A professional way to clean granite countertops

Granite countertops are a beautiful luxury to have in your kitchen or other areas of your home, but it’s crucial to clean them regularly to help maintain their quality and longevity. Unlike laminate or marble, granite countertops need to be cleaned in a specific way to prevent any damage. 

Regularly maintaining your granite countertops is crucial to prevent stains, scratches, and dullness. Plus, keeping up with maintenance is the best way to preserve your investment. Below, we go over everything you need to know on how to clean granite countertops the right way. 

Before Getting Started

It’s important to clean granite countertops because they are often in kitchens, and that means you’re most likely to handle raw fruit, vegetables, and meat on them—and you don’t want harmful bacteria to spread. 

Granite countertops have a stone sealant applied to them to prevent any damage, but many household cleaners—even some with natural ingredients—can strip them away and leave the countertops vulnerable to permanent stains,” explains Pat @ Pat’s Cleaning Services . “Abrasive cleaners such as bleach, ammonia, window cleaners, and all-purpose cleaners should never be used on granite countertops.”

Pat, a professional cleaner and the owner of Pat’s Cleaning Services agrees and suggests opting for gentle, pH-neutral cleaners instead. “These will help to ensure the stone's integrity,” she explains. “Cleaners such as dish soap and water, or products made specially for stone and granite, are best.”

When cleaning any surface, it’s important to test out the solution you’re using on a small area before applying it to the entire granite countertop. This will help prevent any damage that might be caused by the solution. “It’s also important to make sure you have proper ventilation in the room when using any cleaning products,” explains Pat.

Additionally, Pat recommends using gloves to protect your hands and skin from cleaning solutions. 

What You'll Need

Soft cloths or sponges

• Mild dish soap

• Isopropyl alcohol (no

• more than 70%)

• Water

• Bucket

• Gloves (optional)

• Ventilation (if using isopropyl alcohol)

Method 1: Warm Water and Mild Dish Soap

1. Mix warm water with about one tablespoon of mild dish soap in a bucket. Stein prefers Dawn, as it cuts through grease and grime easily.

2. Dip a soft microfiber cloth or soft sponge into the solution and wring out excess water. The rag should be barely damp, as you don’t want to oversaturate the grout or stone. 

3. Wipe down the granite countertops, focusing on areas with spills or stains, rubbing in circular motions. 

4. Grab a fresh cloth and dip it in clean water to wipe the countertops again. This helps to rinse and remove any soap residue.

5. Dry the countertops with a clean, dry cloth to prevent water spots.