If you need to seal your granite counter tops, this step-by-step guide makes it a snap.

1. Perform the paper towel test to determine whether your granite needs to be sealed. Some types of granite never need sealing and adding sealer to these types will just make a mess.
   • Soak a paper towel (without printing) or a white cotton towel. Place the water-soaked towel on the counter and wait about 5 minutes.
   • Is the area under the paper towel dark from the water soaking into the granite? If it is discolored, your granite needs to be sealed.
2. Uniformly apply the sealer to your counter top using a clean white rag. You can use a brush instead of a rag.
3. Let the sealer absorb into the stone for approximately 20 to 25 minutes.
4. When the sealer is almost dry, apply a little more sealer on your granite and then rub it in with a dry, clean rag.
5. Repeat on the next section of stone until your entire counter top is sealed.
6. Wait at least two hours and then apply a second application. The wait time depends on your specific brand of sealer.

Tips

• It's best to work in a small area, 4 to 5 square feet.
• If your granite needs to be sealed, use at least 2 coats of sealer.
• Wait at least 2 hours before reapplying sealer.
• To find out if your stone is sufficiently sealed, spill water on your counter top, wait for about 1/2 hour, then wipe it up. If your stone does not darken, your counter top is sufficiently sealed.
• Granite is a naturally porous surface, so be sure to clean the area with a low PH cleaner and allow it to dry completely before sealing. Depending on the thickness and quality of your granite, it may need to dry overnight.
• Make sure when you apply the sealant, the surface is completely sealed.
• The purpose of sealer is to keep liquids from penetrating the granite. Seal your granite when liquids other than water soak into your stone because these "other" liquids can leave behind hard to remove stains and also are home to germs and bacteria
• Remember also that if you do not use a permanent sealer, you will need to seal and reseal your granite every six months to a year.
• Granite can be sealed permanently with a lifetime warranty and maintenance free, so that you don't have to wipe up spills immediately and can use ammonia or bleach to clean.