Natural stone countertops—whether they be granite, marble or travertine—are not only gorgeous but also tough workhorses that can last for years…as long as you take care of them. Follow these crowdsourced tips to get maximum mileage from your stone surfaces.

Tyler Forte
Tyler Forte is the Founder & CEO of Felix Homes. Felix Homes provides homeowners with the most financially responsible way to sell a home. Previously, Tyler Forte was an investor and analyst at VentureLab Growth Partners.
Taking care
Natural stone countertops are a great addition to any house and will last a long time. But they must be cared for like the valuable addition they are.
To extend the life of your natural stone countertop you must make sure that:
- It is washed often
- You use a cutting board on the countertop while cutting anything
- You use protective sealants
Every countertop has its own specifications to extend its lifetime, but following those and the above general guidelines can extend its lifetime, sometimes to over a hundred years.
No scrubbing, no lemon-based cleaner
Never use lemon or lemon-based cleaner to clean your natural stone countertops. Lemon can damage it as it contains calcite, so never use it to scrub the mold and mildew. In addition, scouring cleansers on your countertop can be too abrasive and can eat away the sealing and leave your surface exposed to scratches and harmful substances. Instead, apply mild soap and water. If there are spills while cooking, don’t wait for them to dry out and harden. Wipe them off immediately.

Matt Rostosky

Mila P. Hyde
Install edge guards
I dreamed of stone countertops in my kitchen, but when I started researching how to take care of them, I realized natural stone counters can crack or chip from water damage and dishwashing. My advice is to install edge guards to protect your counters and prevent cracking, chipping, and water damage while you wash dishes. Anyone could use guards to protect their stone counters and sinks.
This is a crowdsourced article. Contributors are not necessarily affiliated with this website and their statements do not necessarily reflect the opinion of this website, other people, businesses, or other contributors.