From granite to marble to quartz, these countertop materials need varying levels of TLC from you as a homeowner. Your counters will last much longer and perform better if you stay on top of regular cleaning and maintenance. This may range from wiping up spills immediately to sealing the countertops yearly.

Here is your guide to countertop care and maintenance depending on the type of stone you have.

Granite

In order to look and perform its best, granite should be sealed regularly. This will ensure stains and degradation do not occur over the years. Granite is a durable natural stone that can withstand harsh conditions better than any other. Because it’s a porous material, it will absorb liquids to varying degrees.

In general, darker color granite doesn’t need to be sealed quite as often as lighter slabs because it’s denser and less porous. Still, you should plan on sealing your darker granite once a year, but every six months for lighter shades.

To figure out if you need to seal your countertop, do the water drop test. Every few months,

drip water onto a small area on your countertop. If it gets absorbed into the surface within five or so minutes, it’s time to seal it. If the water can penetrate the surface, other liquids such as coffee, juices and oils can as well.

Marble

Marble is certainly elegant, versatile, and durable, just like most natural stones, but it still needs occasional conditioning and cleaning. This will not only preserve its beauty but prolong its life as well. Marble is absorbent and can easily get stained with spills from liquids or oil. Plus, it’s sensitive to acids like vinegar, citrus juices or household cleaning chemicals. Here are a few care tips to follow for marble countertops:

• Routinely seal your marble.
• Use honed marble on floors because it is more resistant to scratches.
• Don’t use polished marble in high-traffic areas.
• Place non-slip mats or rugs at the entrance to your home to minimize soil from dirt.
• Wipe up spills right away.
• Use coasters under glasses or bottles.
• Use mats or trivets under hot items.
• Follow a daily cleaning routine.
• Rinse using clean, warm water.
• Don’t use abrasives on marble, as it can cause scratches.
• Steer clear of chemical cleaners, acids like lime juice, grout cleaners, or tile cleaners, as they will etch or dull the stone.
• Do not attempt to remove stains with a mixture of ammonia and bleach, as the resulting gas is toxic and can be lethal.
• Don’t clean spills with hot water, which will make the stain worse.

Quartz

You should clean your quartz countertop on a daily basis if you use it a lot. Always remove stuck-on food and spills so they don’t dry and stain. For that, use warm water and a mild dish detergent solution, then use a soft towel to clean the countertop surface in a circular motion. Dry with a clean towel and fresh water with a paper towel or a soft dry towel.

It’s also safe to use a vinegar and water mixture if you don’t want to use a commercial product.  

Avoid using ammonia-based glass cleaners because they can dull the stone’s surface over time.

Remove dried-on residue such as food or glue right away. It’s OK to use a plastic putty knife to gently scape away all the gunk; don’t use metal utensils to pry dried-on objects from the surface, as you could gouge or scratch the counter.

Contact Granite Guy

To learn more tips for care of your stone countertop, or to schedule a free consultation, contact Granite Guy now at 508-460-7900.