Stone Countertop Maintenance & Sealing Made Easy


Modern kitchen with two islands, white marble with gray & beige veining countertops & backsplash, black lower cabinets, and natural wood upper cabinets.
Your stone countertops can look amazing and last a lifetime with the right stone countertop maintenance. Here are the basics.
Renovated kitchen featuring gray natural quartzite backsplash, countertops, and waterfall island, floating shelves, white lower cabinets, and brass & glass pendants.

ROUTINE CARE

Use neutral cleaners on stone countertops for daily cleaning. Dilute concentrated cleaners and apply with a spray bottle then clean with a soft cloth. Do not use any cleaners that contain bleach, acid, or ammonia on stone as they may etch and damage natural stone. 


Concentrated and pH balanced cleaners can be used full strength for spot cleaning as needed. These cleaners will not negatively affect sealers on the stone or other coatings. You can use soft bristly brush or sponge to agitate tough spots.


If your stone is textured like travertine or any stone with a finish that isn’t smooth, you may need to modify your cleaning method a bit to get any uneven areas clean.

Renovated kitchen with white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, white & gray marble backsplash, countertops, and brass cage pendants over island.

HEAVY DUTY CLEANING

Occasionally, it’s good to give your stone countertops a deep clean. Use a heavy-duty stone cleaner and degreaser. This will remove buildup of grease, dirt, waxes, and grime. Be sure to use a cleaner that is designed for stone. 


Follow the manufacturer directions for the cleaning product. Use a cloth of soft-bristle brush to clean the countertop then remove dirty solution and rinse with clean water. Buff dry. Never leave liquids on your stone countertop for too long. All stone is porous and will absorb liquid if it is left to sit. 

Renovated kitchen with plum-colored cabinets, floating shelves, gray marble backsplash and countertops, stainless steel appliances.

SEALING STONE COUNTERTOPS

 Sealing stone countertops is a necessity to keep it looking great. Your counter may have been sealed before it was installed but it should be resealed regularly, about every one to two years depending on the durability of the stone.

Elegant bathroom white with gray veined marble countertop with dual vessel sinks and crystal chandeliers.

HOW TO SEAL COUNTERTOPS

Remove any old sealer that remains on your countertop with a sealant stripper designed for stone countertops. Select the appropriate sealer for your countertop and apply per the manufacturer instructions.

Related Information

Kitchen peninsula with black, gray, and blue grained granite. Wine glasses on top of the counter.

Stone counters How-To

From daily care to maintenance, read details for natural stone countertops.

Kitchen with marble mosaic backsplash, white quartz countertops, marble waterfall island with sink, white and black lower cabinets, and stainless steel gas stove/oven.

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Your nearest stone center

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