Granite is famous for being tough, beautiful, and long-lasting. But even the best granite stone countertops can start to look dull, scratched, stained, or tired over time. The good news? In many cases you don’t need to replace them—you can restore granite countertops and bring back that deep, mirror-like shine.
This guide walks you through:
- How granite is built and why it loses its luster
- How to diagnose damage before you start
- Step-by-step restoration: cleaning, stain removal, chip repair, polishing, and sealing
- When to DIY and when to call a professional
- How Aardwolf granite products can help you get a long-lasting, like-new finish
Understanding Granite Stone: Why Countertops Lose Their Shine
Before you learn how to restore granite countertops, it helps to understand the characteristics of granite and how that affects wear and tear.
Granite geology and composition
Granite is an igneous granite stone that forms deep underground as molten rock slowly cools. This slow cooling lets crystals grow, creating that classic speckled look.
Granite geology and composition typically includes:
- Quartz – adds hardness and scratch resistance
- Feldspar – creates many of the white, gray, and pink tones
- Mica and other minerals – add darker flecks and shimmer
This structure makes granite:
- Very hard and durable
- Naturally heat resistant
- Slightly porous, with microscopic pores that can collect residue if not sealed
- Capable of a high polish when properly finished and maintained
Over time, daily use, harsh cleaners, and neglect can:
- Wear down the sealer
- Leave fine scratches and etching
- Create cloudy films from soap, hard water, or old polish
- Allow stains to settle in
That’s when you start thinking, “It’s time to restore this granite.”
Natural vs. Engineered Granite: What Can Be Restored?
In a modern kitchen or bath, you’ll find two main types of polished stone surfaces:
- Natural granite countertops – cut from solid slabs of stone
- Engineered “granite” or quartz – man-made surfaces made from stone particles and resins
In a natural vs. engineered granite comparison:
- Natural granite can be honed, polished, deep-cleaned, stained, and re-sealed over and over.
- Engineered quartz can be cleaned and sometimes lightly polished, but you can’t always fix deep damage in the same way.
This article focuses on restoring natural granite stone countertops, though many cleaning tips also apply to engineered surfaces.
Step 1: Inspect Your Granite Countertops Before You Restore
Restoration starts with a good look at what’s really wrong. Ask yourself:
- Are the tops just dull and streaky?
- Do you see dark stains or colored spots?
- Are there chips along the edges or corners?
- Can you feel roughness where it used to be smooth?
Common problems you might see
- General dullness and haze
- Usually from harsh cleaners, leftover waxes, or worn sealer.
- Stains and discoloration
- Oil, coffee, wine, ink, soap scum, or hard water can all cause marks.
- We’ll talk about removing stains from granite in detail below.
- Chips and small cracks
- Often along edges, around sinks, or at overhangs.
- Scratches and etching
- Fine scratches from abrasive cleaners or dragged objects.
Knowing the type of damage helps you choose the right restoration strategy.
Step 2: Deep Clean – The Foundation of Restoring Granite
You cannot successfully restore granite over dirt, grease, or old product buildup. Start with clean granite countertops.
How to deep clean granite countertops safely
- Clear the surfaces
- Remove small appliances, decor, and everything sitting on the stone.
- Dust and wipe
- Use a dry microfiber cloth to pick up crumbs and dust.
- Wash with a pH-neutral cleaner
- Mix warm water with a small amount of mild dish soap, or use a dedicated granite cleaner.
- Avoid vinegar, lemon, bleach, or abrasive powders—these can damage the finish over time.
- Rinse thoroughly
- Wipe again with clean water to remove any soap or cleaner residue.
- Dry completely
- Use a clean microfiber towel; this helps you see any remaining haze, stains, or etching clearly.
Once dry, you’ll see the true condition of the stone and where the granite countertops need more targeted restoration.
Step 3: Removing Stains from Granite (Targeted Fixes)
After deep cleaning, any dark spots or discoloration you still see are likely stains that made their way into the stone or sealer.
Different stains need different approaches
Here are some common issues and detailed guides you can refer to:
- Coffee and tannin stains:
Learn more with this guide on how to remove coffee stains from granite. - Superglue or adhesive mishaps:
If glue has cured on your countertop, see how to remove superglue from granite. - Marker and ink stains:
For permanent marker accidents, here’s a guide on how to get Sharpie off granite. - Soap film and cloudy residue:
Bathroom and around-sink areas often need special attention—see how to remove soap scum from granite.
In many cases, you’ll use a poultice to pull stains out of the stone. That’s usually a paste (like baking soda plus water or a solvent) applied, covered, and left to draw out the stain before you wipe and rinse.
Taking time to properly remove stains will dramatically improve the final result when you restore granite countertops.
Step 4: Repairing Chips in Granite
Stains and dullness make granite look tired, but chips make it look damaged. Repairing chips in granite is an important part of full restoration.
DIY chip repair (for small chips and pits)
For tiny chips:
- Clean and dry the chipped area thoroughly.
- Use a clear or color-matched epoxy or resin kit designed for stone.
- Carefully fill the chip, avoiding overflow.
- Let it cure fully according to product directions.
- Gently shave or sand any high spots (if the kit instructions allow), then buff.
