How to Clean, Seal, & Repair Natural Stone


Inherently unique and strong, natural stone makes a fantastic material for creating products such as sinks, bathtubs, countertops, and more. While products made of natural stone have a striking appeal, they do require a bit of special care and maintenance to keep them looking like new.

36" Finbrook Chiseled 60/40 Offset Double Bowl Granite Farmhouse Sink in Blue Gray for natural stone care

General Stone Cleaning

For general stone care, we recommend you regularly clean your product with a mild dish detergent or a non-toxic, water-based cleaner specifically formulated for cleaning stone such as Simple Green® Stone Polish.

For stone sinks, tubs, or any other product that makes contact with water, wipe dry with a soft cloth after each use. Do not allow mineral deposits such as iron, salt, lime, or soap to build up on the surface. Refrain from using acidic household cleaners (e.g. vinegar, lemon juice), wipes with harsh chemicals, or abrasive materials, as these can damage or discolor the stone.

To remove stains from your stone product, use a standard stone and tile stain remover. For more difficult stains, apply a liquid poultice cleaning product directly to the stain and use as directed.

Ardwick Rectangular Granite Vessel Sink in Blue Gray

Sealing & Protecting Stone

Because stone is porous, it's important to protect it against harmful substances, dirt, and spills. Seal the stone using a heavy-duty stone sealer, such as this StoneTech Heavy Duty Sealer, which will penetrate into the stone and act as a repellant to water or any other substance that could discolor the surface or harbor bacteria.

The following steps demonstrate the general process of sealing your stone product. Be sure to follow the directions provided with your stone sealer very carefully. To retain your stone's natural beauty, reseal once or twice per year or according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Important Notes:

  • Always test in a small inconspicuous area with a 24-hour cure time to determine ease of application and desired results.

  • Allow new grout installations to cure for a minimum of 72 hours prior to application.

  • Ensure that the area is well-ventilated during application, and until the sealer is fully cured. Keep pets and children out of the area until the surface is dry.

33" Silbury Ivy Marble Farmhouse Sink in Egyptian Cream for natural stone care
Step 1 - make sure the surface is clean, dry and free of waxes and coatings

Step 1

Make sure surface is clean, dry, and free of waxes and coatings. Sealer may be applied to damp surfaces one hour after standing water has been removed.

Step 2 - mask off and protect any baseboards or adjacent areas to avoid splashing and overspray

Step 2

Mask off and protect any baseboards or adjacent areas to avoid splashing and overspray onto surfaces not intended to be treated.

Step 3 - ensure the cap to the sealer bottle is closed and shake well

Step 3

Ensure that the cap to the sealer bottle is closed, and shake well before beginning.

Step 4 - liberally apply an even coat of the sealer using a brush, paint pad, roller, or low-pressure chemical-resistant sprayer

Step 4

Liberally apply an even coat using a paint pad, low-pressure chemical-resistant sprayer, roller, or brush.

Step 5 - allow sealer to penetrate the surface for 15-30 minutes. During this time, distribute excess over entire area

Step 5

Allow sealer to penetrate the surface for 15-30 minutes. During this time, distribute excess over entire area for even penetration. DO NOT allow the sealer to fully dry on the surface.

Step 6 - thoroughly wipe dry the entire surface with a clean, dry towel

Step 6

Thoroughly wipe dry the entire surface with a clean, dry towel.

Step 7 - apply a second coat if needed 30-40 minutes after the initial application

Step 7

A second coat may be needed for porous, absorbent surfaces and should be applied 30-40 minutes after initial application as directed in steps 4-6.

Step 8 - if sealer residue appears, rewet the area with sealer and wipe with a white nylon scrubbing pad to loosen the residue

Step 8

Should a sealer residue appear, rewet the impacted section of the surface with sealer. Wipe the surface with a white nylon scrubbing pad to loosen the residue, then wipe dry with a clean towel.

Step 9 - let the sealer cure for 24-72 hours, however, the treated surface may be used within 6-8 hours if needed

Step 9

It will take 24-72 hours for the sealer to fully cure, however, the treated surface may be used within 6-8 hours if needed. Red rosin paper may be used to cover and protect the surface while curing.

Step 1 - make sure the surface is clean, dry and free of waxes and coatings

Step 1

Make sure surface is clean, dry, and free of waxes and coatings. Sealer may be applied to damp surfaces one hour after standing water has been removed.

Step 2 - mask off and protect any baseboards or adjacent areas to avoid splashing and overspray

Step 2

Mask off and protect any baseboards or adjacent areas to avoid splashing and overspray onto surfaces not intended to be treated.

Step 3 - ensure the cap to the sealer bottle is closed and shake well

Step 3

Ensure that the cap to the sealer bottle is closed, and shake well before beginning.

Step 4 - liberally apply an even coat of the sealer using a brush, paint pad, roller, or low-pressure chemical-resistant sprayer

Step 4

Liberally apply an even coat using a paint pad, low-pressure chemical-resistant sprayer, roller, or brush.

Step 5 - allow sealer to penetrate the surface for 15-30 minutes. During this time, distribute excess over entire area

Step 5

Allow sealer to penetrate the surface for 15-30 minutes. During this time, distribute excess over entire area for even penetration. DO NOT allow the sealer to fully dry on the surface.

Step 6 - thoroughly wipe dry the entire surface with a clean, dry towel

Step 6

Thoroughly wipe dry the entire surface with a clean, dry towel.

Step 7 - apply a second coat if needed 30-40 minutes after the initial application

Step 7

A second coat may be needed for porous, absorbent surfaces and should be applied 30-40 minutes after initial application as directed in steps 4-6.

Step 8 - if sealer residue appears, rewet the area with sealer and wipe with a white nylon scrubbing pad to loosen the residue

Step 8

Should a sealer residue appear, rewet the impacted section of the surface with sealer. Wipe the surface with a white nylon scrubbing pad to loosen the residue, then wipe dry with a clean towel.

Step 9 - let the sealer cure for 24-72 hours, however, the treated surface may be used within 6-8 hours if needed

Step 9

It will take 24-72 hours for the sealer to fully cure, however, the treated surface may be used within 6-8 hours if needed. Red rosin paper may be used to cover and protect the surface while curing.


Chip, Crack, & Scratch Repair

A practical trait of natural stone, whether it's marble, granite, travertine, or another, is its incredible durability. While any stone option will hold up to normal everyday usage, it is possible to damage in some instances.

Chips and cracks can be repaired using a special epoxy, or stone filler, designed for the species and color of your specific stone. A distinctive characteristic of natural stone is voids, or gaps, in the surface of the stone. While this makes each product beautifully unique, these voids can also be filled using the same type of epoxy if they are unwanted.

Pour the epoxy over the cracks, breaks, or voids, penetrating deep within to solidify. After leaving to set overnight, you can scrape off any residue with a razor blade.

To repair scratches on your natural stone, you can get it resurfaced completely if the damage is severe. For minor cases, a stone color enhancer makes for an excellent budget-friendly, DIY option. These are designed to fill and camouflage, making scratches practically disappear. Simply apply the stone color enhancer over the scratch using a clean, dry cloth.

Hull Round Marble Vessel Sink in Dark Emperador for natural stone care
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