How to care for granite countertops?

Granite countertops are one of the toughest and most beautiful surfaces you can put in a kitchen or bathroom. They resist heat, scratches, and everyday wear far better than many other materials—and with the right care, they can look almost brand new for decades.

So where does shale come in?
Short answer: it doesn’t. Shale is a soft, layered sedimentary rock that would crumble in a busy kitchen. In real homes, the star of the show is granite stone, not shale. But understanding granite’s geology does help you care for it properly.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to care for granite countertops step-by-step, including:

Daily cleaning for clean granite countertops
How often to seal granite
What to do about stains, chips, and cracks
Design and cost tips so your granite stays beautiful and practical
How granite compares to other surfaces in a natural stone countertop comparison

We’ll also point you to deeper how-to resources like:

Table of Contents

Understanding granite stone: geology, composition & characteristics

Granite geology and composition

Granite is a natural igneous rock formed when molten magma cools slowly deep under the Earth’s crust. That slow cooling allows large crystals to form and interlock tightly. Typical granite geology and composition includes:

Quartz – extremely hard and scratch-resistant
Feldspar – contributes most of the background color (white, cream, grey, pink)
Mica and accessory minerals – add dark flecks, shimmer, and veining

These minerals create the core characteristics of granite:

High hardness and long-term durability
Resistance to heat and everyday wear
Slight porosity (so sealing is important)
Unique patterns and colors in every slab

This is why well-installed granite stone—whether a light white granite countertop or bold black granite countertops—can outlast most other countertop materials.

Natural vs. engineered granite alternatives

Strictly speaking, granite itself is always natural. But in showrooms you’ll often compare:

Natural granite countertops – quarried slabs cut, polished and sealed
Engineered surfaces (like quartz) – crushed stone plus resins

In a natural vs. engineered granite context:

Natural granite wins for uniqueness, heat resistance, and “real stone” appeal
Engineered quartz wins for zero-sealing and ultra-consistent look

Your care routine will be slightly different for each, but this article focuses on natural granite care.

Daily care: how to keep clean granite countertops

Caring for granite starts with simple daily habits. Do these right, and you’ll rarely face big problems.

Use the right cleaners on granite

To maintain clean granite countertops without damaging the finish or sealer:

Do use:

A few drops of mild dish soap in warm water
pH-neutral, stone-safe cleaners made for granite
Soft microfiber cloths or non-scratch sponges

Avoid:

Vinegar, lemon, or citrus-based cleaners
Bleach, ammonia, or harsh “all-purpose” sprays
Abrasive powders, steel wool, or scouring pads

Harsh chemicals and abrasives can dull the shine, strip the sealer, and make future removing stains from granite harder.

Wipe spills quickly

Granite is forgiving, but not invincible. To prevent stains:

Blot, don’t scrub, spills like wine, coffee, oil, and tomato sauce
Rinse with clean water and mild soap, then dry with a soft cloth
Don’t let dark liquids sit on the surface overnight

Even sealed granite can eventually stain if spills are left long enough, especially on lighter stones.

Protect granite from heat and scratches

Granite handles heat better than many surfaces, but as part of good care:

Use trivets or hot pads under very hot pots and pans
Use cutting boards instead of cutting directly on granite
Avoid dragging cast iron, rough ceramics, or appliances across the surface

This protects both the sealer and the polished finish, reducing the need for future polishing granite surfaces.

Sealing granite: the foundation of granite care

Why sealing granite is essential

Because granite is slightly porous, unsealed or poorly sealed areas can absorb:

Oils and grease (which darken the stone)
Wine, coffee, and colorful liquids
Water, which can cause dark spots or rings

A good penetrating sealer:

Dramatically reduces absorption
Gives you time to wipe spills before they soak in
Keeps your white granite countertop and lighter stones from discoloring

How often should you seal granite?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but many kitchens benefit from sealing:

Every 1–3 years, depending on stone density and usage
More often for very light, porous stones and heavy-use kitchens

The easiest way to tell is with a water test:

Put a small puddle of water on the countertop.
Let it sit for 10–15 minutes.
Wipe it away and check the stone.

If the granite darkened under the water, it’s absorbing moisture and it’s time for sealing granite again.

Basic steps to seal granite countertops

Clean the granite thoroughly and let it dry completely.
Apply a penetrating granite sealer evenly with a soft cloth or applicator pad.
Let it dwell for the time specified in the product instructions.
Wipe off any excess sealer and buff with a clean microfiber cloth.

Done regularly, this simple process is the most important step in caring for granite.

Dealing with damage: stains, chips, and cracks in granite

Even with great care, accidents happen. Knowing how to respond is part of proper granite countertop care.

