How to Clean Kitchen Counters: Tile, Quartz, Granite and More

A clean kitchen is a healthy kitchen. And the kitchen counter is a top spot for bacteria and viruses to hide. Whether your kitchen surface is granite, quartz, or laminate, check out our how-tos and tips for clean kitchen counters.

Cleaning tile countertops and grout

Ceramic, porcelain, and glass tiles are popular tile countertops. Although they are usually easy to clean kitchen counter options, there’s grout to contend with.

Even perfectly clean kitchen tiles won’t look their best with grungy grouting. So, don’t forget to clean the grout too!

It should be sealed every six months since grout is porous, making it very absorbent. Check the grout manufacturer’s instructions before you begin.

Cleaning tile

Kitchen grease and food splatters can quickly dull your kitchen tiles and grout. So, give them a quick scrub, and they’ll be sparkling again in no time.

Wet & Forget Indoor can easily clean up stubborn grease and grime. Simply spray on your counter, then rinse and wipe with a clean cloth or sponge. For some tile surfaces, you can remove stuck-on bits with a mild abrasive. Then rinse and wipe dry.

When using a mild abrasive, always check with the manufacturer first.

Deep cleaning grout

What You’ll Need:

• Protective gloves
• Kitchen sponge
• Hot water
• Commercial grout cleaner, or a 50-50 blend of water and vinegar in a spray bottle
• An old toothbrush or a soft bristle cleaning brush
• Kitchen towel

Steps to cleaning tile countertops and grout:

1. To remove surface dirt, wipe down the grout lines with hot water.
2. Apply the cleaning solution. Be sure to let the solution sit on the surface for five minutes.
3. Scrub the grout with a soft-bristle brush or old toothbrush and rinse with hot water.
4. Remove any remaining water with a kitchen towel. Allow the grout to dry for 24 hours, then apply a commercial grout sealer to help prevent future stains.

Here are two additional methods for removing stubborn grout stains-

Baking soda method

Make a paste of two parts baking soda to one part water. Apply it to the stain. Let it sit overnight. Scrub the area with a soft-bristle brush. Rinse with warm water and towel dry.

Sandpaper method

Fold a square of fine-grit into quarters. Then run the creased edge over the stain until it disappears. Finally, rinse with warm water and towel dry.

Pro Tip: If you would rather not use a commercial grout cleaner, apply ‘whitening’ toothpaste. The toothpaste will act as a mild abrasive to remove dirt and grime.

Learn more detailed grout cleaning tips here.

Disclaimer: These cleaning how-tos are general in nature. For detailed cleaning instructions for your specific countertop, refer to the manufacturer’s instruction manual.

Cleaning quartz (engineered stone) counters

Quartz countertops are factory-produced by bonding 90% ground quartz with 8-10% stain-resistant polymers, resins, and pigments. Thus, creating a hard, stone-like surface.

Quickly wipe up food spills on quartz countertops, so they don’t dry. If left uncleaned, it may stain your countertop.

To clean a quartz counter, use a mild liquid dishwashing detergent, warm water, and a soft cloth. For more stubborn stains, use a glass cleaner and a non-abrasive cleaning pad.

If you’re dealing with dried-on messes, then keep a plastic knife or old credit card handy. This will help prevent scratches on your countertop when trying to remove the dried-on mess.

Furthermore, if you want to disinfect your countertops, avoid disinfecting wipes- especially if it contains citric acid. If used frequently, it will break down the protective sealant. Using a non-acidic cleaner, such as Wet & Forget Indoor, is ideal for disinfecting quartz countertops.

Cleaning natural stone (granite, marble, and soapstone)

To clean natural stone countertops, avoid using abrasive cleaners. Instead, use a neutral cleaner, stone soap, or a cleaner recommended by the manufacturer.

This method will remove dirt and stains and restore the beauty of your countertops. Another option includes mild liquid dishwashing soap and a soft cloth as well.

If you see dirt in crevasses where the sections meet, remove the dirt with a toothbrush, mild dishwashing soap, and water, as mentioned above.

Moreover, retain granite’s moisture-repellent qualities by resealing your counters once a year to extend their lifespan.

Over time, your granite counters may gradually appear dull after years of food prep. So, hire a professional to deep clean and reseal the surface. Doing so will keep the granite looking new from the shine and luster.

Pro Tip: Add a glossy shine to your clean granite countertop with a 1/2 teaspoon of cooking oil applied to a soft cloth. Then, wipe the oil over the surface and gently buff with a second cloth.

For more tips on cleaning kitchen countertops, visit here.

Cleaning wood countertops

Wood countertops are naturally beautiful and eco-friendly. The most popular wood species for counters are maple, oak, cherry, walnut, and butcher block. A butcher block top comprises strips of wood glued together to make a thick slab.

To clean a wood countertop, use a commercial wood cleaner and a sponge. Apply the product to the sponge, then scrub and rinse.

Or whip up a natural, DIY blend of warm water with a little distilled white vinegar and spray onto the surface. Then wipe away the remaining moisture on the surface.

However, since wood is porous, make sure to wipe away any remaining moisture as it will seep into the surface.

In addition, a regular application of beeswax or mineral oil will condition the wood, keeping it in good shape. This regular application helps to repel water which can make your counters last longer.

It’s important to hire a countertop specialist to varnish and reseal wood counters every few years. Plus, bacteria and viruses can harbor if the wood counter hasn’t been properly sealed.

Do not use bleach or abrasive cleaners as they will damage the natural wood surface.

General countertop cleaning

Tackle those grimy kitchen countertops with Wet & Forget Indoor Mold+Mildew Disinfectant Cleaner. Wet & Forget Indoor cleans, deodorizes, and disinfects hard, non-porous kitchen surfaces.

The handy bleach-free formula kills 99.9% of bacteria & viruses* and inhibits the growth of mold and mildew. Moreover, Wet & Forget Indoor cuts through the toughest kitchen grease and stuck-on grime. After one spray, it will leave behind clean kitchen counters for your next cooking excursion.

As a disinfectant, Wet & Forget® Indoor Mold+ Mildew Disinfectant Cleaner kills: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella enterica, Serratia marcescens, *Human Coronavirus,*lnfluenza Virus Type A/ Hong Kong, *SARS Associated Coronavirus cause of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, *SARS-Related Coronavirus 2 SARS-CoV-2 cause of COVID-19, *Vaccinia (Pox Virus), *Norwalk Virus (Norovirus), *Rotavirus.

Clean kitchen counters are essential for safe food prep and to keep them looking their best. The how-tos above will help you keep your kitchen counters shiny, sanitary, and looking great. Check out our blog for more home cleaning tips as well as kitchen organization tips and how-tos.

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