Your countertops are a significant investment. With proper care, they'll look stunning for decades. Here's your complete maintenance guide by material type.
Quartz Countertops (Cambria, Caesarstone, etc.)
Daily Care
- Wipe with warm water and mild dish soap
- Use a soft cloth or non-abrasive sponge
- Dry with a clean towel to prevent water spots
What to Avoid
- Heat: Always use trivets—quartz resin can discolor above 300°F
- Harsh chemicals: No bleach, oven cleaner, or abrasive cleaners
- Cutting directly on surface: Use a cutting board—knives can dull the finish
Deep Cleaning
- For dried-on food: Apply a paste of baking soda and water, let sit 10 minutes, wipe away
- For grease: Use a degreasing spray approved for quartz
- For hard water deposits: Wipe with a 50/50 vinegar-water solution (occasional use only)
Sealing
Quartz never needs sealing—it's non-porous. This is one of its biggest advantages.
Granite Countertops
Daily Care
- Wipe with warm water and a pH-neutral stone cleaner
- Blot spills immediately—don't wipe, which can spread
- Use coasters under glasses, especially acidic beverages
Sealing
- Test annually: Place a few drops of water on the surface. If it absorbs within 5 minutes, it's time to reseal
- Apply sealer: Use a quality impregnating sealer every 1-2 years
- Process: Clean surface, apply sealer evenly, let absorb 15-20 minutes, buff dry
What to Avoid
- Acidic cleaners (vinegar, lemon, ammonia)
- Sitting on countertops (can crack at seams)
- Dragging heavy pots across the surface
Stain Removal
- Oil-based stains: Poultice with baking soda and acetone
- Organic stains (coffee, wine): Poultice with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide
- Water rings: Usually disappear when granite dries; reseal if persistent
Marble Countertops
Daily Care
- Clean with stone-specific cleaner only
- Wipe up spills within seconds—marble etches from acids
- Use coasters and trivets religiously
The Etching Reality
- Marble will etch from citrus, wine, tomato sauce, and vinegar
- Light etching can add patina (some homeowners embrace this)
- For a pristine look, marble requires more vigilance
- Honed finishes show etching less than polished
Sealing
- Seal every 6-12 months
- Use a penetrating sealer designed for marble
- Sealing helps with stains but won't prevent etching
When to Call a Professional
- Deep stains that don't respond to poultice
- Significant etching or dull spots
- Chips or cracks
- Annual professional polishing for high-use areas
Dekton & Ultracompact Surfaces
The Low-Maintenance Champion
- Virtually maintenance-free
- UV resistant, scratch resistant, heat resistant
- Clean with any household cleaner
- Never needs sealing
- Ideal for indoor and outdoor use
General Tips for All Countertops
- Use cutting boards: Protect your surface and your knives
- Use trivets: Especially for cast iron and hot pans
- Clean up spills promptly: Especially acidic liquids
- Don't sit or stand on countertops: They're strong but not designed for body weight
- Use gentle cleaners: When in doubt, warm water and mild soap work on everything
Need Professional Help?
If your countertops need restoration or you're considering an upgrade, schedule a consultation. We can assess your current surfaces and recommend solutions.
