To protect your natural stone countertop investment and maintain its beauty and longevity, follow the tips below:

Damage prevention – the #1 treatment recommended by experts for longevity of natural beauty with minimal upkeep and expense. Although natural stone countertops are considered hard and durable, surfaces can scratch. And allowing certain foods and acidic substances to remain on the surface can harm the sealant; allowing staining and damage to the surface.

Regular cleaning – keep countertop clean at all times; blot up food and liquid spills immediately. Acidic substances, including tomato juice/sauce, sodas, lemon juice, etc., can etch or stain the surface; cooking oil can also stain.

Avoid harsh scrubbing - use a sponge or soft cloth when cleaning, preferably with a stone cleaner specially formulated for that particular type stone. Hot water alone is great; hot water mixed with a little mild liquid dish soap is fine for occasional quick clean-ups. Too much soap use, however, will create a build-up and dull countertop shine.

Use coasters, placemats, or potholders – under glasses, bottles, and cans. Remember, preventative care against scratches, etching, and stains are the best way to keep natural stone counter tops looking their best.

Avoid scraping objects across the surface – although hot pots can be taken off the stove and put directly on a granite, soapstone, slate, or quartz countertop without causing surface damage, grit or hard particles trapped between the pot and countertop can scratch the surface.

Never cut foods on the countertop – always use a cutting board. This will not only protect the sealant and countertop surface, but the knives as well. Cutting on stone damages knife blades.

Avoid common cleaning products – such as bleach, glass cleaners, soaps, tub and tile cleaners, and degreasers; vinegar, ammonia, or citrus cleaners. These products can contain chemicals and acids that can etch or damage the sealant or countertop surface. A product with a relatively neutral pH is safer; especially those that are stone-specific formulated.

Avoid placing toiletry products directly on the bare countertop surface – including hair products, colognes, nail products, lotions and creams. These can damage or stain the surface, etch the polish, and leave a ring.

Weekly applications of a specially formulated stone cleaner – to help keep the natural beauty and protective sealant in tact.
Use stone specific polishers and color-enhancers – four to five times a year to keep the stone's natural beauty and luster alive.

Annual resealing with a quality sealant – a must for granite and marble especially. Reseal twice annually if stone is considered extra porous, or if the countertop gets lots of use and shows signs of wear. Unless, of course, stone type should not be sealed.

The important thing is to use the right type sealer on the right stone. Black granite, for instance, contains very little quartz and has a different composition than true granite; it therefore requires special treatment.