Granite Countertop Cleaning and Sealing: Essential Tips

One of the best countertop materials is granite. Not only is this natural stone stunning, but it is also highly hardy and stain-resistant. Granite even contains qualities that make it resistant to heat. Suppose you wish to learn how to care for granite countertops in the best manner possible or are thinking about installing granite counters but are worried about maintenance. In that case, we will talk about granite countertop cleaning and sealing.

Granite countertops must be properly cared for to keep your kitchen looking lovely. This solid stone needs upkeep to stay safe and maintain its stunning appearance despite being strong and long-lasting. Cleaning countertops is easy; you must grab some cleaning supplies and scrub thoroughly. You don’t need to clean your granite counter with many complicated or specialized chemicals daily. Avoid putting any stain sources on the granite, and immediately clean any spills.

Granite needs constant and specific cleaning before sealing to preserve the beauty and integrity of your item and keep your natural stone countertops looking beautiful for years to come. Fortunately, cleaning and sealing granite countertops is a quick process you can finish in one day. To achieve the best results, learn everything you need to understand before sealing your granite. As you’re here, you will find step-by-step instructions to answer your concerns.

See Also: Brown Granite Countertops

Table of Contents

How To Clean Granite Before Sealing

First, use a clean, moist microfiber cloth to remove dust or spills from the granite countertops. Then, use warm water and dish soap to clean granite surfaces. Because soap can eventually leave a film behind, especially on black granite, wring out the cloth and wipe it again with clean water to eliminate any residue.

Never use an abrasive pad on surfaces made of granite or another natural stone. You might damage the surface by using wire cleaners, brushes, or sponges. The best item is a microfiber cloth because it won’t scratch and will gather dust and debris rather than scatter it. Avoid the temptation to scrub a sticky spot off of your granite countertop. Instead, use a soft cloth to remove stains by wiping them with water or a pH-neutral cleaner. If you need to remove a larger stain, like dried food, use a plastic scraper to eliminate the residue.

Once your counter is clean, it’s crucial to dry it properly with a brand-new microfiber towel. Granite countertops risk being stained if water is left on them. All done! Keeping your granite counters clean is relatively easy, and you can use pricy, specialized cleaners. Also, Read this article for granite colors.

How To Polish And Seal Granite

The steps listed below can be used to properly polish and seal granite:

Clean The Countertop

Before sealing, clean the granite countertop; avoid using harsh commercial cleaners, vinegar, lemon juice, baking soda, or bleach because these substances may cause damage.

Before cleaning your granite surface with warm, soapy water, remove everything from the counter and wash it with a clean, dry microfiber cloth to remove any surface dust.

Buy: Cleaner & Sealer for Granite

Prepare And Test The Sealant Application

To understand the application procedure, carefully read the granite sealer’s label. Wear some rubber gloves, then gather some soft rags or washcloths. Test the sealant to ensure it won’t harm the finish in an area often covered by a small kitchen appliance.

Apply the product uniformly across the test area by spritzing or pouring a small amount onto a cloth as directed by the manufacturer. This method is helpful for granite countertop cleaning and sealing.

Allow The Test Area To Absorb The Sealer

Give the sealer the necessary amount of time to soak into the granite. The stone may become discolored if you leave it out longer than the manufacturer advises. Also, click here for Dolomite Countertops.

Seal The Countertop

If the test was successful, evenly apply a sealant to the entire counter, working from one end to the other. To achieve equal coverage, apply in parts in a circular motion. Give the product the required amount of time to absorb into the countertop. Want to Seal the Granite countertop flawlessly? Check it out here.

Remove Any Extra Sealant And Let It Dry

Once the absorption period is through, use a clean, dry towel to massage any remaining sealant in a circular motion. If the product only needs one application, give it time to dry, which can take anywhere from two to forty-eight hours. Follow the directions if a second coat is necessary for some products. And this is how you go about cleaning and sealing granite countertops.

Check out: What is Decomposed Granite Stabilizer

Granite Polishing

About as simple as sealing is polishing your surfaces. Natural stone that has been cleaned and polished brings forth its inherent beauty and strengthens the seal. After the sealer has had time to cure, give the countertops about 24 hours before polishing them for more protection and gloss. You should pour stone polish 6 to 8 inches from the bottle’s surface.

Buff the counters immediately with a dried paper towel or carpet fibers cloth. After polishing, use a fresh cloth to dry off the countertops for extra advice on polishing, cleaning, and sealing stone surfaces. How to remove Stains from Granite Counter? Read this article to learn.

How To Deep Clean Granite Countertops

Granite is very easy to maintain daily. Warm water, a washcloth, a little dish soap, and a hand towel for drying are all you need.

Use the warm, soapy dishcloth to clean up spills or other filth. Follow up with a brisk towel dry to remove extra water and prevent stains.

Combine distilled water and isopropyl alcohol in a spray bottle to disinfect granite. Spray the countertop liberally, then wait two to three minutes before cleaning it. Use a washcloth to clean up. It should also bring back the gleaming gloss of your granite.

FAQs

What do you clean granite with?

Avoid harsh abrasives or extremely acidic solutions on your granite countertops because they can dull them. Use a washcloth or sponge, gentle soap, and water to remove dirt and food residue. Use a fresh, dry towel to dry after washing completely. Explain briefly the best way to clean granite. Fill the spray bottle with 1.5 cups of warm water, 1.5 teaspoons of dish soap, and 1.5 cups of rubbing alcohol. Dish soap's ability to remove grease and dirt from surfaces and alcohol's ability to disinfect will work together to rid the granite surface of bacteria.

What kind of sealant do experts use on granite?

Tenax Hydrex Impregnating Stone Sealer is the best-reviewed item in this category. Since the sealant is used by professionals and has been shown to keep out moisture, there is no chance of mold or bacteria growth. The substance that stains natural stone countertops the most easily, oil, does not penetrate it either.

What happens if granite countertop cleaning and sealing need to be done properly?

Food, drink, and other spills can leave stains on unsealed granite countertops. Granite can easily absorb liquids and food due to its porosity, making it difficult to get up after. The best way to prevent stains like these is to seal your countertops and clean them regularly.

How is haze removed from granite?

Generally, as you periodically clean your counters, the haze disappears over time. To clear the haze, try using a damp towel first, followed by a dry towel. Applying a dish soap and water solution with a microfiber cloth should do the trick if that doesn't work.

Conclusion

Granite countertop cleaning and sealing are important. If you seal them first and then clean them, all the particles and dirt will be trapped behind sealer coatings and won’t come out until it breaks, which, depending on the sealer, could take a very long time. You can easily seal granite and other natural stone countertops. To almost the point of wipe on, wipe off. It’s not difficult, and the only specific expertise needed is the capacity to adhere to some straightforward directions. There’s no need to worry. You won’t experience any issues if you stick to the above simple instructions. Also, click here for 10 Granite Edges Types.

Also Read: How Stain-Resistant Are Quartz Countertops