Keep Surfaces Safe for Summer Cooking: Tips for Stone Countertop Care

Summer is here—and with it comes backyard BBQs, fresh seasonal produce, family get-togethers, and late-night snack sessions after long days in the sun. Whether you’re prepping a colorful salad, assembling burgers, or slicing up a watermelon for the kids, your kitchen countertops are working overtime this season. To keep your stone surfaces looking and performing their best, it’s important to protect them from the unique wear and tear summer can bring.

In this blog, we’ll cover everything you need to know to keep your granite, quartz, quartzite, marble, dolomite, and soapstone surfaces safe and summer-ready. From heat protection and proper cleaning to stain prevention and outdoor surface care, here’s how to make the most of your summer kitchen while keeping your stone countertops in top shape.

Before we jump into tips, it’s important to know that each type of stone has its own unique set of strengths and sensitivities. Here’s a quick refresher:

• Granite: Durable, heat-resistant, and relatively low maintenance. Still requires sealing to prevent staining.
  
• Quartz: Engineered for strength and non-porous, making it resistant to staining and bacteria. Not heat-proof.
  
• Quartzite: Natural and elegant with similar durability to granite. Requires sealing.
  
• Marble: Gorgeous and timeless, but porous and prone to etching and staining if not properly sealed.
  
• Dolomite: A good middle ground between marble and granite—still needs sealing and a bit more care.
  
• Soapstone: Non-porous and naturally resistant to heat and bacteria. Will darken over time and may scratch easily.

Knowing your stone’s characteristics helps you take the right approach to care, especially during the high-traffic summer months.

Summer meals often mean hot pots, sizzling pans, and baking sheets straight from the oven. While natural stone is known for its resilience, it’s still best practice to protect your surfaces from sudden heat exposure.

• Do: Use trivets, hot pads, or wooden boards when placing hot cookware or appliances (like air fryers or griddles) on your countertops—especially if you have quartz, which can discolor or crack from high heat.
  
• Don’t: Assume all stone is completely heat-proof. While granite and soapstone are more forgiving, prolonged exposure to heat can still weaken or discolor any stone over time.

Summer means lemons, limes, tomatoes, vinegars, and all kinds of zesty marinades. These ingredients are delicious—but can be damaging to natural stone, especially marble and dolomite.

• Do: Use cutting boards and trays when preparing acidic foods.
  
• Don’t: Let juices or sauces sit on the countertop for too long. Wipe up spills immediately with a damp cloth.
  

Acidic liquids can cause etching—a dull, whitish mark where the surface has been eaten away—especially on marble and dolomite. While these marks can be repaired, it’s best to avoid them in the first place.

During the summer, your kitchen may see more mess than usual. Whether it’s sticky popsicle drips, BBQ sauce splatters, or sandy hands from outdoor play, cleaning becomes even more essential.

• Do: Use a pH-balanced stone cleaner or mild dish soap with warm water for regular cleaning.
  
• Don’t: Use bleach, ammonia, vinegar, or other harsh chemicals. These can strip sealants and damage the stone.
  

For dried spills like gum or sticky food, gently scrape with a plastic putty knife (never metal) and follow with a soft cloth.

If you have granite, marble, quartzite, or dolomite surfaces, sealing is your best defense against summer’s messy side.

• Do: Reseal your countertops once or twice a year depending on usage. Summer is a great time to do it if it hasn’t been done in a while.
  
• Don’t: Skip sealing and assume a polished surface means protected. Water and oil can still seep into unsealed stone, causing stains.
  

A good rule of thumb: if water doesn’t bead up on the surface, it’s probably time to reseal.

Summer brings vibrant fruits, sauces, and beverages that can leave stubborn stains. Think wine, berries, ketchup, and popsicles—colorful and tasty, but not so fun when they leave their mark.

• Do: Clean spills immediately, and use coasters and placemats under drinks, especially with kids around.
  
• Don’t: Let colored liquids pool or sit for extended periods. Even quartz can stain if spills are left long enough.
  

If a stain does occur, reach out to your stone installer or fabricator for a safe removal method specific to your stone type.

Got an outdoor kitchen or stone bar area? Summer is prime time for outdoor entertaining—but these surfaces can take a beating from sun, rain, and repeated use.

• Do: Use covers when the space isn’t in use and reseal natural stone to protect against UV rays and moisture.
  
• Don’t: Use indoor quartz outdoors. UV exposure can cause discoloration and degradation over time.
  

Soapstone, granite, and dolomite are more suitable for outdoor use. Be sure to wipe down surfaces after each use to prevent buildup from food, bugs, or pollen.

With more fresh produce and food prep, it’s tempting to chop right on the countertop, but your knives and your stone will thank you if you don’t.

• Do: Use cutting boards every time.
  
• Don’t: Cut directly on the stone. Not only can it scratch (especially marble and soapstone), but it also dulls your knives.
  

Summer brings a few unique cleaning challenges—like bug spray residue, sunscreen smudges, or even melted candle wax from outdoor tables.

• Do: Use a gentle, damp cloth to wipe away sunscreen or oily smears.
  
• Don’t: Use abrasive sponges or steel wool—these can scratch the surface and wear away sealants.
  

For sticky residues like wax or sap, chill the area with ice until it hardens, gently scrape with a plastic tool, then clean with a stone-safe cleanser.

If your kitchen becomes a hub for guests, kids, or summer visitors, a few countertop care guidelines can go a long way.

• Designate cutting boards, coasters, and trivets, and make sure they’re easily accessible.
  
• Encourage guests to clean up spills right away.
  
• Place a small countertop sign near sinks or prep areas with a quick reminder to avoid cutting or placing hot items directly on the stone.
  

It might seem small, but these gentle reminders help everyone respect the investment you’ve made in your surfaces.

At the end of the season, take a little time to inspect your countertops for wear and tear.

• Check for stains, scratches, or dull spots.
  
• Clean and reseal if needed.
  
• Reach out to your installer if you notice cracks, chips, or persistent stains that need repair.
  

This proactive approach helps extend the life of your stone and keeps it looking beautiful as you head into fall.

Your kitchen and outdoor stone surfaces are built to serve, and with just a little extra care this season, they’ll keep performing beautifully for years to come. Whether you’re serving up fresh summer dishes, entertaining guests, or just enjoying a quiet moment with a glass of lemonade, your stone surfaces should work with you, not against you.

By keeping your countertops clean, protected, and properly maintained, you’ll ensure they stay just as stunning on Labor Day as they were on Memorial Day.

If you’re unsure about the best care for your specific stone or want to refresh your surfaces with a resealing or repair, the team at Chippewa Stone is here to help. Our experts can recommend the right maintenance solutions and answer any questions you have about countertop longevity and performance.

Whether you’re planning an install or just want to keep your current space looking flawless, reach out to us today or visit mychippewastone.com to learn more.

Let’s make this a summer to savor—starting with surfaces you can count on.