How to Care for Natural Stone Countertops

Natural stone rewards a simple routine. Clean with a neutral cleaner made for stone, wipe spills promptly, use cutting boards and trivets, and seal when the stone starts absorbing water. How often you need to seal depends on the stone and the sealer, not a fixed calendar. Marble needs the most care because it etches from acids; granite and quartzite are much more forgiving.

Care at a Glance by Stone

Daily Cleaning

The Natural Stone Institute recommends a neutral cleaner for daily maintenance of granite, and advises against using dish detergent every day, because soap can leave a greasy film that dulls or streaks stone. For quartzite, it recommends a gentle cleanser, water and a soft cloth. For marble, experts it quotes recommend a mild cleaner made for stone and caution against any product that suggests testing it first.

Sealing: How Often, Really?

There's no single schedule. The Natural Stone Institute notes sealing timelines vary depending on use and which sealer was applied, and that a good granite sealer can last up to 10 years with the right daily cleaners. For quartzite, it notes that modern sealers protect stone for anywhere from 1 to 10 years. For marble, the experts it quotes give a wide range, from about six months to more than ten years depending on the product.

• Check with water: the Natural Stone Institute suggests leaving a little hot water on the surface for 10 to 20 minutes. If the stone darkens, it's still absorbing moisture and may benefit from sealing.
• Watch the sink area: stone that darkens around the sink when wet may need resealing.
• Follow the sealer's instructions, and ask your fabricator which product suits your stone.

Wipe Up Spills Promptly

Wine, coffee, oil and citrus are the usual culprits. On marble, the experts quoted by the Natural Stone Institute note that red wine wiped up immediately usually won't stain, but its acid may still etch. For the difference, see marble etching vs. staining.

Use Cutting Boards and Trivets

Cutting directly on granite or quartzite dulls your knives; the Natural Stone Institute notes quartzite is hard enough to do so. On marble, cutting boards also protect against scratches and acidic food. Use trivets for hot pans: the Natural Stone Institute discourages direct, localized heat on granite because sharp temperature differences can crack stone.

What to Avoid

• Everyday dish soap on granite (can leave a dulling film)
• Acidic cleaners such as vinegar or lemon on marble
• Abrasive powders and scouring pads
• Hot pans placed directly on the stone

Frequently Asked Questions

Planning Stone Countertops? Get a Quote from Mega Solutions

Mega Solutions installs granite, quartzite, marble and quartz countertops, and also sells and installs cabinets. Request a personalized quote based on your measurements and the stone you like.

Sources

• Natural Stone Institute, "How to Care for Your Granite Countertops": usenaturalstone.org
• Natural Stone Institute, "Caring for Quartzite Countertops": usenaturalstone.org
• Natural Stone Institute, "How to Care for Your Marble Countertops": usenaturalstone.org
• Natural Stone Institute, "What Is Granite? Technical Data and Best Practices": naturalstoneinstitute.org