Advice

Granite

• Wipe spills immediately - blot spills instead of rubbing
• Use coasters, trivets and place mats
• Dirt and air-borne particles can be abrasive, dry dust countertops on a regular basis
• Clean countertops daily or as required using a soft, clean cloth and a daily use cleaner that has been specifically formulated for use on granite; dry and polish with a soft, clean cloth; avoid using window cleaners and non-granite specific products; avoid abrasive cleaning products and scrubbing-type tools preferably by blotting and not rubbing
• Avoid placing hot items directly on your countertop
• Use a cutting board

Marble

• Wipe spills immediately, particularly cosmetics, toothpaste and compounds that are acidic, blot spills instead of rubbing
• Wipe up excess water to minimize the potential of hard water marks
• Use coasters, trivets and place mats
• Dirt and air-borne particles can be abrasive, dry dust countertops on a regular basis preferably by blotting and not rubbing
• Clean countertops daily or as required using a soft, clean cloth and a daily use cleaner that has been specifically formulated for use on marble; dry and polish with a soft, clean cloth; avoid using window cleaners and non-granite specific products; avoid abrasive cleaning products and scrubbing-type tools
• Avoid placing hot items directly on your countertop
• Use a cutting board

To seal or not to seal?

The 'water test' is a useful method to determine whether your stone needs to be sealed.

• Apply a small amount of clean water to your countertop and leave for 30 minutes. After wiping the area dry to which the water was applied, if the stone has darkened, this indicates that the counter needs to be sealed.
• In addition to the 'water' test, the 'lemon juice' and 'oil' tests are useful in determining the porosity of a particular stone. This is particularly useful when determining the suitability of a stone before installation, however it can also be used to determine the degree to which an existing stone needs to be sealed. Apply a few drops of lemon juice and cooking oil to your stone, ideally in an inconspicuous location. If it is apparent that the stone is darkening immediately or shortly following application, the product is porous and requires sealing. Should the stone become dull from the lemon juice, the stone has some calcium content and requires sealing. In the absence of staining from any of the tests, you may have a particularly dense, non-porous stone that does not require sealing. A stone of this nature may in fact not be able to absorb a sealer and can leave a residue that can dullen the look of the stone.
• Natural stones that require sealing and that are installed in high use areas may require more frequent sealing.
• Although granite is more dense than marble and is generally resistant to moisture 'migration', the porosity of granite can vary significantly. Penetrating sealers can serve to improve the moisture 'migration' resistance of granite. Properly sealed granite makes granite more resistant to dirt and spills.
• Highly polished marbles have a glossy finish and generally do not require sealing. Marble that is not highly polished, sometimes called 'green', can be sealed.
• In addition to sealing the stone, certain types of specialized sealers can be applied to 'enhance' or darken the look of the stone.