Granite Care FAQ
Find answers to frequently asked questions about granite care, including cleaning, sealing, and maintenance.
Yes. While granite is less porous than marble or limestone, most slabs will still absorb liquids without a penetrating sealer. A well-applied, food-safe sealer blocks stains while allowing the stone to “breathe.”
Do the simple water-drop test. Place a teaspoon of water on the surface for 30 minutes. and If the water still beads, the sealer is working. If the stone darkens, it’s time to reseal. Heavily used kitchen counters typically need resealing every 1–3 years.
Wipe with warm water and soft cloth, then dry. For greasy messes, use a pH-neutral stone cleaner such as Granite Gold Daily Cleaner or a drop of mild dish soap in water (rinse well to avoid soap film).
Granite tolerates heat better than engineered quartz; however, extreme temperature swings can stress seams or sealers. Use trivets for cookware straight from an oven or grill to be safe.
Normal cutting won’t scratch the stone (but it will dull your knives). A dropped cast-iron skillet can chip an edge; chips smaller than a pencil tip are usually repairable with epoxy.
Granite resists household acids, so it won’t etch (lose shine) the way marble does. It can stain if oil, wine, or coffee is left to soak through failed sealer. Prompt wipe-ups and periodic resealing prevent almost all stains.
Polished, honed, and leathered finishes each offer a different look and level of maintenance: polished stone has a glossy, color-enhancing surface that resists stains but shows fingerprints and crumbs; honed stone has a smooth, matte finish that disguises light etching and water marks but may need more frequent sealing; and leathered stone has a softly textured, low-sheen surface that hides smudges but can trap crumbs.
Yes, slightly. Polished surfaces are the easiest to wipe down and typically require the least sealing, while honed and leathered finishes may absorb liquids faster and should be checked with the water-drop test every 6–12 months. For leathered granite, use a soft-bristle brush to clean the textured surface.
Generally, yes. A stone fabricator can re-hone (matte) or re-polish (gloss) an installed countertop, and certain leathering effects can be added with diamond tooling. The process is messy and pricey, so decide on your desired finish before installation if possible.
The Natural Stone Institute publishes industry guidelines on sealing, cleaning, and fabrication practices. Many fabricators follow its recommendations for warranty compliance.