Granite countertops need to be sealed at least once a year and sometimes more often depending on the amount of traffic and cleaners you use on them. You can easily tell if the seal is wearing off if the water does not “bead up” on the granite. If it doesn’t bead up, that means the water or any other liquid is seeping into your granite countertops and it is time to re-seal them. This is the product that we use: Granite Sealer
.
To keep granite countertops clean, use a Granite Microfiber Cloth
. The cloth can be used daily to wipe down the granite and keep it shinny.
to dust off countertop surfaces. Wipe down the granite countertops daily and as needed using water. Once a week wipe down with a damp cloth and a stone cleaner formulated with a neutral pH. Never use harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners. They can scratch, pit, and etch the surface of the stone.
How to Seal Granite Countertops
First, order your sealer from Amazon, it is cheaper than going to your local hardware store. This is the product we use: Granite Sealer. Make sure all windows are closed so that dirt and dust aren’t an issue. Use a clean rag to wipe down the surface of the granite to make sure you have a nice clean surface. Clean the countertop with a natural stone or granite cleaner. Spray the area and let the cleaner sit for about 30 seconds before scrubbing with a sponge. Dry the area with a clean dry towel. Use a clean cloth or brush to apply the sealer to the granite countertop. Allow the applied sealer to dry for three or four minutes. Wait until it is almost dry and apply another coat of sealer onto the granite. Rub the sealer into the granite with a clean cloth. It recommended to apply 2 coats of seal. Wait until the first coat is dry before applying the second coat. Depending on the sealer brand you use, drying time could take as long as three to four hours. Granite should be sealed about once a year to help protect the surface and keep it looking shinny and new. If these are new countertops installed after a remodeling project, I would wait until all of the subcontractors have finished their work before applying the seal. All of our kitchen remodeling projects in San Antonio that have new granite countertops have the seal applied after the final cleaning has been done. This way you are less likely to have any dust stick to the sealer. Construction dust is the enemy so make sure you vacuum up all the dust before sealing your new granite countertops. Most granite installers will cover the coutertop with some sort of plastic or butcher paper to protect the granite until the seal is ready for application.
