Stone Care & Maintenance
Keep your stone looking like day one.
Sealing schedules, daily cleaning habits, and what to do when something goes wrong — by material.
Sealing schedules by material
Sealing is the single biggest factor in how well your stone resists stains over time. Here's a realistic schedule by material.
Steps
- 1Clean the surface fully and let it dry for at least an hour.
- 2Apply a penetrating stone sealer in thin, even coats using a soft cloth.
- 3Let the sealer sit for the time listed on the product — usually 5 to 15 minutes.
- 4Wipe away any excess before it dries on the surface.
- 5Test with a few drops of water — if it beads up, you're sealed. If it soaks in, apply a second coat.
Sealing Schedule
| Material | Schedule |
|---|---|
| Granite | Every 1–2 years |
| Marble | Every 6–12 months |
| Quartz | Never required (non-porous) |
| Quartzite | Every 1–2 years |
| Porcelain | Never required (non-porous) |
| Travertine / Onyx | Every 6–12 months |
Daily cleaning do's and don'ts
Dos
- ✓Wipe spills as soon as they happen, especially wine, coffee, and citrus.
- ✓Use a pH-neutral stone cleaner or warm water with mild dish soap.
- ✓Dry the surface with a soft cloth after cleaning to prevent water spots.
- ✓Use cutting boards and trivets even on sealed stone.
Don'ts
- ✕Don't use vinegar, bleach, or ammonia-based cleaners on natural stone.
- ✕Don't let acidic foods sit on marble, travertine, or onyx.
- ✕Don't use abrasive scrub pads — they dull the polish over time.
- ✕Don't place hot pans directly on any surface, even heat-resistant ones.
What stains what
Marble, travertine, and onyx are the most porous and etch-prone stones we install — citrus, wine, and vinegar can dull or discolor them if left sitting. Granite and quartzite are far more forgiving. Quartz and porcelain are non-porous and resist staining almost entirely, which is why they're popular in busy kitchens.
Heat and cut resistance, honestly
Granite, quartzite, and porcelain handle direct heat from a hot pan reasonably well, but we still recommend a trivet — thermal shock can crack any stone. Quartz is heat-resistant but not heatproof; prolonged contact with a hot pan can discolor the resin binder. No stone surface should be used as a cutting board — all of them will dull your knives, and some will scratch.
Marble etching, explained
Etching isn't a stain — it's a chemical reaction where acid dissolves the polish on marble, leaving a dull spot even after cleaning. It happens fast with lemon juice, wine, or vinegar. Light etching can often be buffed out with a marble polishing powder. Deeper etching needs a professional re-polish.
When to call a pro
Call us if you see cracks, chips, lifting seams, or etching that won't buff out, or if it's simply been over a year since your last seal. A quick shop visit almost always saves a slab.