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Stone countertops are an excellent choice for durability and can add an expensive touch to our multi-purpose rooms. Whether you choose concrete, granite, marble, quartz, or soapstone, it is important to learn how to care for each type of stone properly to prevent damage.
Here are some general care tips that apply to all types of stones:
- Always protect counters from hot pots, pans, and dishes of food. Excessive heat can cause a thermal shock, which may crack stone countertops. Use trivets that allow airflow under the hot item, particularly slow cookers that expose counter surfaces to heat for several hours.
- Never stand or sit on stone countertops. Small fissures in the stone may cause cracks if subjected to excessive weight.
- Pay attention to spills and wipe them up immediately. Most stone is sensitive to acidic foods like wine, vinegar, and salad dressings. Foods that contain excessive artificial and natural dyes should be handled carefully. Even stone counters that are sealed can be etched by strong acids or harsh chemicals like chlorine bleach or ammonia.
- Avoid chopping or slicing directly on the stone counter to prevent scratches. Always use a cutting board.
- If your countertops have been finished with a sealant, it won’t last forever. How often you need to reseal depends upon the type and quality of the stone and the color of the stone. Always refer to our instructions.
Here are some of the best ways to clean different types of stone countertops.
Granite:
Daily cleaning: To keep granite countertops shiny, daily cleaning with a mixture of dishwashing detergent and water is recommended. Simply mix a teaspoon of dishwashing liquid and four cups of water in a spray bottle. After food preparation, give the countertops a quick spritz and wipe with a soft, microfiber cloth. Allow it to air dry.
- Do not use harsh cleaners like foaming bathroom cleaners, vinegar, or lemon juice that can dull the finish of granite.
Marble:
Daily cleaning: The key to keeping marble looking great is prevention. Wipe up food and drink spills as soon as possible. Wipe down marble countertops daily with mild dish detergent and warm water using a soft cloth–skip the scrubbing sponges as well. Never use vinegar, glass cleaners with ammonia, or any type of harsh cleaner.
- Marble countertops should be resealed every three to six months to help prevent staining. Sealing will help with stains but acidic foods will etch marble very quickly.
Quartz:
Daily cleaning: Quartz is one of the easiest stone countertops to care for since it is not affected by acidic foods and does not scratch easily. For daily cleaning, you can use a glass cleaner or any non-abrasive household cleaner, but stay away from abrasive, scouring pads.
- Since very little stains quartz, use a plastic putty knife to remove dried paint or nail polish. One exception of a stain that is difficult to remove is permanent ink, so protect the surface when using Sharpies.
- Color can fade if exposed for long periods of time to harsh, direct sunlight. Avoid placing extremely hot items on the surface which can mar the resin.
Soapstone:
Daily cleaning: Freshly quarried soapstone is light gray in color. The stone becomes darker as it is exposed to water and oils. To enrich the color, soapstone countertops are often rubbed with mineral oil.
- Daily cleaning can be done with any household cleaner and water. It is best to avoid scouring powders and pads.
- Stain removal: Since soapstone is nonporous, food and acids do not stain the surface. If scratching occurs, rubbing the area with mineral oil will help hide scratches and any discoloration from hard water spotting.