When to call a professional
Call a pro if:
- The chip is large or deep
- The damage runs into a seam or corner
- There are multiple chips or cracks on load-bearing areas
Professionals can blend repairs with the existing stone so they’re nearly invisible.
Step 5: Polishing Granite Surfaces to Restore the Shine
Once stains and chips are handled, the next step in how to restore granite countertops is bringing back the shine.
Light polishing at home
For slightly dull surfaces:
- Use a granite-specific polishing product (never generic waxes or floor polish).
- Follow the instructions carefully—usually apply, let haze, then buff with a microfiber cloth.
- This refreshes the surface and enhances color, especially on a black granite countertop or other dark stones.
Professional honing and polishing
If your granite is heavily scratched, etched, or very dull, polishing granite surfaces may require:
- Professional honing (using diamond polishing pads)
- Multi-step polishing to restore a factory-like gloss
This is more common in older kitchens or in commercial environments, and it can dramatically transform a tired white granite countertop, making it look new again.
Step 6: Sealing Granite to Protect Your Restoration
Once your countertops are cleaned, repaired, and polished, you must lock in your work by sealing granite.
How to know if your granite needs sealing
- Place a few drops of water on the surface.
- If the water darkens the stone within a few minutes, it’s time to reseal.
How to seal granite properly
- Clean and dry the countertops thoroughly.
- Apply a penetrating granite sealer evenly with a cloth or applicator pad.
- Let the sealer soak in for the recommended time.
- Wipe away any excess and buff the surface dry.
- Avoid heavy use or getting the counters wet for the curing period specified.
Sealing reduces the stone’s effective porosity, makes clean granite countertops easier to maintain, and helps prevent future stains—an essential part of any restoration project.
Granite in Context: How It Compares to Other Countertop Materials
While you’re restoring, you might also be wondering how granite compares to other options in a natural stone countertop comparison.
Granite vs quartz countertops
- Granite: natural stone, unique patterns, slightly porous, requires sealing, excellent heat resistance.
- Quartz: man-made, non-porous, no sealing needed, but less tolerant of high heat.
Granite vs marble: pros and cons
- Granite: harder and more resistant to staining and etching.
- Marble: softer, more porous, and prone to etching from acids (like citrus or vinegar) but beloved for its classic veining.
Granite vs soapstone durability
- Granite: more scratch-resistant and keeps a polished finish longer.
- Soapstone: very dense and stain-resistant but softer and more prone to scratches and dents.
Granite better than concrete countertops?
- Concrete: extremely porous, needs aggressive sealing, can crack and stain if not maintained meticulously.
- Granite: naturally dense, easier to maintain once sealed, and often more practical in busy kitchens.
If you already own granite, a good restoration is usually far more cost-effective than switching materials—especially considering granite countertop cost vs installation of a brand-new surface.
Cost, Sourcing, and Design: Making the Most of Restored Granite
Granite countertop cost and where to buy
If you’re adding an island, replacing a damaged section, or planning a full remodel around your restored stone, you’ll start thinking about:
- Granite countertop cost per square meter/foot
- Where to buy granite countertops locally or online
- Whether to go for affordable granite countertop options or premium, rare slabs
You can explore:
- Local showrooms and fabricators
- Wholesale granite suppliers for raw slabs
- Big-box retailers for value-oriented, popular colors
Granite backsplash designs and cabinet pairing
Freshly restored tops look even better with smart design decisions:
- Full-height granite backsplash designs reduce grout lines and give a luxurious, continuous look.
- Thoughtful pairing granite with cabinet colors (bold contrast or soft tonal matches) highlights the restored shine and pattern.
Aardwolf Granite: Quality, Installation & Long-Term Value
If you’re restoring part of a kitchen or planning to blend old and new stone, Aardwolf can help create a coordinated, long-lasting result.
Aardwolf granite countertop collection
The Aardwolf granite countertop collection offers:
- Carefully selected stones with strong structure and attractive movement
- A range of light, medium, and dark tones to complement restored surfaces
- Options that make it easy to match or contrast existing tops
Aardwolf premium granite slabs & installation services
With Aardwolf premium granite slabs, you can expect:
- Consistent thickness and quality
- Beautiful finishes that look great alongside your newly restored countertops
Pair that with Aardwolf granite installation services for:
- Proper substrate and cabinet support
- Accurate seam placement and edge profiling
- Initial sealing that sets your new or replacement pieces up for easy maintenance
Aardwolf granite pricing guide & best colors
The Aardwolf granite pricing guide helps you compare:
- Budget-friendly stones and affordable granite countertop options
- Mid-tier colors with interesting veining
- Premium statement slabs that become the centerpiece of your kitchen
When choosing the best Aardwolf granite colors, consider:
- Whether you want your restored surfaces to blend or stand out
- Room lighting and wall/cabinet colors
- Long-term maintenance, especially in high-use areas
Final Thoughts: Can You Really Restore Granite Countertops?
Yes—most of the time, you absolutely can.
How to restore granite countertops comes down to:
- Deep cleaning and removing residue
- Carefully removing stains from granite
- Repairing chips in granite where needed
- Polishing granite surfaces for shine
- Sealing granite to protect your work