Adding natural stone to your home is a lifelong investment and quality addition any home. In order to keep your stone looking new and vibrant proper maintenance and care should be followed.

1. A wide variety of natural stones must be sealed and resealed.

Sealing stone protects from any damage or discoloration throughout the stones life. To further protect your natural stone selection from staining extra care and vigilance is necessary.

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2. In the case of any spill wipe up the spill immediately.

Absorb the spill by blotting and not wiping the surface to prevent from spreading and compromising the seal. In the need to clean up any remaining spill use warm soapy water and repeat blotting.

3. Help keep your stone free of stains by using coasters when possible.

Many stone surfaces are prone to acidic liquids including wine, coffee, vinegar, and fruit juices. Quick cleanup of these liquids protects your natural stone from staining and eroding of the sealed surface.

To ensure that you are best protected from stains, rings, and erosion the use of coasters or table mats is good practice. Lessening the amount of contact between the two helps reducing the amount of restoration in the future.

4. Always use a cutting board when cutting.

Damage to the stone surface can be done if not using a cutting board. Scratches and chips can easily appear if a cutting board is not used.

Cutting directly onto the stone may begin to dull your knife more quickly as the stone is often much harder then you knife’s blade.

5. Refrain from placing hot items from a stove or oven directly on your stone.

Many stones are generally heat-resistant but few may be prone to cracking under heat pressure. When dealing with hot dishes, pots and pans it is good practice to separate the direct heat from the stone.

6. Wash stone surfaces with a stone safe cleaner or mild dishwashing liquid.

Using non-stone specific cleaners the stones seal and surface can be damaged and ruined. To avoid such circumstances, use a neutral cleaner or soapy water to clean.

Lessen the chance of scratching your surface by refraining from using rough material such as steel wool. A damp cleaning cloth is preferable.

Sealing stone plays an important part in the longevity and quality of your stone projects. The sealing process protects the shine and surface of stones quickly and easily.

1. Do I need to seal my natural stone (Granite, Marble, etc.)?

Not all natural stones can be sealed. Some are too dense to absorb liquids let alone the sealer. These stones are safe from everyday experience and do not require a seal.

Most granite will require being sealed multiple times to retain the shine and glow of the granite. How often each resealing is done is dependent on the color and porosity.

Testing if your natural stone needs to be resealed is quick and easy. Simply pour small amounts of water around your surface. If the stone seems to be absorbing the water you might want to consider sealing the stone to preserve its beauty.

Not all stone is the same and some are a must when it comes to sealing. Stones such as marble, onyx, sandstone, and travertine are prone to stains and thus require a seal to keep clean and looking new.

2. What does sealing my surface do?

Stones left untreated are more susceptible to staining and losing shine. When stone is sealed it protects you natural stone selection from looking aged and unclean.

When sealer is applied it is absorbed into the stone to protect it from the inside out. Other seals can be applied in which small holes and impurities are closed with a thin layer of seal.

With a seal on the surface of your stone liquid spills are easier to clean. Sealing, however, is not a shield against stains and scratches. The seal can still be open to staining from uncleaned spills left on the surface.

3. How often do I need to reseal?

The darker the color of the stone the less likely you are going to need to seal. Darker granites can last up to two or three years without a reseal.

Lighter colored granite should be resealed yearly to keep the bright colors shining like new.

Stones other than granite & marble should be sealed once or twice a year to avoid exposure to stains and damage.