Oh yeah, dilute it. It doesn't take but a drop or two. I hesitate to say that it will be safe on all painted surfaces, because that has more to do with the paint quality and how it was applied than it does the cleaning products used. If you have factory finished painted cabinets, then it will be fine. A microfiber cloth is the other magic ingredient. If you are having issues with grease in your kitchen anywhere other than around your immediate cooktop, the first thing to do is to address your venting. It's not adequate.

People are likely to tell you to do a search--which is a good idea. There have been several threads on this in here and I definitely found them helpful. In the meantime, I can tell you that I have carrara on my perimeter countertops. My GC and KD both said "NO WAY" in the beginning, but I forged ahead! Mine have been in for about six weeks and I love them. The biggest cons you'll hear are staining and etching. I haven't had any staining issues at all. My husband left a lid from a margarita mix container on one counter and it did etch (acidic). But I'm pretty sure I'm the only person who can find it. What you'll generally hear on here is that if you're willing to live with some "patina" meaning some etching and possibly staining (though there are poultice recipes that people seem to have great success with), then marble is a great choice. If you want a completely blemish-free surface, it may not be for you. Definitely do a search on here, though--and good luck!

Blue222q: thank you for the compliment on the kitchen! I made a mistake in my measurements because we went through a few modifications on the island and I wasn't reading the most recent modifications when I posted the measurements. The wood counters are 24 1/2 inches each, and the quartz is 78 1/2 inches, giving a total of 127 inches. I love the wood counters. I have a lot of counter space around the perimeter of my kitchen (which is the same quartz as the island) and it really needed something to break up all the white marble looking quartz. Plus I have grayish marble floor tiles. The wood adds warmth to it and I really like the 2 surfaces. I have only had it for a few weeks now but I absolutely am grateful my kitchen designer thought of the wood. It is raised a little above the quartz which I suggest as well. So the wood is not flush with the quartz, intentionally. I could have gone with a thicker wood but for every inch you add on a wood counter, the cost really goes up and I didn't think I really needed a thicker piece of wood. The quartz was put down first in the middle of the island and then the wood on the ends. So the wood is not sitting on top of the quartz. The guys that put in the quartz, ran white caulk(I think that is what it is) on the seam where the wood meets up with the quartz. You don't notice it at all. I'm assuming the wood counter is glued onto the cabinets in the island but I wasn't around when the wood was installed. The book match is good and I'm assuming the more pattern your quartz has, the more you can hide the seam. I don't have a lot of pattern and you do see a very slight line that runs horizontal in the middle of the quartz. You really don't notice it. I'll have to take more photos for you to see it.

My quartz countertops are not technically in the "marble look" list, though people have asked me if they are marble. It has some of the same colors, but not the pattern. I've had them for one year and so far no issues. They look just like the day they were installed. In fact, I just ordered a piece for my island, which has a butcher block piece. One thing I like about mine is that the pattern is such that the seam barely shows. I have also seen my quartz on mid tone wood, dark wood and white cabinets. However, the overall look is warm, so it might not work with a cool gray. In this light it looks cooler: https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~58831076 Here you can see some of the warmer tones: https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~88667617 This might not be the look for you, but I am pleased with quartz and have no problem recommending quartz countertops.