Does Granite need to be sealed?

[DawnCt1]

I have two areas with Uba Tuba (dk green/black) granite and they don't get a lot of heat, stain, cooking exposure. I didn't think that granite required sealing although I know that marble does. Does it need to be sealed? I have had it for 10 years but I guess its never too late.

 

[JennSaint]

We just built a house and the kitchen guy said granite should be treated every 6 weeks. We opted to put Cambria in our kitchen instead. I bet if you do a google search you'll get some feedback.

 

[QT Pooh]

Yes, we seal ours every year - otherwise it can stain.

 

[aprilgail2]

The company that we got it from said not to bother sealing it...once you seal it you have to continue to do so...I have had everything on ours including sauce and oil and it has never stained.

 

[kldmom2000]

My DH owns a corian/solid-surface countertop fabrication company and one surface he won't deal with is granite because it is porous. He says that if the water no longer "beads up" on your granite counter, it's time to reseal it.

 

[DawnCt1]

The company that we got it from said not to bother sealing it...once you seal it you have to continue to do so...I have had everything on ours including sauce and oil and it has never stained.

What color is your granite?

 

[damo]

We have brown and black speckled granite and have never sealed it. We have had it for five years on our countertop and backsplash. It looks as good as new.

 

[Melrosgirl]

Sometimes the problem with unsealed granite is that you can't see what's "growing" in your counters. KWIM? Bacteria, germs, etc. So it may look fine, but it's just a germ haven.

 

[damo]

Sometimes the problem with unsealed granite is that you can't see what's "growing" in your counters. KWIM? Bacteria, germs, etc. So it may look fine, but it's just a germ haven.

Then I should be dead! We researched this pretty heavily when deciding on a counter surface and granite came out on top of our list.

Studies have shown that granite is second only to stainless steel in not harbouring germs and that a simple cleaning with vinegar kills any harmful bacteria.

http://www.mnvalleygranite.com/granitemyths.html

http://www.marbleandmore.com/news/_DETTAGLIOENG.ASP?IDART=1328&LINGUA=ENG

http://www.marbleandmore.com/news/_DETTAGLIOENG.ASP?IDART=1741&LINGUA=ENG

http://www.countertopcompany.com/articles/9myths.htm

 

[m&m's mom]

OK, I thought a MAJOR rule w/ granite is to never use vinegar on it. It is supposedly too harsh. I use good ole' warm soap and water and we are all still alive.

 

[Melrosgirl]

OK, I thought a MAJOR rule w/ granite is to never use vinegar on it. It is supposedly too harsh. I use good ole' warm soap and water and we are all still alive.

right and not many people I know use vinegar to clean their countertops. Just seal it and you'll have no problems.