STONE CARE GUIDE · CHERRY HILL, NJ
Keep Your Stone Looking Flawless.
Natural stone is a lifetime investment. With the right daily habits and annual maintenance, your countertops will look as beautiful in 20 years as the day they were installed.
KNOW YOUR STONE
Before You Begin, Know Your Stone Type.
Natural stone falls into two categories with very different care requirements. Identify yours before choosing any cleaning product.
Siliceous Stone
Granite · Quartzite · Slate · Sandstone
Composed mainly of silica or quartz-like particles. Very durable and relatively easy to clean with mild acidic cleaning solutions. More forgiving than calcareous stone.
Calcareous Stone
Marble · Travertine · Limestone · Onyx
Composed mostly of calcium carbonate. Extremely sensitive to acidic cleaning products. Requires pH-neutral cleaners only — even lemon juice or vinegar can etch the surface permanently.
Daily Care & Precautions
Use coasters under all glasses, especially drinks with alcohol or citrus juice. Common foods and drinks contain acids that can etch or dull stone surfaces.
- Never place hot items directly on countertops — use trivets or mats under hot dishes
- Cooking oils (olive oil, vegetable oil, salad dressings) can stain granite and marble — store containers in cabinets
- Many hand soaps contain oils and extracts that can stain — use special care near stone
- If you want to display oil bottles on stone, place trivets underneath them
- Stone porosity varies slab to slab — not all stones respond the same way
Basic Care & Cleaning
Sand, dirt, and grit do the most damage to natural stone because of their abrasiveness. Protect floors with mats at all doors. For countertops:
- Never place hot items directly on countertops — use trivets or mats under hot dishes
- Cooking oils (olive oil, vegetable oil, salad dressings) can stain granite and marble — store containers in cabinets
- Many hand soaps contain oils and extracts that can stain — use special care near stone
- If you want to display oil bottles on stone, place trivets underneath them
- Stone porosity varies slab to slab — not all stones respond the same way
Sealing Your Stone
Your stone has natural pores. Sealing prevents liquids from penetrating, avoiding cloudiness and staining. We recommend Tenax Sealer.
- Cover corners and walls you don't want sealed
- Ensure the surface is clear of debris and has been dry for at least two hours
- Pour or spray until the entire surface is wet with a thin layer of sealer
- When it begins to dry (3–5 minutes), re-wet with another thin layer
- After five minutes, wipe excess sealer with a clean dry white terry cloth or paper towel
- If excess dries on the surface, spray more sealer and immediately wipe away
- Test with water — it should bead up and not soak in or leave a dark mark
- Repeat every 1–2 years, or every 6 months for high-use or more porous stone
Polishing
Monthly polishing keeps your stone glossy, protected, and looking newly installed. We recommend Bellinzoni Stone Polish, available at our Cherry Hill showroom.
- Shake the bottle well before use
- Spray surface and spread with a dry paper towel
- Let haze for 2–4 minutes
- Buff off with a clean white terry cloth
- Vanity tops may also benefit from Italian Craftsman Polish to minimize water spots
- Do not use regular furniture polish or generic spray cleaners on natural stone
Stain Removal
When stains occur, precautions must be taken. Always identify the stain type before treating — the wrong approach can set a stain permanently. Call us before attempting difficult stain removal.
- Organic stains (coffee, tea, food, leaves): HG Absorber poultice or hydrogen peroxide + acetone poultice
- Oil-based stains (grease, cooking oil, cosmetics): Baking soda + water poultice, or powdered poultice with mineral spirits
- Metal/rust stains: Stoneway TeRust Poultice powder — available at our Pennsauken facility
- Ink stains: Bleach for light stone; lacquer thinner for dark stone
- Scratches: Buff gently with dry 0000 steel wool
- Etch marks (marble/calcareous): Etch remover powder with damp cloth — call us first
Products We Recommend
Only use products approved for natural stone. Non-recommended products may void your countertop warranty. All products below are available at our Cherry Hill showroom and Pennsauken facility.
- Tenax Sealer: Our #1 recommended sealer for granite, quartzite, and marble countertops.
- Bellinzoni Stone Polish: Professional-grade monthly polish for granite and marble. Creates lasting shine.
- HG Natural Stone Cleaner: Safe for everyday use on all natural stone. pH-neutral, residue-free.
Questions About Your Stone?
Call us or stop by our Cherry Hill showroom. Our team can diagnose any stain, etch, or maintenance concern in person — no appointment needed.