Stone care guide

A quick reference for cleaning, sealing, and protecting common natural and engineered stones.

Sealing at a glance

Stone	Needs sealing?	How often
Marble	Yes	Every 6–12 months
Granite	Yes	Every 1–3 years
Quartzite	Yes	Every 1–2 years
Limestone	Yes	Every 6–12 months
Travertine	Yes	Every 1–2 years
Slate	Yes	Every 1–3 years
Soapstone	No	—
Sandstone	Yes	Every 1–2 years
Onyx	Yes	Every 6–12 months
Engineered Quartz	No	—

Not sure which stone you have? Scan a photo for free to identify it first.

Marble

Reseal every 6–12 months

Visual: soft veining, cool tones, polished sheen.

Daily

Wipe with a soft cloth and warm water, or pH-neutral stone cleaner.

Weekly

Clean with a dedicated marble-safe cleaner; dry with a microfiber cloth to avoid water marks.

Deep clean

Apply a stone-safe poultice for stains; re-polish dull areas with marble polishing powder.

Common risks

Etches from acidic foods (lemon, vinegar, wine)
Stains from oils and dyes
Scratches from abrasive scrubbing

Avoid

VinegarLemon juiceBleachAmmoniaAbrasive padsGeneric bathroom cleaners

Pro tip: Call a stone restoration pro for deep etches, large stains, or to refinish a polished surface.

Granite

Reseal every 1–3 years

Visual: speckled crystalline pattern, high gloss, varied mineral colors.

Daily

Warm water with a few drops of mild dish soap or a pH-neutral stone cleaner.

Weekly

Use a granite-safe cleaner and buff dry with a microfiber cloth.

Deep clean

Use a poultice for set-in oil stains; reseal afterward.

Common risks

Oil stains in unsealed areas
Chipping at edges from impact
Discoloration from harsh chemicals

Avoid

VinegarBleachAmmoniaAbrasive scouring powders

Pro tip: Contact a pro for chips, deep cracks, or full re-polishing.

Quartzite

Reseal every 1–2 years

Visual: glassy crystalline veining, cool to the touch, very hard surface.

Daily

pH-neutral stone cleaner or warm water with mild soap.

Weekly

Stone-specific cleaner and dry buff.

Deep clean

Poultice for stains; verify true quartzite vs marble before using polishing powders.

Common risks

Etching is rare but possible if mislabeled marble
Stains in unsealed slabs

Avoid

Acidic cleanersBleachAbrasive pads

Pro tip: Pro help recommended for chips, cracks, or doubt about whether the stone is true quartzite.

Limestone

Reseal every 6–12 months

Visual: uniform matte tone, fossil inclusions, soft warm color.

Daily

Dust mop or soft cloth with water only.

Weekly

pH-neutral stone cleaner; never acidic.

Deep clean

Professional honing to remove etches and scratches.

Common risks

Very prone to etching and staining
Soft — scratches easily

Avoid

All acidsVinegarCitrusBleachStiff brushes

Pro tip: Etches, deep scratches, and large stains usually need professional restoration.

Travertine

Reseal every 1–2 years

Visual: porous surface with natural pits, warm beige/tan tones, banded texture.

Daily

Dust mop or soft cloth, pH-neutral cleaner if needed.

Weekly

Stone-safe cleaner; rinse and dry.

Deep clean

Refill open pits with color-matched grout/filler if needed.

Common risks

Pits can collect grime
Etches from acids
Stains in open pores

Avoid

VinegarLemonBleachAcidic tile cleaners

Pro tip: Pro for re-honing, filling large pits, or restoring a polished finish.

Slate

Reseal every 1–3 years

Visual: layered cleft texture, dark gray/charcoal/green tones, matte finish.

Daily

Sweep or dust mop; mild stone cleaner with water.

Weekly

pH-neutral cleaner; dry buff.

Deep clean

Apply a slate enhancer/sealer to restore color.

Common risks

Surface flaking on softer slates
Efflorescence outdoors
Color fade in sunlight

Avoid

Acidic cleanersOil-based soapsWax buildup

Pro tip: Call a pro for cracked tiles or significant flaking.

Soapstone

No sealing required

Visual: smooth soft feel, muted gray-green tones, subtle veining.

Daily

Soap and water; nothing fancy needed.

Weekly

Wipe down with mineral oil to even out the patina (optional).

Deep clean

Sand light scratches with fine sandpaper, then re-oil.

Common risks

Scratches and dents easily
Develops natural patina over time

Avoid

Highly abrasive scrubbing if you want to keep an even tone

Pro tip: Pro for cracks or chips; minor scratches are DIY-friendly.

Sandstone

Reseal every 1–2 years

Visual: grainy texture, warm earth tones, visible sand particles.

Daily

Soft brush or dust mop.

Weekly

pH-neutral stone cleaner; rinse thoroughly.

Deep clean

Soft-bristle brush with stone-safe cleaner; reseal after deep cleans.

Common risks

Very porous — stains easily
Can crumble or spall outdoors
Susceptible to moss/algae outside

Avoid

Pressure washing at high PSIAcidsWire brushes

Pro tip: Pro for crumbling edges, deep cracks, or large outdoor restorations.

Onyx

Reseal every 6–12 months

Visual: translucent banding, dramatic veining, high gloss.

Daily

Soft cloth with water only.

Weekly

Stone-safe pH-neutral cleaner; dry immediately.

Deep clean

Professional polishing recommended.

Common risks

Very soft and brittle
Etches and scratches easily
Expensive to repair

Avoid

Any acidic cleanerAbrasivesHeavy impacts

Pro tip: Almost all onyx repairs should be done by a stone restoration pro.

Engineered Quartz

No sealing required

Visual: uniform pattern, no natural veining variation, non-porous.

Daily

Mild soap and warm water; soft cloth.

Weekly

Quartz-safe surface cleaner.

Deep clean

Use a non-abrasive cleaner like Bar Keepers Friend (sparingly) for stubborn marks.

Common risks

Heat damage from hot pots
Discoloration from UV outdoors
Damage from harsh solvents

Avoid

High heatBleachSolvents (paint thinner, acetone)Abrasive scrub pads

Pro tip: Pro for chips, cracks, or burn marks — these usually require slab repair.