Before beginning remove all items, such as flower pots, vases and other decorations from the area you wish to seal. Be sure the surface is clean and completely dry before sealing. Typically it takes about 12 hours for granite to dry prior to applying sealer.
See how long it takes for the water to absorb. If the water absorbs into the stone in less than five minutes, the stone does need to be sealed. If the water is still standing after 30 minutes, no sealer is needed. Anywhere in between five and 30 minutes, the stone may benefit a sealer.
Apply sealant to countertops
Use a spray bottle, cloth, or brush to apply it. The entire surface should be damp, but not soaked. Give the sealant time to absorb into the stone. On average, it should take about 20 minutes, but take care to read the directions on the bottle of sealant for specifics.
While there are a variety of ways to care for and maintain your stone countertops, stone sealer is one of the most important. Throughout the life of your countertops, a sealer is necessary to keep your counters looking their best and to protect against scratches, stains, and overall dullness.
Clorox and Lysol sprays and wipes are convenient, but they are not safe for granite countertops. They rarely contain bleach, but they do generally contain citric acid to help remove soap scum. Avoid using bleach as well.
Unsealed granite counters are susceptible to stains from food, drinks, and other spills. Since granite is porous, is can quickly absorb food and liquids, which is then hard to get up. Sealing your countertops is the best way to avoid stains like this.
It's important to understand that an impregnating sealer should not alter the color or finish of the granite counter. It won't make a polished surface dull, or a matte counter shiny. It's invisible when dry.
Typically it takes about 12 hours for granted to dry prior to applying sealer. This is assuming normal, room temperature drying methods. Optimal sealing conditions are at or above room temperature.
Resealing granite prevents permanent damage to the stone and restores the original, factory shine. There are many sealers to choose from, but your granite countertops retailer should recommend the best product for your exact variety of stone.
Choosing the Right Sealant is Essential
For this reason, look for products in the class known as impregnating stone sealers. They are chosen by professional contractors for sealing granite, marble, and slate countertops. The top-rated product in this class is Tenax Hydrex Impregnating Stone Sealer.
If it beads up, you have a secure seal. If after a few minutes the water has soaked into the granite, then it's time to reseal the stone. DON'T: Use harsh or abrasive cleaners and sponges. Windex; acidic cleaners, like vinegar, lemon, lime; or anything with ammonia or bleach should be avoided.
Note: Some experts will recommend sealing granite countertops every “6-12 months” or “3-5 years”, but there is no hard and fast rule.
If you've had granite countertops installed, then you'll need to wait 24 hours before using the countertops. This is because granite needs to be sealed after installation to protect the porous surface from moisture. Quartz countertops can be used straight away as they don't need sealing.
It's best to use only dish soap and water. Cleaning granite is simple: just mix warm water with a mild dish soap and wipe the countertops gently until clean.
It has a natural water resistance that helps protect it. However, it isn't water-proof. Because granite is a stone, it is also naturally porous. And while it won't absorb in the same way as, say, sandstone or limestone, it will still absorb bits of moisture that can eventually damage your counters.
Most water stains are only a temporary problem. The granite may darken or lighten in color when the water is absorbed into the stone. However, once the water evaporates, the color of the stone should return to normal. You need to seal the surface regularly with a high-quality sealant, which prevents water absorption.
This natural stone is extremely hard and durable and it definitely can't be stained easily. That's not to say granite can't be stained at all. Granite can still suffer from water stains, so we're going to discuss how to remove it. Under some circumstances water stains, or worse, hard water stains can happen.
You don't want to apply sealant too often. If you do, sealant will pool on the surface instead of absorbing into the stone. This will create a dull surface coating that makes your countertop less attractive. The surface coating is easier to damage than the granite, so you might notice scratches and burns.
Duration. A good granite sealer can last anywhere from six months to five years. However, even if your countertop is sealed, be sure to clean it regularly.
The good news is sealing granite is an easy do-it-yourself project. Many homeowners seal their granite counters once or twice a year, although you can seal them more regularly if you wish because it is not possible to over-seal natural stone.
A few '15-year' sealants are some of the best chemically engineered sealers available. They penetrate deeply into the stone and provide superior water & oil repellency. However, like all sealers, '15- year' sealers cannot prevent etching and unfortunately, they do not prevent stains for 15 years either.
As good as a cleaner for windows and other glass surfaces, Windex has some elements on its compositions that can permanently damage granite when used for a long time. For that reason, you should never use Windex on granite.
Granite is naturally heat resistant, and heat damage would occur only if the granite was heated unevenly. So briefly putting a hot pan down on your granite countertop isn't going to cause long-term damage. That said, we don't recommend putting hot pans on granite countertops — not for the granite's sake but for yours.