Natural stone has been formed over millions of years but improper care can ruin nature's beauty. Although we usually think of stones as "hard", it is a porous material that can absorb spills and stains if untreated. Sealing your stone with a quality impregnating sealer will prevent most spills from damaging your investment. There are a wide variety of sealers available, so you need to select one for your specific needs and natural stone type.

Clean your natural stone on a regular basis with warm water and a clean, non-abrasive cloth, sponge or mop. In addition, using a neutral cleaner specially formulated for natural stone will help remove soils that normal dusting or damp mopping leave behind. Do not use general purpose cleaners or you may damage your stone or the sealer applied. Do not use products that contain lemon, vinegar, or other acids as these may etch the stone surface and damage the polish. Do not use scouring powders or creams; these products contain abrasives that may scratch the surface.

• Use coasters under glasses, especially if they contain alcohol or citrus juices.
• Use trivets or mats under hot dishes or cookware.
• Use placemats under china, ceramics, silver or other objects that may scratch your stone's surface.
• Place a small rug or mat at entryways to trap dirt and sand from normal foot traffic.
• Dust countertops, islands, vanities, and floors frequently.
• Blot up spills immediately to minimize permanent damage to the stone.

• Don't use vinegar, bleach, ammonia or other general purpose cleaners.
• Don't use cleaners that contain acid such as bathroom cleaners, grout cleaners or tub and tile cleaners.
• Don't use abrasive cleaners such as dry cleansers or soft cleansers.
• Don't use alkaline cleaners not specifically formulated for natural stone.