Natural stone is one of the most durable surfaces you can install — but it is not maintenance-free. The good news: with the right routine, granite and marble stay flawless for decades. Most "stone problems" we are called about are actually care mistakes, not stone defects.
1. Why Sealing Matters Granite and marble are porous to varying degrees. A penetrating (impregnating) sealer fills the micro-pores so spills sit on top long enough to be wiped away instead of soaking in and staining. - **Granite**: Dense and stain-resistant, but lighter granites still benefit from sealing every 1–2 years. - **Marble**: Softer and more porous — seal more frequently, and always after honing or polishing.
2. The Simple Water Test Drop a tablespoon of water on the surface. If it beads up, your seal is intact. If it darkens the stone within a few minutes, it is time to re-seal. Run this test on countertops every few months.
3. Daily & Weekly Care - Wipe spills immediately — especially acidic liquids (wine, citrus, vinegar, coffee) which etch marble. - Clean with a pH-neutral stone cleaner and a soft cloth. **Never** use vinegar, lemon, bleach, or generic abrasive sprays. - Use coasters, trivets, and chopping boards. Stone is heat- and scratch-resistant, not heat- and scratch-proof.
4. Fixing Common Issues - **Etch marks** (dull spots on marble): polished out with a marble polishing powder. - **Stains**: drawn out with a poultice before they set. - **Lost shine**: professional re-polishing restores the original finish.
A few minutes of the right care keeps natural stone looking like the day it was installed.
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