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If you have a gorgeous granite countertop in your kitchen and desire to keep it in “ model home ” shape , you may demand to seal it . Some countertops are installed pre - certain , but if yours was not ( or you ’re not sure whether it was ) , do n’t detain giving it the shelter it postulate . Improper cleanup , neglected spills , and other effects of unremarkable use can well mar its surface . A tone penetrating or impregnating sealer will soak into the granite , filling the holey col , and keep damage at bay . lawful , a sealant only buy you fourth dimension — neglected spills will ooze into certain graniteeventually — but the ripe production , and the following steps for how to seal granite kitchen countertop , will aid protect your investment .

Water - based countertop sealants are environmentally favorable , while solvent - based sealant may be a little better at fathom the gem ( this horizontal surface of insight is arguably only authoritative on svelte granite ) . When you ’re shopping for the best granite sealer , it ’s a in effect melodic theme to check the labels of both water- or resolution - based sealants for the participating constituent fluorocarbon aliphatic resin . Though the intersection will be more expensive than those hold such agent as siloxane and silicon , fluorocarbon aliphatic rosin will allow for 5 to 10 years of auspices , versus the 6 months to 3 years provided by other sealants . What ’s more , fluorocarbon aliphatic resin repel crude oil and water , so your granite wo n’t be ruin by a salad dressing bad luck . A dry quart of fluorocarbon aliphatic resin sealant , such asStoneTech BulletProof Sealer , costs about $ 55 and propose between 100 to 250 square feet of coverage , depending on the brand name . A 24 - ounce sprayer nursing bottle of lesser solvent runs around $ 15 but might require reapplication every 6 months or so .

Woman wipes a granite countertop with a cloth as a cat looks on from the floor.

Photo: Getty Images

out front , you ’ll find world-wide counselling for how to varnish a granite countertop with either variety of granite sealer , but specific counselling vary consort to brand and dynamic ingredients . It ’s all important to watch the instructions on the sealant you buy in addition to these ready to hand guidelines for the good result .

Tools & Materials

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Step 1: Test the counter surface using water and oil.

set if thecountertoprequires waterproofing . Somewhere inconspicuous , like in a corner of the comeback , put a few drops of water on top , and a few inches off , put a few fall of crude oil . After 15 minutes , check to see if the water or oil has seeped in and darkened the granite . If so , proceed with these instructions for how to seal a granite countertop . If not , then the countertop is already varnish , and doing so again will not proffer extra protection but only will an untempting bleary film .

Step 2: Clean the countertop.

clean house the countertop 24 hours before seal it , making sure to avoid potentially damaging acetum , lemon juice , baking soda , bleach , or harsh commercial-grade cleanser . First , take everything off the counter and wipe it down well with a blank , juiceless microfiber cloth to remove all Earth’s surface dust . Then , mix 1 teaspoonful of dishwasher detergent and 2 tablespoons of isopropyl intoxicant in a pint atomiser bottle and fill with cool water . ( Alternately , you may employ a qualitycommercial granite dry cleaner . ) liberally spray the countertop and pass over it unobjectionable with a microfiber textile , polishing in a circular apparent movement . Wait 24 hour before proceeding : The space fill by the cleaning broker is the same space that the granite sealant will penetrate , so you must ensure that the cleaning liquid has full vaporise .

Step 3: Prepare to apply the sealant.

Read the granite sealer ’s recording label thoroughly to understand the applications programme method . Should our instructions vary from the label , table to the manufacturer . Open nearby windows and doors forimproved ventilation . If it ’s raining , do not afford windows that could allow rainwater to hit the countertop ; instead , open window in other areas of the room or in adjacent rooms .

Step 4: Test the sealant in an inconspicuous spot.

Put on golosh mitt and snaffle some gentle tag or washcloths . In an area usually cover by a small kitchen gadget , screen the sealant to ensure it wo n’t affect the finish . Spray or pour a small amount per manufacturer ’s guidance onto a textile and then rub it evenly over the examination area .

Step 5: Allow the sealer to absorb into the test area.

hold off the commend time for the sealer to soak up into the granite ( usually 15 to 20 minute of arc , but sometimes much long ) . Do n’t let it model longer than advocate because that could discolor the stone .

Step 6: Check the test area and, if necessary, reassess.

If the sealant examination area search gravid , proceed to Step 7 . If the counter surface has colour there , pass over up any remaining sealant with a clean sheet . snatch up a few photos of the expanse and show them to an associate at your local home plate improvement center for advice on a more appropriate product . Once you ’ve acquire a unexampled sealer , clean the granite counteragain and examine the new sealant in a discerning spot .

Step 7: Seal the countertop.

If the trial was successful , apply the sealant over the entire counter , begin at one end and work your way to the other . Apply in sections in a circular motion ( about an arm ’s distance in diam ) to ensure even reportage . waitress the manufacturer ’s recommend time for the product to absorb into the countertop .

Step 8: Wipe off excess sealant and allow it to cure.

After the absorption menstruum has passed , pass over off any extra sealant with a clean , dry rag by rubbing in a circular movement . Some products need a second coating , so watch over the instructions for doing so . If the product you use requires only one coat , leave it to heal , which can take between 2 and 48 time of day . Nonetheless , granite expert recommend waiting a full 48 hours before pass over a newly sealed granite countertop with anything wet . annul retrovert kitchenware to the heel counter until after the bring around point .

Step 9: Regularly clean your sealed granite countertop.

Once the countertop has fully cure , put your kitchen back in order . Keep the spray bottle of cleaner you create on hand for periodic use every calendar month or two . For daily cleanup , a dab of dishwasher detergent and a crocked rag will get the job done attractively . Strive to wipe up spills immediately and keep thecountertopdry to keep your granite look great .

How to Tell if Granite Needs Sealing

Your granite counter may be protected now , but it needs to be resealed every once in a while . The matter of how often to reseal granite depends on a few factors , such as the granite type and finish , how ofttimes it ’s used and cleaned , and the practical software and quality of its existing sealant .

Your counter may postulate to be resealed every 1 to 5 years . More porous granite with a smooth , honed finish that has been ill sealed and asseverate may need to be reseal every 1 to 2 years . A less permeabletype of granitewith a glossy destination , proper sealing , and regular maintenance may not require to be resealed for 3 to 5 years .

Here are a couple of surefire ways to know when it ’s sentence to seal granite again :

A comparison of a drop of oil versus a drop of oil that has been absorbed on granite countertop.

Photo: amazon.com

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A person using a sponge and soap to clean granite countertop near sink.

Photo: istockphoto.com

Yellow gloved hand using microfiber towel to apply sealant to countertop.

Photo: istockphoto.com

A woman looking closely at granite countertop with spray bottle and microfiber towel.

Photo: istockphoto.com

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