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Using water when cutting stone drastically reduces the amount of dust that comes off the stone. It’s beneficial to cut down on the amount of dust for respiratory and other safety reasons, such as keeping your vision clear while using an electric tool. Even with protective eyewear, the dust can still cloud your safety glasses. You should always wear protective gear when cutting stone.

Use pH-neutral cleaners specifically designed for stone surfaces to clean granite or marble. Avoid acidic or abrasive cleaners that can damage the sealant or the stone itself. Regular re-sealing helps protect the surface from stains and damage.

You generally cannot change the color of the natural stone, such as making granite countertops darker or lighter. Some people claim that certain chemicals will lighten or darken granite, but those will damage the stone and not provide uniform, expected results, so it’s better not to try. Similarly, some people ask whether they can stain over granite. Granite is beloved for its stain-resistant finish, so you probably won’t get the best outcome if you try to stain over granite to make it darker.

Instead, consider honing, painting, or applying another material over the top of the granite to make it appear darker.

In most cases, chipped or cracked granite can be salvaged, but it depends on the size and scope of the damage. For example, a pro can smooth out small chips on the edge with polish pads or an angle grinder, but a crack that runs through the stone's surface has little-to-no chance of being fixed easily.