How to Properly Seal Your Marble Counters

Whether you choose to install marble in your house or inherit this natural stone from a previous homeowner, you won’t be able to get around the need for maintenance, which means frequent applications of sealant. Should you neglect caring for your stone, the consequences will be unsightly: hard-to-remove stains could appear and continue to get more stubborn unless you keep a fresh seal. After a while, hard water stains may form and etching could emerge. Once this happens, your marble surfaces will probably need to be refinished by a professional, which can be costly. Learning how to seal marble countertops is easy with Granite Gold Sealer®, a marble and granite sealer formulated for household use. Here are the steps you should follow to care for your marble.

Perform a Water Test

If you’re having marble countertops installed, you can rest assured the contractors will seal the surface because the last thing they want is for you to call them with complaints of water staining a few days later. In case you don’t know how much time has passed since the last sealing, you need to conduct a water test. Pour water about 3 inches in diameter on various spots of the counter. If any of the spots begin to darken within 30 minutes, you’re in need of sealing. You don’t need to apply sealant if the water beads in place. However, if it seeps into the marble, you need to seal.

Clean Your Marble Counters

Use a marble and granite cleaner such as Granite Gold Daily Cleaner® to prepare the surface for sealing. Never use household cleaners you get from the supermarket, as doing so may cause damage to your marble over time. If you have stubborn coffee stains, you can remove them by soaking a white terrycloth towel or cotton balls with bleach and letting them sit overnight, then rinsing with water. Oil stains can be removed with a baking soda and acetone paste, which you also need to let sit for 24 hours and rinse with water. Make sure to clean your counters before sealing.

Apply Sealant

Natural-stone sealant can be sprayed right on the marble and wiped to ensure it penetrates the surface through the pores. Spray the sealant in 3-foot sections and work it in before it dries. Make sure to use a lint-free cloth and apply a buffing motion that lets you see the sealant being absorbed. You don’t want to see a film forming on the countertop. Let the sealant cure for about 24 hours before polishing with Granite Gold Polish®.

Incorporate Resealing into a Maintenance Routine

Run a water test a few weeks after the first sealant application. If the water doesn’t penetrate, your seal should be strong, and this may help you determine the frequency of resealing. However, it’s not possible to overseal stone, so feel free to seal your marble as frequently as you wish. From grout cleaner to stone and tile floor cleaner, Granite Gold® has everything you need to care for marble, granite, travertine, and other types of natural stone and quartz surfaces. Give us a call at 1-800-475-STONE (7866) if you have any questions. If you’d like regular updates on how to care for the natural stone in your home, sign up for our monthly newsletter today.