The Ultimate Guide to Cleaning and Maintaining Stone Countertops in Your Home

A beautiful stone countertop is more than a work surface. It is a long-term investment that shapes the entire look and feel of your home. From granite and quartz to marble, dolomite, quartzite, porcelain, and soapstone, every material requires proper cleaning and care to preserve its beauty and performance. At Design Surfaces in Westlake, serving homeowners, designers, and contractors across Cleveland, we guide you toward choosing the right surfaces and maintaining them with confidence. With the right routine and the right products, your countertops can look stunning for decades.

Why Stone Countertop Care Matters

Every stone surface has unique characteristics, and proper maintenance ensures you protect color, finish, and structural integrity. Routine care helps you:

• Prevent stains, etching, and dullness
• Extend the lifespan of your countertops
• Maintain hygiene in kitchens and bathrooms
• Protect your home investment and resale value
• Avoid costly repairs or refinishing

Choosing the correct cleaner and knowing what to avoid is essential for long-term performance.

How to Clean Every Type of Stone Countertop

Below is the updated, accurate care guidance based on Design Surfaces’ official recommendations.

Granite Countertops

Granite is durable, but it is still porous and requires proper maintenance.

Daily Cleaning: Use pH-neutral cleaners or Custom AquaShield Cleaner & Resealer from Design Surfaces for everyday cleaning and sealing in one step.

Avoid:

• Acidic products like vinegar or lemon
• Harsh chemicals
• Cutting directly on the stone (can dull knives and scratch granite)

Sealing: Use Custom Sealer’s Choice Gold annually or biannually for maximum stain protection.

Quick Tips:

• Always place raw meat on a board, not directly on granite
• Blot spills rather than wiping

Marble Countertops

Marble is elegant but sensitive to acids and abrasive products.

Daily Cleaning: Use warm water and a mild, pH-neutral cleaner or Custom AquaShield Cleaner & Resealer.

Avoid:

• Vinegar, Windex, bleach
• Lemon wedges or citrus spills
• Abrasive pads or powders

Sealing: Seal regularly with Sealer’s Choice Gold.

Stain Removal:

• Use a baking soda poultice for oil
• Hydrogen peroxide for organic stains

Dolomite Countertops

Dolomite is often chosen for its marble-like appearance but requires similar care.

Daily Cleaning: Use AquaShield Cleaner & Resealer or a mild pH-neutral cleaner.

Avoid:

• Anything acidic
• Abrasive tools
• Bleach or ammonia

Sealing: Apply Sealer’s Choice Gold once or twice a year.

Tip: Always use hot pads and trivets to protect the surface.

Quartzite Countertops

Quartzite is strong and heat-resistant but still benefits from protection.

Daily Cleaning: pH-neutral cleaner or Custom AquaShield Cleaner & Resealer.

Maintenance: Seal annually with Sealer’s Choice Gold.

Tips:

• Use coasters under mugs
• Use trivets for hot pans
• Blot spills quickly, especially wine or citrus

Quartz Countertops

Quartz is nonporous and easy to maintain, ideal for busy households.

Daily Cleaning: Mild dish soap and water or non-abrasive cleaner.

Avoid:

• Strong chemicals
• Abrasive scrubbers
• High heat directly on the surface

Tough Stains: Use Custom NanoScrub, available at Design Surfaces.

Tip: Scrape dried spills with a plastic scraper.

Porcelain Countertops

Porcelain offers excellent durability and resistance to stains, heat, and chemicals.

Daily Cleaning: Warm water, mild dish soap, and a microfiber cloth.

Avoid: Abrasive pads that can dull the finish.

Maintenance: No sealing required.

Soapstone Countertops

Soapstone is nonporous and naturally stain-resistant.

Daily Cleaning: Standard dish soap and water.

Optional: Use mineral oil to deepen color and enhance veining.

Durability: Scratches can be sanded and re-oiled.

General Stone Countertop Care Rules

Regardless of material, always follow these universal care tips:

• Use cutting boards for food prep
• Blot spills immediately
• Use coasters, trivets, and hot pads
• Avoid acidic cleaners
• Dry the surface after cleaning
• Use stone-safe, pH-neutral cleansers only

Common Mistakes to Avoid

To prevent damage, avoid:

• Placing hot pans directly on stone
• Using vinegar, lemon juice, bleach, or ammonia
• Scrubbing with steel wool or abrasive pads
• Letting water pool near seams
• Skipping recommended sealing schedules

These mistakes can cause etching, discoloration, scratching, or long-term structural issues.

When to Call a Professional for Stone Repair

Even with proper care, some stone countertop issues require expert restoration rather than DIY fixes. Homeowners should contact a professional if they notice deep etching on marble, burn marks from hot pans, chips or cracks, or stains that have been absorbed into unsealed stone. Dull or heavily worn granite may also need a professional re-polishing, while quartz discoloration is often heat damage that cannot be corrected at home. Design Surfaces partners with trusted stone care specialists who can restore the surface safely and help extend the life of your investment.

Quick Answers to Common Stone Care Questions

Can I use antibacterial wipes on stone?

Only if labeled stone safe. Many contain acids or bleach that damage natural stone and weaken sealers.

Do quartz countertops need sealing?

No. Quartz is nonporous, but spills should still be cleaned promptly and harsh chemicals avoided.

Can I remove marble etching myself?

Light etching may improve with polishing powder, but deeper marks require professional resurfacing.

Is vinegar safe on stone?

No. Vinegar, lemon, and acidic cleaners can etch marble, dolomite, and some granites.

Can I place hot pans directly on stone?

Not recommended. Thermal shock can crack stone, and quartz can discolor. Always use trivets.

Is it safe to cut directly on stone?

No. Cutting directly can scratch the surface and dull knives. Use cutting boards.

How do I remove dried food or residue?

Use a plastic scraper, then clean with a pH neutral cleaner. For quartz, Custom NanoScrub at Design Surfaces works well for stubborn spots.

Protect Your Investment with Proper Care and Expert Guidance

Knowing how to clean stone countertops properly helps preserve your home’s beauty and functionality for years. Whether you have granite in the kitchen, marble in a spa-like bath, or quartzite on an outdoor bar, the right care routine makes all the difference. For personalized guidance and to explore premium granite, quartz, quartzite, marble, dolomite, porcelain, and soapstone slabs in person, visit the Design Surfaces showroom in Westlake. Serving Cleveland’s west side communities, including Bay Village, Rocky River, Lakewood, and Avon, our experts will help you choose the perfect surface and maintain it with confidence.

​​Call: 440.899.9900 • Contact: Submit a Request • Email: info@designsurfaces.com

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