Short answer: wipe granite with a neutral cleaner made for stone, and test once in a while to see if it needs resealing. Wipe quartz with warm water, a soft cloth and mild soap. Cambria quartz needs no sealing. With either material, use trivets and cutting boards, skip the scouring powder, and follow the care page for the exact product you installed.
Fabricators and showroom staff can share this page with buyers as it is, or use it to write their own care sheet. Sources were checked on 2026-11-03.
Care at a glance
| Granite | Quartz (engineered) | |
|---|---|---|
| Daily wipe | Neutral cleaner made for stone | Warm water, soft cloth, mild soap |
| Sealing | Most granites, on no fixed schedule | Cambria: none. Other brands: see their care page |
| Check for sealing | Hot water test (below) | Not applicable |
| Avoid | Scouring powders and creams; vinegar unless your supplier clears it | Strong acids and alkalis, solvents, oven cleaner, oil soaps |
| Hot pans | Use a trivet | Use a trivet |
| Cutting | Use a cutting board | Use a cutting board |
Cleaning granite
The Natural Stone Institute (NSI) says to "clean stone surfaces with a neutral cleaner, stone soap, or a mild liquid dishwashing detergent and warm water" (NSI).
Its granite care article goes further on the daily routine, and one point differs. An expert quoted there recommends "wiping granite counters daily with a neutral cleaner," adding: "That's all that's needed." Another warns about dish detergent: "Soap has a fatty acid that leaves a greasy film, which can dull or leave streaks on stone surfaces" (NSI, Caring for Granite).
So mild dish soap is on NSI's list, but a daily stone cleaner avoids the film. NSI also says that "most major brands of cleaners make a version that is safe for stone surfaces," so read the label.
What to avoid on granite:
- Scouring powders and creams. NSI says they "often contain abrasives that may scratch certain stones" (NSI).
- Vinegar, unless your supplier clears it. NSI's technical bulletin says "some granite species" contain minerals "which could be attacked by exposure to acidic solutions," and: "Do not use vinegar as a cleaning agent without consulting your stone supplier" (NSI bulletin).
- Harsh chemicals generally. They shorten the life of the sealer. One expert in NSI's article says that what breaks down a sealer, besides oxidation from sunlight and air, is "using improper cleaners" (NSI).
- Ammonia mixed with bleach. "Do not mix ammonia and bleach. This combination creates a toxic and lethal gas" (NSI).
Sealing granite
Does it need it? NSI's article says its experts "recommend sealing most granites, but the timeline can vary depending on use and which sealer was applied." It adds that "some granites, such as Absolute Black, may not require sealing, or will only need one application of sealer" (NSI).
How to check. The same article gives a simple test: "Put a little hot water on an area, let it sit for 10 to 20 minutes, and then wipe it off." Then: "If the stone darkens, it's still absorbing moisture. If it doesn't, it's sealed."
How often? There's no fixed schedule, so be careful about promising one to a buyer. NSI's article says "a good sealer can last up to 10 years if using the right products to clean daily." Test the stone and go by the result, and follow the instructions for the sealer you use: "Check the manufacturers recommendations for how the product should be applied."
What to tell the buyer: "Sealing does not make the stone stain proof, rather it makes the stone more stain resistant" (NSI). Spills should still be wiped up.
Cleaning quartz
Engineered quartz is a different material, made with resin (what's in it), and each brand publishes its own care rules. Two examples:
Cambria says: "Simply wipe with warm water, a soft cotton cloth, and mild soap, if desired" (Cambria).
Caesarstone says: "Regular cleaning with mild soap and water or a pH-neutral cleaner will help maintain the surface's beauty for years to come." It also advises testing a recommended product on "an inconspicuous area" first (Caesarstone).
What Caesarstone says to avoid:
- "strong chemicals and solvents, and strong acids or alkalis, oxidizers or similar materials, regardless of pH."
- Harsh products "such as: oven/grill cleaners, dishwasher detergent, floor strippers, oil soaps, paint removers/strippers, etc."
- "products containing oils as they may leave a residue."
- Stone cleaners on quartz. Caesarstone's do-not-use list includes "wipes and cleaners specific to granite, marble and other natural stones." So in a kitchen with both materials, the granite cleaner may not suit the quartz.
If a surface is accidentally exposed to one of these, Caesarstone says to "rinse immediately with water." For dried spills, it says they "should be reanimated with water for several minutes" before cleaning.
Does quartz need sealing?
Not Cambria: it "requires no sealing, polishing, or reconditioning," and its surface "is resistant to staining and eliminates the need for any sealing" (Cambria). Caesarstone's care page doesn't list sealing as a step. For any other brand, check that manufacturer's care page.
Heat and scratches: use a trivet and a board on both
Don't tell a buyer that either material is heat-proof or scratch-proof.
- Heat on quartz: Cambria says it "may not withstand the direct transfer of heat from pots and pans and other cooking units," naming appliances such as electric frying pans, griddles, air fryers and slow cookers. It recommends "a closed-weave hot pad or solid trivet." Caesarstone says: "Always place hot cookware on trivet and hot pads."
- Scratches on quartz: Cambria says it's "scratch resistant; however, no stone surface is scratch-proof," and that marks show more on monotone designs. Caesarstone says: "Always use cutting board and clear away sharp objects."
- Chips on quartz: Cambria notes that "objects hitting edges, particularly at sinks or dishwashers, may cause chips."
- Granite: NSI's article gives the same habit: "Make sure to use cutting boards, trivets, and cooling racks."
Not sure it's granite or quartz?
Care depends on what the stone actually is. Marble, limestone and travertine are acid-sensitive: NSI says vinegar "should never be used on calcareous stones." If a buyer's "quartzite" is showing etch marks, it may not be quartzite (how to test it).
Bringing care into the sale
Care is often what decides between stones, so raise it before the buyer chooses:
- Ask how they use the kitchen. Someone who doesn't want to think about resealing may lean toward quartz. Someone who wants natural stone may be happy to run a water test now and then.
- Give them the care sheet for the exact product, not a general one. Rules vary by brand and stone.
- Don't overpromise. "Stain resistant" and "scratch resistant" are what the sources say. "Stain proof" and "scratch proof" aren't.
Once care has narrowed the material, the buyer still has to pick a color. Countertop Visualizer shows the slabs you carry on a photo of the buyer's kitchen in about 20 seconds, so they can compare granite and quartz on their own counters. It's for choosing a color, and it doesn't tell you how a stone will wear. 7 days free, then $250/month. A card is required at signup.