Limestone Sealer & Cleaner: How to Seal and Clean Limestone

Limestone is a calcium carbonate stone, ranging from soft, pale French and Portuguese limestones to dense Australian varieties used in floors, pool surrounds, cladding and benchtops. It is porous and acid-sensitive: wine, citrus, vinegar and acidic cleaners can etch (dull) the surface, and oils and food can soak in and stain.

Why seal limestone?

A penetrating sealer helps reduce staining from oil, food and grime and makes daily cleaning easier, while letting the stone breathe. Sealing won't prevent etching from acids, so wipe spills quickly and only use pH neutral or non-acidic products on limestone.

Which limestone sealer should I use?

  • Natural look: Aqua-Seal Gold+. Allow about 110 mL/m² per coat on honed, flamed, tumbled and textured finishes and about 70 mL/m² on polished limestone, minimum 2 coats.
  • Colour enhanced: Enhance'N'Seal, about 110 mL/m² per coat on honed, flamed and tumbled finishes (70–100 mL/m² on polished), minimum 2 coats.
  • Soft or powdery limestone: Condense Plus consolidator, 1 coat at about 110 mL/m² (70 on polished).
  • New installations: pre-seal with Ultra-Block or Condense Plus (1 coat), or six-sided/dip seal to help reduce efflorescence, picture framing and staining from adhesive and grout.
  • Small areas and touch-ups: Spray'N'Seal aerosol.
  • Benchtops: clean daily with Refresh+ or AquaGuard.

Coverage is approximate and varies with porosity, finish, weather and application method. Our Product Selector & Calculator gives a quantity for your area.

How to clean and seal limestone

  1. Deep clean: use Stone Wash+ on floors or Stone Gel+ on walls and showers. For heavy grime and grease, use XtremeClean+; outdoors, Active Plus helps lift leaf, mould and tannin stains.
  2. Treat stains: Rust Away is non-acidic and suits acid-sensitive stone. Use Poultice Plus for oil and grease. For grout haze, use Haze Away or MicroScrub. Never use acid-based products such as OxiTreat+ or Oxi Gel+ on limestone.
  3. Rinse and dry thoroughly before sealing.
  4. Seal: apply with a Sealer Applicator, remove all excess within a few minutes, then apply a second coat.
  5. Maintain: mop with EzyClean+ or Boost Plus, both pH neutral.

Always test a small, inconspicuous area first. See also limestone sealers & cleaners or Shop by surface.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best sealer for limestone?

For a natural look, Aqua-Seal Gold+ is our premium Professional Grade penetrating sealer. For a richer, darker look, use Enhance'N'Seal. Test a small area first to confirm the finish.

Does sealing prevent limestone from etching?

No sealer can make limestone acid-proof. Sealing helps reduce staining, but acids such as wine, lemon and vinegar can still dull the surface, so wipe spills promptly.

Can I use vinegar or an acid cleaner on limestone?

No. Limestone is acid-sensitive. Use pH neutral EzyClean+ or Boost Plus for routine cleaning and Stone Wash+ for deep cleaning.

How do I remove rust marks from limestone?

Use Rust Away, a non-acidic rust, iron and fertiliser stain remover suitable for acid-sensitive surfaces. Test first and repeat if needed.

How much sealer do I need for a limestone floor?

Allow about 110 mL per m² per coat on honed or tumbled limestone and 2 coats, so roughly 2.2 L for 10 m². Polished limestone uses less, around 70 mL per m² per coat.

Questions? Our team can help: call +61 2 9521-4000 or email support@sealersonline.com.au. Australian made at Kurnell, NSW, with fast shipping Australia-wide.