Myth Busters: 7 Natural Stone Care Myths Debunked
By Granite Heroes Team · 2025-03-22
Think you know how to care for your natural stone? You might be surprised. We bust the most common stone care myths.
Myth Busters: 7 Natural Stone Care Myths Debunked After years of restoring stone damaged by well-meaning homeowners, we've heard every myth in the book. Let's set the record straight. Myth 1: "Granite Is Indestructible" Reality: Granite is incredibly durable, but it's not bulletproof. It can: - Chip on edges and corners - Stain if left unsealed - Lose its polish over decades of use - Crack from extreme impact Myth 2: "You Can Use Any Cleaner on Sealed Stone" Reality: Sealing protects against staining, not chemical damage. Acidic cleaners will etch marble and limestone whether they're sealed or not. Always use pH-neutral products. Myth 3: "Marble Is Too Delicate for Kitchens" Reality: Marble has been used in kitchens for centuries. Yes, it requires more care than granite, but with proper sealing and cleaning habits, marble kitchens age beautifully with a lived-in patina. Myth 4: "DIY Polishing Products Work Just as Well" Reality: Store-bought stone "polishers" are usually topical coatings that: - Create a temporary shine that wears off quickly - Build up over time, creating a hazy appearance - Can actually make professional restoration harder True polishing physically smooths the stone at a microscopic level. Myth 5: "Sealing Changes the Look of Your Stone" Reality: Quality impregnating sealers are completely invisible. They penetrate below the surface without changing color, texture, or sheen. (Cheap topical sealers can leave a coating, though—another reason to go professiona