How to care for granite, quartz and limestone
Simple daily cleaning and a few habits keep stone countertops looking new for decades. Here is what to do, and what to avoid, for each material.
4.6 on Google · 18 reviewsGranite
Clean granite with warm water and a mild dish soap or a stone cleaner, then dry with a soft cloth. Avoid vinegar, lemon, bleach and abrasive powders, which can dull the polish or wear down the sealer over time.
Sealing: most granite benefits from a penetrating sealer every year or two. Test it by leaving a few drops of water on the counter for 15 minutes. If the water darkens the stone, it is time to reseal: wipe the sealer on, let it soak in, and buff off the extra.
Quartz
Quartz is nonporous and never needs sealing. Daily cleaning is warm water and mild soap. Keep oven cleaner, paint stripper and high-pH degreasers off it, and use a trivet for hot pans: the resin in quartz can scorch or discolor from direct heat.
Limestone
Limestone is softer and more porous than granite. Seal it, wipe up spills quickly, and clean only with a pH-neutral stone soap. Acids such as wine, citrus and vinegar can etch the surface, leaving dull spots.
Every stone
- Use cutting boards. Stone will dull knives, and some surfaces can scratch.
- Do not stand or sit on countertops, especially near sink cutouts and overhangs.
- Place hot pans on trivets near seams and edges, even on granite.
Questions about a stain or chip on stone we installed? Contact the shop.
Recent work
See all projectsCommon questions
- How do I know if my granite needs sealing?
- Put a few drops of water on the counter and wait about 15 minutes. If the stone darkens where the water sat, it is time to reseal.
- Can I use disinfecting wipes on quartz?
- An occasional wipe is fine, but for daily cleaning warm water and mild soap are better. Rinse off any cleaner so it does not leave a film.
- What removes a stain from granite?
- Most fresh spills wipe off. For an oil stain that has soaked in, a stone poultice can draw it out. Call the shop if you are unsure, before trying anything harsh.
Ready to price your project?
Send a few details and photos or drawings if you have them. We will call you back to talk it through.