Stone Countertop Care and Cleaning

The natural stone you’ve purchased is an investment that will give you many years of beautiful service. Simple care and maintenance will help preserve your countertop’s beauty for generations to come.

Use coasters under all glasses, especially those containing alcohol or citrus juices. Many common foods and drinks contain acids that will etch or dull the surface of many stones. Don’t place hot items directly on the stone’s surface. Use trivets or mats under hot dishes as well as under china, ceramics, silver, or other objects that may leave scratches on the surface.

Dust mop interior floors frequently with a clean, untreated dry dust mop. Abrasive materials such as sand, dirt, and grit can cause serious damage to natural stone surfaces. Clean stone surfaces with a few drops of neutral cleaner, stone soap, or a mild liquid dishwashing detergent and warm water. Don’t use products that contain lemon, vinegar, or other acids on marble or granite.

Blot the spill with a paper towel immediately. Don’t wipe the area, because that will spread the spill. Flush the area with plain water and mild soap and rinse several times. Dry the area thoroughly with a soft cloth. Repeat as necessary.

Surface stains can be removed by cleaning with an appropriate cleaning product or household chemical. Deep-down or stubborn stains may require use of a poultice or bringing in a professional. Identifying the type of stain on the stone surface is key to its removal.

Oil-based stains darken the stone and should be chemically dissolved so the source of the stain can be flushed or rinsed away. Clean gently with a soft, liquid cleanser with bleach, household detergent, ammonia, mineral spirits, or acetone.

Examples include coffee, tea, fruit, tobacco, paper, food, urine, leaves, bark, bird droppings, etc.

Such stains may leave a pinkish-brown mark and may disappear after the source of the stain has been removed. Outdoors, with the sources removed, normal sun and rain action will generally bleach out the stains. Indoors, clean with 12% hydrogen peroxide (hair bleaching strength) and a few drops of ammonia.

Includes iron, rust, copper, and bronze.

Iron or rust stains are orange to brown in color and are shaped like the staining object (a nail, bolt, screw, can, flower pot, metal furniture, etc.). Copper and bronze stains appear as green or muddy brown and result from moisture on embedded bronze, copper, or brass items. Metal stains must be removed with a poultice. Deep rusty stains are extremely difficult to remove, and the stone may be permanently stained.

Clean with bleach or hydrogen peroxide (light-colored stone only) or lacquer thinner or acetone (dark-colored stone only).

Small amounts can be removed with lacquer thinner or scraped off carefully with a razor blade. Heavy paint coverage should be removed with a commercial heavy liquid paint stripper found at local hardware stores and paint centers. Those strippers normally contain caustic soda or lye. Don’t use acids or flame tools to strip paint from stone. Paint strippers can etch the surface of the stone. Repolishing may be necessary.

Buff with dry 0000 steel wool.

Older stones and smoke or fire-stained fireplaces may require a thorough cleaning to restore their original appearance. Commercial smoke removers may save time and effort.