Granite is one of the most durable surfaces you can put in a kitchen, but a few simple habits make the difference between a countertop that looks new for decades and one that dulls early. Here is how we tell our own clients to clean and care for granite countertops, straight from 25 years of fabrication experience.
The Daily Routine (30 Seconds)
Warm water, a drop of dish soap, and a soft cloth or sponge. Wipe, rinse, and dry with a microfiber towel to prevent water spots. That is genuinely all granite needs day to day.
What Never to Use
Acids and abrasives are granite’s enemies. Avoid vinegar, lemon-based cleaners, bleach, ammonia (most glass cleaners), and scouring powders or steel wool. Acidic products slowly eat the sealer and can etch the polish, leaving dull spots that only professional refinishing can fix.
Sealing: The 5-Minute Job That Saves Your Stone
Granite is naturally porous, and the sealer is what keeps wine, oil, and coffee from soaking in. Test yours with a tablespoon of water: if it beads up, you are protected; if it darkens the stone within a few minutes, it is time to reseal. Most kitchens need sealing about once a year: spray on, wait, wipe off. The Natural Stone Institute publishes excellent guidance on sealers if you want to go deeper.
Removing Stains Safely
Caught a stain before it set? Blot (do not wipe) and clean with soapy water. For set-in oil or coffee stains, make a poultice: baking soda mixed with water into a paste, spread over the stain, covered with plastic wrap overnight, then wiped away. Repeat if needed. It draws the stain out of the pores without damaging the stone.
Heat, Scratches, and Chips
Granite tolerates hot pans better than any engineered surface, but trivets are still smart, because thermal shock can stress seams over time. Use cutting boards, not because granite scratches easily (it will dull your knives first), but to protect the sealer. Small chips on edges can usually be repaired invisibly by a professional; call your fabricator before attempting a DIY fix.
Quick Note: Quartz and Marble Are Different
Quartz never needs sealing but is more sensitive to heat. Marble is softer and etches faster, so it demands gentler habits. Know your stone, and it will reward you.
Care Tips From Your Local Fabricator
Questions about a stain or a chip on your countertop? Send us a photo. Whether you are in Burlington, High Point, or anywhere across North Carolina, we will tell you honestly whether it needs a professional or just a paste of baking soda.