How to Clean and maintain your natural stone surfaces?
Natural Stone Maintenance: Cleaning and Care Tips
Natural stone Maintenance for surfaces—such as marble, granite, quartzite, and travertine—bring timeless elegance and durability to kitchens, bathrooms, and other living spaces. But to keep them looking their best, proper cleaning and routine maintenance are essential. This guide covers practical tips to help you care for your natural stone countertops, vanities, and flooring, preserving their beauty for years to come.
1. Use the Right Cleaning Products
Natural stone is sensitive to harsh chemicals. Avoid acidic or abrasive cleaners, especially those containing vinegar, lemon juice, bleach, or ammonia. Instead, opt for a pH-neutral cleaner specifically designed for natural stone. A soft cloth or sponge and warm water are often all you need for daily wiping.
For a deeper clean, use a gentle stone cleaner once or twice a week to remove grime and maintain the surface’s shine without damaging the sealant or stone.
2. Seal Your Stone Regularly
Most natural stones are porous and can absorb liquids, leading to stains. To prevent this, apply a high-quality penetrating sealer as recommended—usually once every 6 to 12 months, depending on the type of stone and how heavily it’s used.
You can perform a simple water test by placing a few drops of water on the surface. If the water absorbs within a few minutes, it’s time to reseal.
3. Natural Stone Maintenance with wipe Spills Immediately
Acidic substances like wine, coffee, citrus juices, and tomato sauce can etch the surface of marble and other calcareous stones. Oils and dark-colored liquids may also stain if left too long. Always wipe up spills promptly using a blotting motion rather than wiping, to avoid spreading the liquid.
4. Use Coasters, Trivets, and Cutting Boards for Natural Stone Maintenance
Protect your stone from daily wear by using coasters under drinks, trivets under hot pots, and cutting boards for food prep. Avoid placing hot cookware directly on the stone to prevent thermal shock or damage to the sealer.
5. Avoid Heavy Impact and Scratches for Natural Stone Maintenance
Although stone is durable, it can chip or scratch under heavy impact. Be cautious with heavy cookware or tools, especially around edges and corners. Avoid dragging metal or ceramic items across the surface to reduce scratching risk.
How to Maintain Quartz, Granite, and Dekton
Quartz Surface Maintenance
Quartz countertops are a popular choice for modern kitchens and bathrooms due to their durability and low-maintenance nature. As an engineered stone, quartz is non-porous, meaning it resists staining from everyday spills like coffee, wine, or oil. Cleaning quartz is simple—just wipe the surface with a soft cloth and a mild soap or pH-balanced cleaner. It’s important to avoid harsh chemicals such as bleach, acidic cleaners, or abrasive scrubbing pads, which can damage the finish over time. While quartz is heat-resistant, it’s still recommended to use trivets or heat pads to prevent thermal shock or discoloration from hot cookware
Quartz surfaces are non-porous and highly resistant to stains, making them one of the easiest materials to maintain. However, they are still sensitive to heat.
Care Tips:
- Clean daily with a soft cloth and mild soap or a non-abrasive surface cleaner.
- Avoid placing hot pots or pans directly on the surface—use trivets.
- Do not use harsh chemicals or bleach-based products.
Quartz does not require sealing, but maintaining a clean, dry surface will preserve its finish.
Granite Maintenance
Granite is a natural stone that is extremely durable, but it does require periodic sealing to prevent staining and moisture absorption.
Care Tips:
- Clean with a pH-neutral stone cleaner or mild dish soap and water.
- Reseal every 6 to 12 months, depending on use and type of granite.
- Wipe spills quickly—especially oils, wine, and acidic liquids.
- Use cutting boards to avoid dulling knives and scratching the surface.
Granite offers a perfect balance of beauty and resilience when maintained properly.
Dekton Maintenance
Dekton is an ultra-compact surface made from a mix of raw materials like porcelain, glass, and quartz. It’s known for being heat-, scratch-, and stain-resistant—ideal for both indoor and outdoor surfaces.
Care Tips:
- Clean with warm water and mild detergent; stubborn stains can be removed with a degreaser or non-abrasive cleaner.
- Unlike natural stone, Dekton does not require sealing.
- It resists UV rays, making it excellent for outdoor kitchens or BBQ areas.
Dekton is one of the lowest-maintenance surfaces available, combining high performance with modern aesthetics.
For more stone care advice or professional services, explore our custom stone fabrication services in Vancouver.
You can also read the Natural Stone Institute’s care guidelines for trusted industry recommendations.