Estimated read time3 min read

You spent ages deciding on just the right color and pattern for your granite countertops. Now, you want to keep them looking as luxurious as they did the day they were installed. Granite is an extremely resilient stone, but it still requires care. You should put down heavy cookware gently to avoid chips to your counters' edges or corners, where they're the most vulnerable. And you should know how to clean the counters properly and keep the granite sealed so it doesn't absorb stains in the first place. Think about it in terms of two types of maintenance:

  1. What to do every day to clean and shine your granite
  2. What to do to protect your counters over the life of your kitchen

Here are the how-tos:

Step 1: Day-to-Day Care

Kitchens are meant for messes, and granite, thank goodness, is forgiving—it has a protective sealant layer already applied before your counters are even installed, so it's slow to soak up stains. Still, you should wipe up anything acidic quickly. Liquids like vinegar, wine, and coffee could potentially leave a mark, especially if your stone is light in color.


Weiman Quartz & Stone cleaner spray bottle with UV Shield Technology for cleaning and protecting surfaces.
Courtesy of Weiman

By the same token, you don't want to clean up those spills with a product that contains harsh chemicals. Glass cleaners, for instance, may contain ammonia, which can dull stone. Instead, choose products formulated especially for granite and other stone surfaces. Weiman has put decades of research and testing into developing its stone-specific products, such as Weiman Quartz & Stone 2-in-1 Clean + Protect, which wipes away daily spills and spatters without damage or streaks.


Two bottles of Weiman Granite & Stone cleaner with a cleaning cloth.
Courtesy of Weiman


For a thorough, edge-to-edge wipe-down at the end of the day, use Weiman Granite & Stone 3-in-1 (Clean + Polish + Protect) to remove food spills, grease spatters, and water marks. Designed by experts specifically for stone, it contains no acidic or abrasive ingredients that could compromise your surface. It also polishes as it cleans and leaves behind a nearly undetectable layer of protection, so you're actually making your counters more stain-resistant every time you use it. Spray it on; wipe in a circular motion with a soft cloth; then go over the surface one more time with a clean, dry cloth to buff it to a shine.


Step 2: Once-a-Year Resealing


Granite is naturally porous, which is why the manufacturing process includes that pre-installation protective layer. Now it's up to you to properly maintain the seal, which will begin to gradually break down with the daily wear and tear a kitchen gets. You should reseal the entire surface at least once a year—consider six-month intervals if your kitchen gets a lot of hard use.

How will you know when it's time? You can test the seal by sprinkling a little water across the countertop. Wait about 15 minutes. If the water sits on top of the stone, then your seal is intact. If the water sinks in and creates dark spots on the stone, it’s time to reseal.


Weiman Granite and Stone Sealer spray bottle with 4-in-1 protection features and a sleek design for countertop maintenance.
Courtesy of Weiman

A professional can do the job, but it's simple to handle yourself. Use a penetrating sealer, like Weiman Granite & Stone Sealer 4-in-1. It actually gets into the stone's microscopic pores, forming a chemical barrier that helps prevent stains from being absorbed. Simply spray the sealer across the entire surface until it's evenly wet. Allow it to sit for five minutes in order to penetrate, then wipe off any excess product in a circular motion with a clean cloth. It’s important to allow four to six hours for the surface to dry completely. For extra protection, apply a second coat. Wait the same four to six hours, then your counter is ready for food prep.

A few extra tips to get the most out of sealing with Weiman Granite & Stone Sealer:

  • Seal high-use surfaces—like around your cooktop or the area where your kids eat their meals—more often.
  • Don't forget to seal under the lips of the sink.
  • Countertop edges wear out more quickly than flat expanses. Use two applications there.
  • Granite with a smooth, honed finish is more porous and may need resealing more often than a less-porous glossy finish.

With simple daily maintenance and a little extra attention once a year, you'll keep your granite counters streak-free, stain-free, and properly sealed so they’re ready to handle whatever kitchen adventures you cook up.