New countertops look great, and the first few weeks matter. A new surface needs different care than the old one. Many people clean it the old way and cause damage.
Know Your Material First
Quartz, granite, marble, butcher block, laminate, and solid surface all react differently to cleaners. A cleaner that is fine on quartz can etch marble. Keep the care sheet from your installer. Show it to your cleaner. It is the best guide for your countertop.
Natural Stone Needs Gentle Care
Granite and marble are usually sealed after install. The seal can take weeks to cure. Harsh or acid cleaners and hard scrubbing can hurt it during that time. Use a gentle, pH-neutral cleaner until you know the seal has set.
Quartz Is Tough, Not Unbreakable
Quartz resists stains and scratches better than stone. Bleach and strong solvents can still harm the resin in it. Quartz does not need sealing. That makes it easier to care for later.
Leftover Install Residue
Installers can leave glue, sealant, or a film on the surface. This residue is stubborn. It is not the same as normal buildup. Tell us about it before the visit. Heavy install residue is outside our standard checklist, and we will say so before you book.
Check the Edges and Seams
New counters often have seams. Fine dust and debris can sit in them. The edge, the seams, and the spot where the counter meets the backsplash are easy to miss with a quick wipe. Look at them closely in the first few cleanings.
Daily Care After the First Weeks
Once any seal has cured, care is simple. You wipe the counter as part of your normal kitchen or bath clean. The one thing to remember is which products to avoid for your material.
What to Tell Your Cleaner
When you book, tell us the material, when it was installed, and whether you have care instructions. Then we know what to be careful with from the first visit.
Bottom Line
Protect new counters from day one. Know the material. Let stone seals cure. Tell us about any install residue. For a lighter job, standard cleaning starts at $135+ for a studio, $145+ for a 1BR, and $195+ for a 2BR. A deep clean starts at $210+, $220+, and $270+. It adds a harder scrub and cleaning of select appliances, inside and out. After a big remodel, see our post-renovation cleaning service.