The Countertop Material That's The Easiest To Clean, According To Our Cleaning Influencer

When renovating your kitchen, choosing your countertop is a big deal. Not only is it the focal point of the room, but the material is often very pricey. To avoid making a crucial mistake when choosing your countertops, you need to be realistic about your cleaning needs. DIY cleaning influencer Alissa Schow, known on Instagram as @home.and.chaos, wholeheartedly supports this idea. "Any time you are installing countertops, do your homework first," Schow said in an exclusive statement to House Digest. "Know what you're getting into to be able [to] clean and maintain it."

If you want countertops that look classy and beautiful while still being affordable and easy to clean, quartz is likely the best option for you. It comes in a variety of shades and designs, making it easy to find the right slab for your dream kitchen. It also comes at a lower price point than many other stones, costing an average of $60 per square foot, which is a steal compared to the $75- to $250-per-square-foot price of marble.

When deciding whether or not a material will be easy to clean, you first must learn whether it's porous or non-porous. A porous material has small holes — or pores — that allow water and air to seep in. Granite and marble are two popular countertop options that are porous, meaning you have to seal them in order to prevent the accumulation of mold and bacteria. A non-porous surface, on the other hand, doesn't have these holes, so any liquid or spills will simply run off.

This is one of the reasons why Alissa Schow recommended quartz for countertops in her exclusive statement to House Digest. "This stone is non-porous, so it does not easily stain or etch," she said. "Other than cleaning regularly, quartz doesn't require any ongoing maintenance." Since you don't have to worry about sealing or staining them, non-porous countertops make upkeep much easier. Even if you choose a white quartz that looks similar to marble, it won't stain nearly as easily.

"While marble is gorgeous, I'd never put it in my kitchen (think tomato sauce, wine, etc.)," Schow said. If you have a marble or granite countertop, you should never wait to clean up spills since these materials can easily stain. The same spill on a quartz countertop, however, won't cause as much damage because there's no way for the liquid to soak into the countertop itself.

While quartz is a hardy stone, you still want to be cautious when cleaning it so that it stays beautiful. Never use harsh cleaners that contain citric acid, as this will wear down the sealant and damage the stone's surface. Instead, use cleaners that are effective but not overly harsh. Alissa Schow uses a few different cleaners, depending on the needs of the space. In her exclusive statement to House Digest, she explained, "I use Branch Basics, the Pink Stuff, and also a DIY version of a spray bottle with ½ white distilled vinegar and ½ water."

Branch Basics offers plant- and mineral-based cleaners without any harmful preservatives or fragrances, making it ideal for people with sensitive skin and homes with delicate surfaces. The Pink Stuff is a viral cleaning paste that has taken TikTok by storm, gaining thousands of online views for its cleaning power and aggressive pink color. Of course, when all else fails, a trusty white vinegar solution is a cleaning classic.

You can clean as normal with any of these products, whether you're spot-cleaning or giving your countertops a wipe-down. Once you're done, use a paper towel or dishcloth to dry the surface. Luckily, if you have quartz countertops, you don't have to worry about soaking up every drop of moisture.