The key to keeping your marble countertop looking great for years is making sure it’s properly sealed. By following a few straightforward steps in the sealing process every few months, you can preserve that glossy appearance and protect against scratches and stains. However, remember that sealing is most effective when done correctly. In this blog, we will guide you through a detailed procedure on how to seal marble countertops.

How Often Should You Seal Your Countertops?

It’s worth noting that when you’re picking out marble for your countertop, marble tends to be a bit more porous compared to granite and quartz. Because of its higher porosity, marble needs more frequent sealing than other stones. As experts suggest, marble slabs must be sealed at least once every three months for better protection of the countertop. Frequent and regular sealing of the marble countertop will prevent the stone from staining and scratching, enhancing the lifespan of the marble for decades.

On the other hand, carrying out some seal-checking tests can also help you determine how often to seal marble countertops. You can perform any of the two tests, the water test and the oil test, to check for the necessity of sealing your marble slabs.

The Water Test

If you use your countertop on a regular basis, it may require more frequent sealing than expected. Therefore, it is better to do the water test every other month for certainty. With just some few easy steps you can help determine the condition of your marble seal.

The water test procedure:

Pour one tablespoon of water on different spots on your marble countertop throughout the surface.
Let the water sit on the counter surface for 10 minutes.
After 10 minutes, observe the spots on the marble where you poured water.
If the water spot darkens, it means the marble is absorbing the water and requires sealing.

The Oil Test

Here’s another trick to test if your marble countertop is well-sealed, and it’s as easy as ever. Just get some mineral oil, which you can probably find in your kitchen, or you can pick it up from your local store.

The oil test procedure:

Drop a few drops of mineral oil across the surface of your marble countertop at different points.
Let the mineral oil sit on the marble surface for about 10 minutes.
After 10 minutes, wipe the oil drops off the surface using a dry microfiber cloth or a paper towel.
While wiping the oil drops, observe if the oil has left any spots on the surface.
If you notice dark stains on the marble surface, it suggests that the marble requires sealing.

Things You’ll Need

Now that you have done the sealing tests, it is time to get the sealing essentials before you start your work. This step is important because the products you use for sealing determine the quality of the seal on your marble countertop. Also, having all the necessary sealing items at your disposal will make your work easier and uninterrupted. Therefore, before getting into how to seal marble countertops, make sure to get the sealing gear ready.

Things required for sealing the countertops:

Marble countertop cleaner
Microfiber cloths or paper towel
Marble sealer of your choice (penetrating or impregnating sealers recommended)
Gloves and face masks for chemical protection

Types of Sealants Available in the Market

Before diving into the steps, there are a few things you should know about marble sealants. There are three types of sealants for marble countertops available in the market. They are:

Penetrating/ impregnating sealers: This sealer seeps into the pores of the marble and provides a long-lasting protective layer.
Surface sealers: This is either a solvent-based or water-based sealer. It works by coating the outer surface of marble.
Enhancing sealers: Along with protection from damage, this sealer is specially designed to enhance the glossy appearance of your marble countertop. It emphasizes harnessing the look of your countertop.

The type of sealant you want to use for your countertop depends on what result you want. If you want to focus more on maintaining the shine and enriching the color of the marble, you can go for an enhancing sealer. If you want protection against stains and scratches primarily, you can go for the other type of sealers as mentioned above. On that note, penetrating sealers can be a better option for marble countertops in the kitchen, which are susceptible to wear and tear due to frequent use.

Steps to Seal Marble Countertops

Never sealed your countertop before? Do not know how to reseal marble countertops? We have got you covered with some of the simplest steps to help you revamp your marble countertops. The procedure elaborated below on how to seal marble countertops will guide you through marble countertop sealing effortlessly. So, get ready to restore the original look of your countertop in no time.

Step 1: Put on Safety Gear

Before beginning the sealing process, put on the face mask and gloves for protection against chemicals. You can use any facial mask and any plastic or rubber gloves for protection. The mask will prevent any chemical agents sprayed on the countertop from entering your lungs, while gloves are an essential protection for your hands.

Step 2: Clean the Countertop

If the marble is sealed with dirt on its surface, the sealing won’t be as effective. So, cleaning before sealing is a must. When cleaning your marble countertops, it’s essential to use a cleaner with a neutral pH level of around seven and steer clear of harsh chemicals like bleach. If you’re unsure about how to go about cleaning, here’s a simple step-by-step guide for you:

First, grab your marble cleaner and spray or pour the cleaner solution across the surface of the countertop evenly.
Grab a clean, dry cloth and give it a good soak with water.
Use a wet cloth to wipe away the cleaner from the surface.
Make sure you rub the cloth throughout the surface for even cleaning.
Wipe the surface again with a dry cloth or paper towel to get rid of residual water on the surface.

Step 3: Apply the Sealer

First, read the instructions written in the sealer bottle before applying it to the surface. It will help you understand how to seal marble with a specific product. Then, you can pour or spray the sealer on the recently cleaned dry countertop, creating an even layer across the surface. Now, let the layer of sealer sit on the countertop for 5 minutes.

Step 4: Remove the Access Sealer

After 5 minutes of the first application of the sealer, you can remove the access sealer. Grab a clean, dry cloth and slowly clean the edges of the countertop to remove any unwanted sealer.

Step 5: Re-apply the Sealer

Now, we move on to the second coat of applying the sealer. By following the same procedure, we will apply the second coat on our dry countertop. Then, you must let your countertop rest for about 24 hours so it can absorb the sealer properly and get ready for all the heavy-duty baking and cooking.

Do’s and Don’ts of Sealing Marble Countertops

As beautiful as marble countertops are, they also require some maintenance to preserve their beauty. There are some do’s and don’ts you must follow as a marble countertop owner.

Do’s:

If you spill anything on your marble countertops, make sure to clean it immediately to prevent any damage.
Always use a soft or light sponge or cloth to clean any mess on your marble countertops.
Use protective barriers under items like glasses and cups to prevent liquid from spilling on your countertops.

Don’ts:

Don’t use cleaning products that are not formulated to clean marbles.
Don’t use acidic liquids (i.e., vinegar, ammonia, or citrus) for cleaning the countertops.
Do not sit or step on the marble countertops.
Avoid placing stuff like hair products, perfumes, toothpaste, nail products, creams, lotions, and colognes on marble surfaces to prevent damage.

If you need any assistance with your marble countertops, Granite Karma is your go-to spot. With years of experience, we can easily fix any issues related to your marble countertops and restore their functionality as well as appeal.

Conclusion

In conclusion, sealing marble countertops does require a lot of attention & effort. If you’re not sure about sealing your countertop yourself, you can trust Granite Karma. We’ve been in the business for years, and we truly know the ins and outs of marble countertop care. When it comes to sealing your countertops to safeguard against scratches and other harm, you can count on us to get the job done brilliantly. You can rest easy knowing your marble countertops are in capable hands. Let us transform your marble countertops to a new height of perfection. Contact us today at 602-354-9262.

How to Seal Marble Countertops?