The Truth About Stone Maintenance
Here's something the stone industry doesn't always communicate well: stone maintenance is simpler than most people fear, but more important than most people realize. A properly maintained stone surface will look stunning for generations. A neglected one will show its age within years.
As Parisi Stone's Technical Director, I've seen both outcomes thousands of times. This guide will ensure yours is the first.
Understanding Stone Porosity
Before diving into care routines, it's essential to understand why different stones need different treatment. The key variable is porosity — how many microscopic pores exist in the stone's surface.
High porosity (needs sealing): Marble, limestone, travertine Medium porosity (needs sealing): Granite, sandstone Non-porous (no sealing needed): Engineered quartz, sintered stone
Porous stones can absorb liquids, which leads to staining. Sealing fills these pores with a protective barrier, dramatically reducing absorption. It doesn't make the stone stain-proof — it makes it stain-resistant and gives you time to wipe up spills.
Marble Care: The Definitive Guide
Daily Cleaning
Use a soft cloth or sponge with warm water and a few drops of pH-neutral dish soap. Avoid anything acidic (vinegar, lemon juice, many "natural" cleaners) and anything abrasive (Comet, Soft Scrub, steel wool). Wipe the surface dry after cleaning to prevent water spots.Sealing Schedule
Seal your marble countertops every 6-12 months. The "water test" tells you when it's time: sprinkle a few drops of water on the surface. If the water beads up, your seal is intact. If it absorbs within a few minutes (leaving a dark spot), it's time to reseal.How to seal: Apply a quality impregnating sealer (we recommend Tenax Proseal or StoneTech BulletProof) with a clean cloth. Let it penetrate for 15-20 minutes, then buff off excess. The whole process takes about 30 minutes.
Dealing with Etching
Etching (dull spots from acid exposure) is marble's Achilles heel. For light etching, a marble polishing powder can restore the shine. For deep etching, professional refinishing may be necessary.Prevention is key: Use coasters under glasses, wipe up citrus and wine immediately, and never use vinegar-based cleaners. Many of our clients choose a honed (matte) finish specifically because it makes etching virtually invisible.
Stain Removal
For organic stains (coffee, wine, food), apply a poultice of baking soda mixed with water to the stain. Cover with plastic wrap and let sit for 24-48 hours. The poultice will draw the stain out of the pores.For oil-based stains (cooking oil, cosmetics), use a poultice of baking soda mixed with acetone instead of water.
Granite Care: Simple and Effective
Daily Cleaning
Granite is more forgiving than marble. Warm water and dish soap on a soft cloth is all you need. While granite is acid-resistant, we still recommend avoiding harsh chemical cleaners as they can degrade the sealant over time.Sealing Schedule
Most granites should be sealed once per year. Some very dense granites (like Absolute Black) are naturally low-porosity and may only need sealing every 2-3 years. Use the same water test described above to check.Heat and Scratching
Granite is remarkably heat-resistant — you can place a hot pan on it without damage. However, we still recommend trivets to protect the sealant. Granite's 6-7 Mohs hardness means it won't scratch under normal kitchen use, but it can dull knife blades if you cut directly on it.Chip Repair
Minor chips can be repaired with a color-matched epoxy. For larger damage, a professional stone restoration specialist can grind and polish the area to be nearly invisible.Quartz Care: Almost Effortless
Daily Cleaning
Warm water and soap. That's it. Quartz's non-porous surface doesn't absorb anything, so most spills wipe right up.No Sealing Required
Engineered quartz never needs sealing. The polymer resin matrix that binds the quartz crystals creates a permanently non-porous surface.The One Rule: No Extreme Heat
Quartz's polymer resins can be damaged by extreme heat (above 300°F). Always use trivets or hot pads under hot pots, pans, and baking sheets. Heat damage appears as a white discoloration that cannot be repaired.Avoiding Discoloration
While quartz is stain-resistant, prolonged exposure to strong chemicals (like permanent markers, nail polish remover, or oven cleaners) can cause discoloration. Wipe up such substances immediately.Sintered Stone Care: The Easiest of All
Daily Cleaning
Sintered stone is the most care-free surface we sell. Clean with literally anything — water, soap, vinegar, window cleaner. Its non-porous, UV-stable surface is impervious to essentially all household chemicals.Heat Resistance
Unlike quartz, sintered stone is heat-proof up to 600°F. You can place hot pans directly on the surface without any risk of damage. This is one of sintered stone's key advantages for serious cooks.Scratch Resistance
Sintered stone approaches ceramic in hardness. Under normal kitchen use, it's essentially scratch-proof. Only diamond or tungsten carbide tools will mark it.Universal Stone Care Tips
1. Blot, don't wipe spills. Wiping can spread the liquid into a larger area. Blot to contain and absorb.
2. Use cutting boards. Even on granite and sintered stone — primarily to protect your knives.
3. Use coasters under glasses. Condensation can leave water rings on marble and some granites.
4. Clean up acidic spills immediately. Lemon, wine, tomato sauce, vinegar — wipe them up fast on marble surfaces.
5. Never sit or stand on stone countertops. Stone is incredibly strong under distributed load but can crack under concentrated point pressure, especially near cutouts and overhangs.
6. Schedule professional cleaning annually. A professional stone cleaner can deep-clean, re-seal, and address any minor damage before it becomes major.
When to Call a Professional
Some maintenance tasks are best left to professionals: deep stain removal from marble, chip repair, re-polishing etched surfaces, re-leveling uneven slabs, and repairing failed seams. Our team can recommend trusted restoration specialists in Colorado, Arizona, and Texas.
The Bottom Line
Stone surfaces are an investment that can last a lifetime — or several lifetimes — with proper care. The maintenance requirements are simpler than most people expect, and the reward is a surface that grows more beautiful over the years. When in doubt, reach out to our technical team. We're always happy to advise on care for any surface we've supplied.
