Caring for Exotic Natural Marble and Quartzite Countertops

Natural stone does not need fussing. It needs the right three habits and the discipline to avoid the two products that undo them.

Understand etching versus staining

A stain is colour absorbed into the stone; a sealer prevents it. An etch is a chemical burn where acid dissolves calcite at the surface; no sealer prevents it. Marble etches, quartzite largely does not, and confusing the two leads owners to blame a perfectly good sealer.

Daily practice

• pH-neutral cleaner only: Vinegar, citrus sprays, and most bathroom cleaners are acidic and will dull a polish.
• Blot, do not wipe: Wiping spreads a spill across more surface area and drives pigment into the pores.
• Trivets and boards: Not for heat resistance, which stone has, but for scratches from unglazed ceramics and cast iron.

The annual audit

Place a tablespoon of water on the counter and leave it 30 minutes. If the stone darkens beneath it, the sealer has expired and needs reapplication. Test the highest-traffic zone, typically beside the sink and the cooktop, rather than a pristine corner.