How to Care for Quartz Countertops

Quartz is about as easy as a countertop gets. It never needs sealing, and everyday cleaning takes warm water and mild soap. The one thing to understand is the resin that holds quartz together. Heat and harsh chemicals can harm it, and almost every quartz care rule comes back to protecting it.

Everything below comes from three quartz makers: Caesarstone, MSI and Cambria. Where they disagree, we say so. If your countertop came with care instructions from its maker, follow those first.

Everyday Cleaning

All three makers say the same thing:

Caesarstone: “simply wipe the surface with a damp cloth and warm soapy water.”
MSI: “a soft cloth or sponge with warm water and a mild dish soap.”
Cambria: “Just use a little warm water, soft cotton cloth, and mild soap, if desired.”

Then dry it. Caesarstone says to “Thoroughly dry with a soft cloth or paper towel,” and MSI says drying “prevents water spots.”

That is it for most days.

No Sealing, No Polishing

You never need to seal quartz. MSI says “quartz is a nonporous surface, meaning it does not require sealing, polishing, or reconditioning.” Cambria says its quartz countertops “never require sealing, polishing, or reconditioning.” Caesarstone says its surfaces “don’t need to be sealed regularly to protect them from stains, mold and mildew.”

A newer MSI post says you “can occasionally apply a quartz polish to enhance shine.” That is optional, not required.

What to Keep Off Quartz

Bleach, ammonia and high pH cleaners. MSI says “Products containing bleach, ammonia, or high pH levels can damage the resin that binds the quartz crystals together.” Cambria lists bleach and oven cleaners among the products to keep off its quartz.

One maker is softer on bleach. Caesarstone suggests trying “a small amount of household bleach for lighter-colored surfaces” for a tough stain. Because the makers disagree, our advice is simple: skip bleach for everyday cleaning, and check your own quartz brand’s guide before using it on a stain.

Harsh chemicals. Caesarstone lists “oven/grill cleaners, toilet cleaners, and dishwasher polishing agents,” and says paint removers and strippers are “also chemicals to avoid.”

Scrubby pads. Caesarstone says “Don’t use abrasive sponges on your surfaces.” MSI says to “Avoid abrasive cleaners or scouring pads, as they can scratch the surface.”

Knives. MSI says cutting right on quartz “can dull your knives and potentially leave marks on the surface.” Caesarstone says to avoid “sharp objects and knives without a cutting board as a precaution.” Use a cutting board.

Heat: Always Use a Trivet

This is the rule that matters most with quartz.

MSI’s newest heat guide, updated in August 2026, says “quartz surfaces are safe up to about 150°F.” Its chart marks boiling water (212°F), fresh coffee and a slow cooker in use as not safe for direct contact. (An older MSI post gave 300°F. We go with the newer, more careful number.) MSI warns that hot pots “can cause thermal shock and potentially damage the resin binder,” and that hot pans “can leave scorch marks if placed directly on the surface.” Caesarstone says “Surfaces can be damaged by sudden and rapid temperature changes” and to “always use a hot pad or trivet.”

Cambria adds a list most people do not think about: “electric frying pans or griddles, slow cookers, air fryers, roaster ovens, and heat lamps.” Those sit in one place for a long time and send heat down into the counter. Cambria recommends “a closed-weave hot pad or solid trivet such as a breadboard under pots and pans.”

So: a trivet under every hot pan, and a board or pad under appliances that heat up while they run.

Sun

Florida sun is strong. MSI says “Quartz countertops can fade or discolor if exposed to direct sunlight for long periods,” and that “Most standard quartz is not recommended for outdoor use as UV exposure can discolor the resin.”

If one part of your counter sits in direct sun for hours every day, keep that in mind when you choose, and think about a blind or shade for that window.

Spills and Stains

Quartz resists stains, but it is not magic. MSI says “acidic or pigmented liquids like red wine, tomato sauce, or tea, can lead to discoloration if left untreated,” and to “Wipe up coffee, wine, and juice as soon as they happen.”

For stubborn spots, MSI suggests “a paste of baking soda and water,” spread over the stain, then gently scrubbed with a soft cloth and rinsed. For dried gunk, MSI suggests “a nonabrasive surface cleaner or a glass cleaner,” and for gum, nail polish or dried paint, a plastic putty knife, never a metal blade.

More steps in What to Do About a Stain on Your Countertop.

A Simple Care Checklist

Every day: warm water, mild soap, soft cloth, then dry.
Spills: wipe right away, especially wine, coffee, tea and tomato.
Hot pans and appliances: trivet or board, every time.
Knives: cutting board.
Cleaners: no bleach for daily cleaning, no ammonia, no oven or toilet cleaners, no scrub pads.
Sealing: never needed.

Do You Need Special Products?

No. Mild dish soap, warm water and a soft cloth handle almost everything. Keep a trivet by the stove and a cutting board on the counter, and quartz is about as easy as a countertop gets.