean them. We found that you can use granite cleaners for quartz, as they are similar materials.
On top of that, granite cleaners often have polishing agents which can help preserve the beauty of your quartz surfaces. Furthermore, avoid harsh chemicals, abrasive products, and applicators for cleaning your quartz counters.
The gentler you are and the more often you wipe down your quartz surfaces, the better they’ll age. So be cautious of bleach and try to switch to an all-natural or less abrasive cleaner if possible!
Made it to the end? Check out these helpful related home articles below!
Quartzite Vs. Marble Vs. Quartz Countertops: Pros, Cons & Design Considerations
Dekton Vs. Quartz Countertops: Which Is Better For Your Project?
What Color Quartz Countertops Go With Maple Cabinets?
