How To Seal Your Granite
A very popular option in homes, granite countertops can be used in kitchens and in bathrooms. It's a durable material that will hold up well over time if cared for properly. The downside to granite is that it is very porous, meaning if it isn't sealed and protected, it will begin to soak in anything left on it such as juice spills or water droplets. Sealing granite is an important part of the maintenance process. See below for tips on how to seal your granite to keep it looking like new.
Tools And Materials For The Job:
- Acetone
- Razor blade
- Daily granite cleanser
- Granite sealer
- Microfiber cloths
Instructions:
- To begin with, you should understand when your counters need to be sealed. You can tell when they should be done if they begin to absorb water quickly. You can test a small area by placing a few droplets of water on your granite and checking to see if the water absorbs into the granite. Be sure to test in an inconspicuous area, and only ever test with water. Your granite should be sealed just about every year.
- When choosing a granite sealer, be sure to look for something that will repel oil and water based stains and a sealer that is safe for food preparation areas (if you are sealing a kitchen counter). There are a number of different sealers on the market, so be sure to read the label on the one you choose and read the directions as well.
- Clean your granite with a daily cleaner and be sure to remove everything from your counters. You want to be sure that every crumb and spot has been cleaned from your counter, so if you feel anything leftover and stuck to your granite, use a razor blade to gently scrape the particles away.
- Before sealing the countertop, be sure that the counters are completely dry. Also, open up a window or a door when working with the sealer, as the fumes can be bothersome.
- Next, take your granite sealer and spray a generous amount of sealer onto your counter, working in a small 3' x 3' section at a time. Then wipe the sealer into your granite. Continue working in this manner until you have sealed the entire countertop.
Sealing your granite is an important maintenance task to prevent spills and splatters from setting in and marring your gorgeous counters. Talk to your granite dealer about which sealer is best for your granite.