Stone Care Guide
Built to last.
Cared for right.
We work with every kind of stone, natural and engineered — here's how to keep each one looking its best for years to come.
Every-Day Habits
Four habits that protect any stone surface.
Wipe Spills Immediately
Oil, wine, coffee, and citrus can etch or stain porous stone within minutes. Blot — don't wipe — and clean the area right after.
Use a pH-Neutral Cleaner
A stone-specific or mild dish soap, diluted in warm water, is all daily cleaning requires. Skip anything acidic or abrasive.
Dry the Surface After Cleaning
Standing water can leave mineral deposits and, over time, work its way into porous stone. Buff dry with a soft cloth.
Protect the Surface
Coasters under glasses, trivets under hot pans, and cutting boards under knives go a long way toward keeping stone looking new.
Do
- Clean up spills — especially wine, citrus, coffee, and oil — as soon as they happen.
- Use coasters, trivets, and cutting boards to protect the surface from heat, moisture, and scratches.
- Clean with a soft cloth or non-abrasive sponge and a pH-neutral, stone-safe cleaner.
- Reseal natural stone on the schedule your fabricator recommends for that material.
- Test the water-droplet seal: if water beads on the surface, the seal is doing its job; if it soaks in, it's time to reseal.
- Ask your fabricator which sealer and cleaning products are right for your specific stone.
Don't
- Don't use vinegar, lemon juice, bleach, or ammonia-based cleaners on natural stone — they etch and dull the surface.
- Don't use abrasive powders, steel wool, or scouring pads, which can scratch the finish.
- Don't let spills — particularly acidic ones — sit on marble, onyx, travertine, or soapstone.
- Don't place hot cookware directly on the surface, even on heat-resistant stone.
- Don't mix bleach and ammonia-based products together — the combination produces a toxic gas.
- Don't use the same cleaning products on natural and engineered stone interchangeably; their needs are different.
Sealing
Not every stone needs it — but the ones that do, need it on schedule.
Porous natural stones — marble, quartzite, onyx, and travertine — rely on a penetrating sealer to resist stains and etching. Soapstone and engineered surfaces like quartz and porcelain are non-porous and never need sealing. Ask your fabricator which category your stone falls into and how often it should be resealed.
The Water Test
Pour a small amount of water on the surface. If it beads up, the seal is still doing its job. If it soaks in and darkens the stone, it's time to reseal.
When to Reseal
Frequency depends on the stone, its finish, and how the surface is used — anywhere from once a year to every few years. Your fabricator's recommendation for your specific installation always takes priority over general rules of thumb.
Stubborn Stains
A deep or set-in stain can often be lifted with a stone-specific poultice. It's a job best done — or at least guided — by a professional, since the wrong approach can dull a polished finish.
Material by Material
Every stone behaves differently. Here's what each one asks of you.
Marble
Natural Stone
Elegant, but soft and porous — the most sensitive stone we work with. Wipe spills immediately, avoid all acidic contact, and reseal regularly to guard against staining and etching.
Quartzite
Natural Stone
Exceptionally hard and heat-resistant, but still a natural, porous stone underneath. Seal it and treat it with the same care as marble, especially on honed finishes.
Onyx
Natural Stone
The most delicate stone we fabricate — softer and more porous than marble. Best suited to lower-traffic surfaces like feature walls and vanities, with careful sealing and gentle cleaning only.
Travertine
Natural Stone
Naturally pitted and porous. Needs regular sealing to resist staining, and the same acid sensitivity as marble — keep wine, citrus, and vinegar off unsealed surfaces.
Soapstone
Natural Stone
Dense and non-porous, so it doesn't require sealing — though many owners apply mineral oil to deepen its natural patina. Extremely heat resistant, and light scratches can be sanded out.
Quartz
Engineered Stone
Non-porous and stain-resistant by design — no sealing, ever. Its one weak point is heat: sudden temperature swings can crack the surface, so trivets are non-negotiable.
Porcelain
Engineered Surface
The lowest-maintenance surface we offer. Non-porous and highly resistant to stains, scratches, and heat — daily care is simply soap, water, and a soft cloth.
Have a question about your stone?
Every installation is different. Reach out and we'll walk you through the care routine specific to your surfaces.