Removing stains from granite

If you do get a stain:

Identify the type (oil, water, organic, rust, etc.)
Use a stone-safe stain remover or poultice designed for granite
Avoid aggressive household chemicals that could etch or discolor the surface

Most stains are fixable, especially when the granite has been sealed and the stain is relatively fresh.

Repairing chips in granite

Chips usually occur:

On outside corners of countertops
Around sinks and dishwashers
On overhangs and bar tops

Small chips can often be handled with:

Color-matched epoxy or resin
Careful filling and sanding, followed by polishing granite surfaces

For a DIY-friendly overview, see:
How to repair chipped granite with superglue

Fixing cracked granite

Cracks require more attention than chips. They can be:

Hairline cracks, usually cosmetic with no height difference
Structural cracks, with movement or uneven sides

In-depth repair guides you can reference:

Serious cracks are best evaluated by a professional, especially if they cross seams or unsupported spans.

Protecting granite countertops to prevent repeat damage

Once repaired, you’ll want to minimize future damage. A great general prevention overview is:
How to protect granite countertops

Design & cost: making granite care easier from day one

Granite countertop cost & smart selection

Your granite countertop cost depends on:

Color and pattern (common colors = more affordable granite countertop options)
Slab thickness and edge style
Layout complexity (islands, curves, multiple cutouts)
Fabrication and installation rates in your area

You can buy granite through:

Local stone yards and fabricators
Kitchen and bath showrooms
Big-box stores with packaged install
Fabricators connected to wholesale granite suppliers

Choosing a stone that fits your budget and lifestyle makes caring for granite more satisfying—you’re protecting an investment you truly value.

Granite backsplash designs and edge profiles

Some design choices make care simpler:

Full-height granite backsplash designs protect walls and seams from water and stains
Slightly rounded edges are less prone to chipping than razor-sharp square edges
Seam placement away from sinks and cooktops reduces stress and crack risk

Thoughtful design up front means less time repairing chips in granite later.

Pairing granite with cabinet colors

Great design is part of long-term care, too—if you love the look, you’ll happily maintain it:

Cool-toned granites pair beautifully with white or grey cabinets
Warm-toned stones complement wood and cream finishes
Dark black granite countertops can anchor light cabinets and give a sleek, modern contrast

The right combination keeps your kitchen feeling fresh and timeless, so you won’t feel pressure to replace your granite early.

Natural stone countertop comparison: granite vs other materials

Understanding how granite compares to other surfaces clarifies why its care routine is so popular.

Granite vs quartz countertops

Granite
- 100% natural stone
- Needs periodic sealing
- Excellent heat resistance
- Can be repaired and polished
Quartz (engineered)
- Crushed stone + resins
- No sealing required
- More sensitive to high heat
- Very consistent patterns

If you want pure natural beauty and high heat resistance, granite is hard to beat.

Granite vs marble: pros and cons

In granite vs marble: pros and cons:

Marble
- Softer and more prone to scratching and etching
- Requires very careful cleaning and quick spill response
Granite
- Harder, more forgiving, and generally easier to care for
- Better suited to busy family kitchens

Granite vs soapstone durability

Soapstone is non-porous and stain-proof, but soft and easier to scratch or dent.
Granite stays glossy longer and resists physical wear better, making it more practical in most households.

Granite better than concrete countertops

Concrete can look cool and industrial, but:

It’s prone to cracking and staining
It requires frequent sealing and meticulous installation

For many people, granite better than concrete countertops in terms of care, reliability, and long-term appearance.

Aardwolf granite: when you want stone that’s worth caring for

If you’re committed to caring for your countertops, it makes sense to start with high-quality stone and installation.

Aardwolf granite countertop collection

The Aardwolf granite countertop collection focuses on:

Carefully chosen Aardwolf premium granite slabs for superior strength and appearance
A curated selection of the best Aardwolf granite colors, from timeless neutrals to bold, modern statements

Aardwolf granite installation services & pricing guide

With Aardwolf granite installation services, you benefit from:

Professional templating and support planning to minimize cracking risk
High-quality seam placement, edges, and cutouts for sinks and cooktops
Expert advice on sealing, cleaning, and ongoing granite care

The Aardwolf granite pricing guide helps you:

Understand how color, thickness, and details affect your granite countertop cost
Compare value across different stones and affordable granite countertop options
Choose a granite that matches both your design vision and maintenance style

Quick checklist: how to care for granite countertops every day

To keep your granite at its best, remember:

✅ Clean daily with mild, stone-safe products
✅ Blot spills quickly—especially oil, wine, coffee, and tomato sauce
✅ Use cutting boards, trivets, and coasters
✅ Test absorption and seal granite every 1–3 years
✅ Avoid vinegar, bleach, and abrasives
✅ Address chips and cracks early using:

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