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.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cleaning and Maintaining Stone Countertops

What is the best way to clean stone countertops?

The best way to clean stone countertops is with a pH-neutral stone cleaner and a soft microfiber cloth. Natural stone surfaces such as granite, marble, quartzite, and dolomite can be damaged by acidic or abrasive products, so using stone-safe cleaners is essential for protecting the finish and extending the life of your countertops.

How do you properly maintain stone countertops?

Proper stone countertop maintenance includes:

• Cleaning with pH-neutral products
• Wiping up spills quickly
• Using cutting boards during food preparation
• Using coasters and trivets
• Following recommended sealing schedules
• Avoiding harsh chemicals and abrasive cleaners

These simple habits help preserve both appearance and long-term performance.

Can I use vinegar or bleach on stone countertops?

No. Vinegar, lemon juice, bleach, ammonia, and other harsh cleaners should never be used on natural stone countertops. These products can damage sealers, dull finishes, cause etching, and permanently affect the appearance of the stone.

How often should granite countertops be sealed?

Most granite countertops benefit from sealing every one to two years, depending on usage and the type of sealer applied. Regular sealing helps protect against stains, moisture absorption, and everyday wear while preserving the natural beauty of the stone.

Do quartz countertops need sealing?

No. Quartz countertops are non-porous and do not require sealing. However, homeowners should still avoid excessive heat, harsh chemicals, and abrasive scrubbers to keep quartz surfaces looking their best.

What countertop material is easiest to maintain?

Quartz and porcelain countertops are generally considered the lowest-maintenance countertop materials. Both resist staining, moisture, and bacteria, do not require sealing, and can typically be cleaned with mild soap and water.

How do I remove stains from stone countertops?

The best stain-removal method depends on both the stain and the countertop material.

• Oil-based stains may respond to a baking soda poultice.
• Organic stains can sometimes be treated with hydrogen peroxide.
• Hard water stains should be addressed using stone-safe cleaning products.

Avoid experimenting with aggressive cleaners that may cause additional damage.

How do I remove hard water stains from granite countertops?

Hard water stains are caused by mineral buildup left behind by water evaporation. Use a stone-safe cleaner designed for granite and natural stone surfaces. Avoid vinegar or acidic products, as they can damage sealers and affect the countertop's finish.

Is it safe to place hot pans directly on stone countertops?

It is not recommended. While granite and quartzite offer excellent heat resistance, sudden temperature changes can still stress the material. Quartz countertops are especially vulnerable to heat damage and discoloration. Using trivets and hot pads is always the safest option.

Can I cut directly on granite, quartz, or marble countertops?

No. Cutting directly on any countertop surface can damage knives and may scratch certain materials over time. Using a cutting board helps protect both the countertop and your kitchen tools.

What is the best cleaner for granite countertops?

Granite countertops should be cleaned with a pH-neutral cleaner specifically formulated for natural stone. Products designed for daily stone care help preserve sealers while removing dirt, grease, and everyday residue.

How do I keep marble countertops looking new?

Marble countertop care requires extra attention because marble is more susceptible to etching and staining than many other surfaces. Clean spills immediately, use stone-safe cleaners, avoid acidic foods and beverages, and maintain a regular sealing schedule to preserve its beauty.

Are porcelain countertops difficult to maintain?

No. Porcelain countertops are among the easiest surfaces to maintain. They resist stains, heat, moisture, and UV exposure, require no sealing, and can typically be cleaned using warm water, mild soap, and a microfiber cloth.

How long do stone countertops last?

With proper care, granite, quartzite, marble, dolomite, soapstone, quartz, and porcelain countertops can last for decades. Consistent cleaning, appropriate sealing, and preventative maintenance all contribute to maximizing countertop lifespan and preserving value.

When should I call a professional for stone countertop repair?

Consider professional stone restoration if you notice:

• Deep etching
• Persistent stains
• Chips or cracks
• Burn marks
• Significant discoloration
• Loss of polish or shine

Professional restoration services can often repair damage and restore the countertop's original appearance.

What is the best way to protect stone countertops long-term?

The most effective way to protect stone countertops is through consistent preventative care. Clean surfaces with stone-safe products, seal natural stone as recommended, wipe up spills promptly, use cutting boards and trivets, and follow material-specific maintenance guidelines. These practices help preserve beauty, performance, and resale value for years to come.

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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