How to Care for Granite Countertops

Granite is one of the easiest stones to live with. Most days, it needs nothing more than warm water, a little soap and a soft cloth. The rest of this guide covers the few things that can hurt it, and what to do about sealing, heat and scratches.

Everything here comes from the Natural Stone Institute, the trade group for the natural stone industry, unless we say otherwise. Tomahawk Tile & Countertops is a member.

Everyday Cleaning

The Natural Stone Institute says to “Clean stone surfaces with a neutral cleaner, stone soap, or a mild liquid dishwashing detergent and warm water.”

Here is the simple routine:

Wet a soft cloth or sponge with warm water and a few drops of mild dish soap.
Wipe the counter.
Rinse with clean water. The Institute says to “Rinse the surface thoroughly after washing with the soap solution and dry with a soft cloth.”
Dry it. Drying keeps water spots away.

Go easy on the soap. The Institute warns that “an excessive concentration of cleaner or soap may leave a film and cause streaks.” If your granite looks cloudy or streaky, too much soap can be the cause. Rinse it well and dry it.

Do you need a special granite cleaner? Usually not. A stone cleaner is fine, and so is mild dish soap. One quartz and stone company, Caesarstone, says on its natural stone page that “Using a dedicated natural stone cleaner is essential.” The Natural Stone Institute lists mild dish soap as an option. Both work. What matters most is avoiding the harsh products below.

What to Keep Off Your Granite

Harsh and scrubby cleaners. The Institute says “Scouring powders or creams often contain abrasives that may scratch certain stones.” Skip powdered cleansers and scrub pads.

Too much ammonia. “Frequent or over-use of an ammonia solution may eventually dull the surface of some stone types,” the Institute says. Some glass cleaners contain ammonia, so check the label before using one as your daily granite spray.

Acidic cleaners. The Institute’s strongest acid warnings are about marble and other calcite stones, but it says acidic cleaners “are still not recommended” on stone in general. Skip vinegar and lemon cleaners.

Never mix bleach and ammonia. The Institute says “Do not mix ammonia and bleach.” The mix makes a dangerous gas. This goes for every surface in your home, not only stone.

Grit. “Sand, dirt and grit are abrasive and can damage natural stone,” the Institute says. Wipe crumbs and grit away before you slide heavy things across the counter.

Heat

Granite handles heat well. The Institute says granite “is typically heat resistant up to temperatures of ±250°C (±480°F).” But it also says “direct application of localized heat sources is discouraged,” and its care guide says “While many stones can withstand heat, the use of trivets or mats is recommended.”

So yes, granite can take more heat than most countertops. A trivet is still the smart habit, especially for cast iron straight from the oven.

Cutting

Use a cutting board. It protects your knives and the polished surface.

Sealing

This is the part people ask about most.

Does granite need sealing? The Natural Stone Institute says “Most granite countertops do not need to be sealed.” It also says “many granite countertops receive additional benefit from being sealed,” and “In many cases it makes sense to seal marble and granite countertops with a quality sealer.”

What we do: we seal every natural stone slab before we install it, with a sealer that soaks into the stone to help it resist stains.

What sealing does and does not do: the Institute says sealing “does not make the stone stain proof, rather it makes the stone more stain resistant.” You still want to wipe up spills quickly.

How often to reseal? There is no single answer, because it depends on the stone and the sealer. The Institute says to “Consult with your supplier or sealing manufacturer specific to the type of sealer and frequency of use recommended.” Caesarstone’s natural stone page suggests resealing granite every 2 to 3 years. If you are not sure, call us and we will tell you what your stone needs.

If you reseal it yourself: use a sealer made for countertops. The Institute says “If a sealer is applied in a food preparation area, be sure that it is non-toxic and safe for use.”

Spills and Stains

Granite resists stains well. The Institute says the space inside granite that can hold a stain “is very slight,” with water absorption of “0.05% to 0.40%” by weight. But oil and some dark liquids can still leave a mark if they sit.

The Institute’s first rule for spills: “Blot the spill with a paper towel immediately. Don’t wipe the area, it will spread the spill.” Then “Flush the area with plain water and mild soap and rinse several times.”

If a stain stays, read our step-by-step guide: What to Do About a Stain on Your Countertop.

Scratches and Chips

For anything deeper than a surface mark, the Institute says “Deeper scratches and nicks in the surface of the stone should be repaired and repolished by a professional.” Do not try to sand or polish granite yourself.

A Simple Care Checklist

Every day: wipe with warm water and mild soap, rinse, dry.
Spills: blot right away, do not wipe. Then rinse with soap and water.
Hot pans: use a trivet.
Knives: use a cutting board.
Cleaners: skip abrasives, acids and daily ammonia sprays. Never mix bleach and ammonia.
Sealing: ask us how often your stone needs it.
Deep chips or scratches: call a professional.

Do You Need to Buy Special Products?

Usually not. A mild dish soap, warm water and a soft cloth handle almost everything. Fernando will tell you what your stone needs when we install it.

Granite asks for very little. If something happens to yours and you are not sure what to do, call before you scrub. A two minute phone call can save a lot of trouble.