Why Does My Granite Scratch So Easily? An Expert Guide for Homeowners

As a homeowner, you likely chose gorgeous granite countertops to add natural beauty and value to your home. But despite granite being one of the hardest stones on Earth, you may have noticed it still scratches and scuffs more easily than expected. Don’t worry – this is normal for granite. The good news is that with proper care and maintenance, you can keep your granite pristine for decades.

In this comprehensive guide, I’ll explain exactly why granite is prone to scratching, simple tips to prevent damage, and how to fix scratches or etches if they do occur. I’ve been helping homeowners like you with home renovations and upgrades for over 10 years, so I’m excited to share my expertise to help you keep your granite counters looking brand new.

What Makes Granite Susceptible to Scratching?

To understand why granite scratches easily, you need to know a little about its composition and structure. Here’s a quick overview:

• Made of multiple minerals – Granite consists of quartz, feldspar, mica, and other natural minerals.

• Varying hardness – The minerals have different hardnesses – quartz is 7 on the Mohs scale, while mica is 2.5-3.

• Crystalline structure – The minerals form visible crystals and grains.

• Brittle – Hard yet brittle, so chips and cracks can occur.

So unlike a man-made solid surface, granite has natural vulnerabilities:

• Softer minerals like mica scratch easier than the hard quartz.

• Tiny crystalline grains can flake off.

• Impacts can cause brittle granite to chip.

• Pressure and friction wears down the overall surface.

Knowing why granite is prone to scratching will help you prevent and repair it. Now let’s look at some of the most common causes.

Top 5 Causes of Scratches on Granite

Over my 10+ years of working with homeowners, I’ve seen the same culprits behind granite scratches and damage over and over again. Here are the top 5 causes:

1. Cutting directly on the counter

One of the biggest mistakes I see is people slicing, chopping, or prepping food right on their granite counters. Even though granite is hard, a sharp knife blade is harder and will leave sliced grooves and scratches on the surface.

• The fix? Always use a cutting board! I recommend keeping it directly on the counter while prepping food to protect that area.

2. Sliding objects across the surface

Pots, pans, and appliances will scratch granite when slid across the surface. Even small items like a salt shaker can leave marks. This friction wears away the crystals.

• The solution is two-fold:

1. Lift objects to reposition them rather than sliding.

2. Use felt pads or rubber feet on chair legs, appliances etc to prevent dragging.

3. Dropping heavy objects

Granite is durable, but subject it to blunt force trauma by dropping something heavy and you risk chipping or cracking it. Some of the worst damage I’ve seen is from homeowners dropping heavy canned goods or appliances.

• Be extra cautious when working above your counters. Use padded hot pads instead of setting hot pans down directly.

4. Harsh cleaners and abrasives

It may be tempting to break out harsh chemical cleaners or abrasives like Comet or an SOS pad to clean stubborn marks, but this damages rather than helps granite.

• Stick to gentle granite cleaners and soft cloths or you’ll make things worse.

5. Lack of sealing

When granite isn’t properly sealed, liquids can soak in and stain. Reapplying a penetrating sealer every 1-2 years protects against this kind of damage.

• Mark your calendar to reseal yearly. It takes me just an hour or two to seal kitchen counters and makes a huge difference.

Now that you know what causes granite to scratch, let’s talk about how to prevent it…

6 Pro Tips to Prevent Granite Scratches

The best offense is a good defense when it comes to caring for your granite. Here are my top 6 professional tips to fend off scratches:

1. Seal granite regularly

Penetrating sealers are a must to protect against stains, etching, and abrasions. I recommend Miracle Sealants 511 Porous Plus or Dry Treat Premium Impregnating Sealer for granite. Reapply every 1-2 years.

2. Use soft-surface accessories

Felt chair leg pads, silicone baking mats, and cloth placemats create a buffer between granite and objects. I put felt pads on everything!

3. Clean gently with non-abrasives

Avoid harsh cleansers. Use soft cloths and gentle granite cleaners like Method Daily Granite.

4. Don’t slide objects over the surface

Lift rather than slide glasses, appliances, etc. Apply felt pads to chair and furniture legs.

5. Use cutting boards and trivets

Protect surfaces under cooking prep areas with boards. Set hot pots on trivets.

6. Treat spills ASAP

Sealing makes granite more stain resistant, but wipe any spills immediately to be safe.

Following these simple guidelines will help enormously in keeping your granite pristine and avoiding scratches or damage. But what if you already have some light scratches? Let’s look at your options for repairing them…

How to Remove Light Scratches from Granite

If your granite already has some minor scratches or abrasions, don’t worry – they can often be repaired to restore the original polished surface. Here are some effective DIY methods to remove light granite scratches:

Abrasive cleaning pads

For minor surface scratches, use a 3000+ grit abrasive cleaning pad in circular motions. Apply even pressure and keep the pad flat against the surface. Rinse when done.

Baking soda or flour poultice

Mix baking soda or flour with a little water to form a paste. Apply to the scratch and let sit 30 minutes before scrubbing lightly with a soft cloth. Rinse completely.

Polishing powder

A powder containing tin oxide or aluminum oxide will polish off surface flaws. Use a damp sponge or cloth to rub it into scratches using a circular motion.

Resealing

Scratches make granite more porous. Reseal with a penetrating sealer after repairing scratches to add that last layer of protection.

With the right technique, you can often remove or significantly reduce the appearance of light surface scratches on granite. But deeper abrasions will likely require a pro’s touch…

Professional Repairs for Deep Granite Scratches

While light scratches can be addressed with DIY methods, deeper abrasions, chips or cracks in granite call for a professional fabricator to repair them properly. Here are two options:

Filling and polishing

For narrow scratches where the edges are intact, your pro can clean out debris and fill with a color-matched resin. After drying, they’ll polish the area to blend with the surrounding granite.

Patching a damaged section

With a missing chunk of stone or crack, a more extensive patch repair is needed. This involves cutting out and replacing the damaged section. A pro will source granite slabs that match your existing stone.

I always recommend calling in a professional granite fabricator for anything beyond light surface scratches. They have the specialized tools and expertise to restore damaged spots safely and seamlessly.

Common Granite Scratch and Damage Questions, Answered

Here are my answers to some of the most frequently asked questions I get from homeowners about granite scratching:

Are there scratch resistant granite options?

Certain granites like Uba Tuba or Kashmir Gold are harder than average and more scratch resistant. But any natural stone will be prone to some surface abrasion over time.

Can I completely remove scratches from polished granite?

It depends on the depth. Light surface abrasions can usually be removed with polishing. But deeper scratches often permanently damage the glossy finish to some degree.

Will a sealant prevent surface scratches?

Sealants mainly protect against staining, etching and absorption. They don’t prevent physical surface scratches, but do create a barrier helping reduce their appearance and visibility.

Can I use a Magic Eraser to remove marks on my granite?

Yes! Magic Eraser sponges are safe to use on granite to remove surface scuffs and marks. Just be gentle, test in an inconspicuous spot first, and avoid excessive scrubbing pressure.

I hope these tips equip you to keep your granite counters looking amazing for years. Please reach out if you need any advice on caring for your granite or repairing stubborn scratches and damage. I’m always happy to help homeowners protect their investment.