HOW TO SEAL AND CLEAN GRANITE COUNTERTOPS

Natural stone is an investment. Not only just of money, but of care over time. If you take good care of it, granite lasts a lifetime. Develop a regular maintenance plan and your granite countertops will remain strong and lustrous for decades.

DAILY CARE
It’s the little things that count. Your daily habits could mean the difference between a dulled countertop and a bright shiny one years from now.

When it comes to cleaning here’s what you need to know.

Dos	Don’ts
Do wipe counters off frequently to remove debris	Don’t use harsh cleansers (bathroom cleaners or grout cleaners)
Do blot up spills as quickly as possible	Don’t use abrasive substances to clean counters
Do wash with stone soap or a pH neutral cleaner	Don’t use vinegar or lemon juice to clean
Do dry counters thoroughly after cleaning or spills

Get into the habit of

Using coasters under drinks—even water left on your countertop can seep into the porous stone and leave behind a stain
Using trivets or mats under anything that could potentially scratch the surface
Keeping alcohol away from counters—alcohol is not pH neutral and will mark your counter
Never placing hot items right on the stone surface

granite counter top cleaning & sealing Newport Beach

Photo features

Photo features Slab countertop from the Granite Collectionin Tropical Brown

OCCASIONAL DEEP CLEANING
If you’ve been busy lately and your countertops have been the last thing on your mind, you may need to do a little extra cleaning to bring them back up to snuff. You can also do some countertop deep cleaning a couple times per year when you give the whole house an overhaul or you are preparing to reseal your countertop.

Select a heavy-duty stone cleaner that will degrease the counter and remove surface sealants (heavy-duty stone cleaners are specially formulated to deep clean stone without damaging it)
Mix the cleaner with water according to manufacturer directions and apply to the stone
Allow the cleaner to sit on the stone for the amount of time recommended by manufacturer
Agitate the cleaner on the countertop with a sponge or soft bristle brush
Mop up the soap and water then dry thoroughly
Polish or buff your countertops to a brilliant shine with a soft cloth

Stain Removal
Accidents happen. Try a regular and deep cleaning first. Then, if you find your countertops in need of some extra care, try this.

Select a stone poultice (fine, non-acidic clay powered agent)
Mix the poultice to the consistency of peanut butter
Wet the stained area with water
Put a ¼ to ½ inch layer of poultice on the stain
Cover with plastic and tape the edges to seal it to the countertop
Let the poultice dry for 24 hours then remove the plastic and let dry for another 24 hours
Gently remove the poultice, rinse with water and dry with a soft cloth
Always consult the manufacturer directions before use

WARNING: Poultice may dull the surface of your granite. If this occurs, use a stone polishing agent to restore its shine.

ANNUAL CARE
Your granite countertop will resist stains and daily use better if you seal it regularly. There are three types of sealer you can use on your countertops:

Topical Sealer
This type of sealer is a coating that covers the surface of the stone. It doesn’t seep into the stone like other sealers do. You can opt for permanent topical sealers or strippable sealers. Permanent sealers are very difficult to remove once they are applied. Strippable sealers are meant to be removed and re-applied regularly.

Penetrating/Impregnating Sealer
This sealer lets the natural beauty of your polished or honed countertop shine through. It does not add any extra shine to your countertop. Some sealers are water-based and others are solvent-based. Either way, be sure to select a penetrating sealer that is rated to protect your countertop for several years. Though most high-quality sealers protect your counter for several years, natural stone experts recommend sealing every year or two.

Stone Enhancer Sealer
Stone enhancers do everything a penetrating sealer does but adds a cosmetic factor to the job. Enhancers darken the stone to bring out the natural colors and patterns in the stone, much the same way wetting a stone does. They brighten up older countertops and keep newer countertops as beautiful as the day they were installed. Select a sealer that is rated to protect countertops for several years. Most stone experts suggest resealing annually or every two years.

Applying Sealer
Always consult manufacturer directions for proper use of a specific product. Here are the general usage guidelines.

Give the countertop a deep cleaning
Dry it thoroughly
Apply sealer with a soft cloth
Work in small areas
Allow the sealer to dry on the counter for 24 hours (or as the manufacturer recommends)
Apply a second coat of sealer
Topical sealers may have additional instructions
Always follow the manufacturer’s directions

Your granite countertops will look great for generations if you carefully follow a maintenance schedule to keep them at their best.