The Importance of Sealing

Maintaining beautiful and pristine countertops is something that all homeowners want once they have a natural stone countertop. There’s been some debate as to the procedure for doing so. Using a dedicated countertop sealer is certainly the best method of keeping your kitchen or bathroom countertops in great condition for years to come. A sealer works to protect them from harmful elements like acid liquids and harmful cleaning materials. Sealing only takes a few minutes and is one of the simplest household chores.

Astoria Granite Kitchen Island

What is a Sealer? 

So what exactly is a sealer? A sealer is a simple liquid that you apply to your countertops that works by filling in the pores of your stone with a resin that prevents stains from penetrating into the natural surface.

What Countertops Need to be Sealed?

All natural stones have differing porosities whether it’s granite, marble, travertine, onyx, or any other natural stone countertop. Though these stones appear smooth, they actually have tiny crevasses, which liquid can get trapped in, causing discoloration. When something like wine spills on your kitchen countertop, it can stain the stone if not wiped away immediately. The longer it sits, the more likely the stain is to cause permanent damage to your counters. 

Just as each individual slab is unique in color and design, the only real way to test the absorptive properties of your stone is with a non-staining liquid, such as water or mineral oil. Put just a few drops on your countertops, and if, after fifteen minutes, it’s started to sink in, it is time to re-apply sealer. In the right conditions, even the darkest granites can develop unattractive stains if not sealed properly.

AGM Daily Granite Cleaner

Applying a Countertop Sealer

Luckily, applying a sealer is a very quick and painless process. When using one like the Superior Zero Ultimate Stone Protector from Mr.stone, all you have to do is spray the area with the sealer, allow it to sit for a few minutes, and then wipe away the excess. It’s as simple as that! There’s no painful process of waiting around for hours on end. It’s straightforward, easy and can save your countertops in the long run.

Superior Zero Ultimate Stone Protector

We recommend sealing your kitchen countertops and bathroom vanity tops every six months, although sealing more often won’t harm them at all. For instance, if you have marble countertops and you’re quite active in your kitchen then you may want to seal them more often, perhaps up to four times per year. Other things can be done to get the most out of each sealing. You can extend the stain protection in your natural stone surfaces with daily cleaning. The AGM Daily Granite cleaner, also available at MrStone.com will not only clean your countertops, but also contains a small bit of sealer. If used regularly, you can keep your countertops looking as beautiful as the day you got them.

Finally, if you already have a stain on your countertop, don’t worry. It can be removed with an easy to use stain remover. After the stain is removed, remember to clean and seal your countertops, to prevent stains from developing in the future.