The most effective granite countertop care method is simply to avoid damage which will be easy to do now that you know all the do s and don ts of cleaning granite.
Unsealed granite care.
Unsealed stone absorbs liquid quickly which can become a problem in a kitchen or bathroom where countertops are bound to get wet.
While granite is a very hard surface and less porous than marble unsealed or weakly sealed granite will soak up oils spills and stains.
With quartz water stains aren t so common dark spots that emerge on marble and limestone after water is left to dry atop unsealed surfaces are less likely to occur on granite but the potential is there nonetheless.
Sealing helps liquids roll off the countertop instead of soak into it decreasing the risk of staining.
If it beads up you have a secure seal.
This is assuming normal room temperature drying methods.
Yet surprisingly you had observed that the water seeps through the granite surface.
Before beginning remove all items such as flower pots vases and other decorations from the area you wish to seal.
You might think something as natural as water wouldn t be a problem but it is.
Believe it or not your countertop is not properly sealed.
It s important to make sure your granite countertop is sealed.
Typically it takes about 12 hours for granite to dry prior to applying sealer.
When granite and other types of natural stone are properly sealed they repel liquids and prevent them from permeating into the stone.
To prevent these water and oil particles from penetrating on your surface use a granite sealer.
Usually it comes in different forms such as spray or liquid type.
Be sure the surface is clean and completely dry before sealing.
First up in caring for your granite countertops is to understand the importance of sealing.
Take care to hit any areas that have come in contact with spills or liquid materials directly with the stone cleaner spray.
To check whether your granite is sealed leave a few drops of water on the surface.
It will soak up water and can stain if you are not careful to wipe up spills quickly.
But also it s good to know that if any damage does occur like a stain chip or crack it can usually be removed or repaired.