How to Seal Granite and Other Natural Stone

A damaged protective seal leaves granite and other natural stone surfaces susceptible to costly repair and replacement.

Frequently sealing granite countertops and any other natural stone surface is among Three, Essential Steps to care for your natural stone, whether it’s a countertop, floor, shower wall or vanity. Sealing frequently will maintain maximum surface protection for resistance against staining, etching and soil build-up.

We’re often asked how often natural stone should be sealed. Some in the industry will say once a year; others maybe twice annually.  The reality is you can never over-seal your stone.  Frequent sealing provides constant protection against oil-based stains such as salad dressing, cooking oil or vegetable oil.  When they come into contact with unsealed natural stone, the oils can penetrate the pores and leave unsightly reminders.  The same is true for water-based stains such as tea, wine or coffee.

Water should bead on stone surfaces, indicating the protective seal is working

So, to answer the question on how frequently you should be sealing granite countertops or other natural stone surfaces, our advice is to determine whether you need to reseal.  Here’s how you can do that:

• Pour water (about 3 inches in diameter) on the surface in several locations and let it sit for 30 minutes. If you see a dark mark or ring, the water is penetrating the stone and it’s time to reseal.

If it’s time to reseal or you’re sealing for the first time, you can have a professional restoration specialist handle the job for you – a pretty big price tag can come with that.  Some do-it-yourself stone sealers require protective gear because of the toxicity.  Granite Gold Sealer®, however contains no phosphates or ammonia.  We created it so sealing could be both safe and easy for homeowners.  It’s literally a spray-and-wipe solution, kind of like the wax-on-wax-off mantra from the Karate Kid movie.

In six simple steps, here’s how to seal granite and all other natural stone for about 10 percent of the cost of having a pro come do it for you or having to dress like your local hazardous waste team:

1. Make sure you thoroughly clean the surface with a safe-on-stone granite cleaner.  We, of course, recommend Granite Gold Daily Cleaner®.
2. Spray Granite Gold Sealer on the surface in a 3-foot section
3. Immediately wipe into stone with a lint-free cloth. Do not allow sealer to dry on the surface – it will cause hazing
4. Buff dry with a lint-free cloth
5. For maximum protection, repeat the process 2-3 times
6. Wait 24 hours for sealer to cure before using a granite polish such as Granite Gold Polish^® to add shine and luster

Once complete, you’ll have the added confidence knowing the pain-free effort you put into protecting your stone.