How to Clean Granite Countertops
What You'll Need
- Few drops
- Spray bottle
- 1/4 cup
- 2-3
- 1 bottle
Step-by-Step Method
Mix a few drops of pH-neutral dish soap with warm water in a spray bottle. Spray the countertop and wipe with a microfiber cloth. Wipe dry with a second cloth. This is your daily routine.
Mix 1/4 cup isopropyl alcohol with 1 cup water in a spray bottle. Spray the countertop and let sit 3-5 minutes. Wipe clean. Alcohol disinfects without damaging the granite sealant.
For oil-based stains (cooking oil, grease): make a paste of baking soda and water, apply to the stain, cover with plastic wrap, tape down the edges, and leave for 24 hours. The paste draws the oil out. For water-based stains (coffee, juice): use the same method but with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide.
Drop a few tablespoons of water on the granite surface. Wait 10 minutes. If the water absorbs (you see a dark spot), the sealant needs reapplication. If the water beads up, the seal is intact.
Clean the countertop thoroughly and let dry completely. Apply granite sealer according to the product directions (usually spray, let absorb 5 minutes, wipe excess, let cure 24 hours). Do not use the countertop for food prep during curing.
- Never use vinegar, lemon juice, or any acidic cleaner on granite (etches the surface and strips the seal)
- Never use bleach or ammonia-based cleaners on granite
- Do not use generic all-purpose cleaners (most contain acids or alkalis that damage granite)
- Do not sit on granite countertops (granite is strong in compression but can crack from point loads at unsupported overhangs)
- Never place hot pots directly on granite without a trivet (thermal shock can cause cracks)
- The simpler your granite cleaning routine, the better. Soap and water for daily, alcohol for weekly, and that is genuinely all you need.
- Use coasters under glasses. Condensation rings can stain unsealed or weakly sealed granite.
- Clean up acidic spills (wine, tomato sauce, citrus juice) immediately. Even 5 minutes of contact with acid can etch polished granite.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Windex and most glass cleaners contain ammonia, which strips the granite sealant over time. This makes the granite more porous and susceptible to staining. Use only pH-neutral soap or isopropyl alcohol solutions.
The water test: pour a few tablespoons of water on the surface and wait 10 minutes. If the water is absorbed (leaving a dark spot that disappears as it dries), the seal needs refreshing. If the water beads on the surface, the seal is intact. Test annually in high-use areas.
Sources & Methodology
Granite care recommendations based on Natural Stone Institute (formerly Marble Institute of America) guidelines. pH-neutral cleaning requirement due to granite sealant chemistry. Poultice stain removal is the industry-standard method for natural stone.
Last reviewed: March 20, 2026