How to Clean Granite Countertops (and 9 Cleaners to Avoid)

A granite countertop is one feature that every kitchen needs for that distinctive elegant look. Whether you are opting for that timeless classic theme or that stylish modern vibe, granite offers endless possibilities in terms of design, as it is available in a wide variety of patterns and a broad spectrum of colors. Below you’ll find out how to clean granite countertops to ensure they continue looking beautiful for years to come. Granite is a popular choice for countertops because of its resilience and durability. It can withstand the wear and tear of everyday use. It is less porous than other natural solid stone surfaces such as marble.

It is also scratch resistant and is not sensitive to the heat of pots and pans. Contrary to popular belief, granite is not that hard to maintain. It only requires little effort to clean and most of the materials you need can be easily found in your kitchen pantry. Imagine how much you can save on not having to buy those expensive special cleaners.

“Granite is one of the easiest to care for stones you can use in your home. Most of the granite restoration calls we receive are for countertops that are 10 to 15 years old, when they become dull around sink and work areas.” — Galen Roth, Owner, Roth Restoration (Charleston, SC), via the Natural Stone Institute

Here are some important tips you need to know to keep your granite countertop squeaky clean and streak-free:

Preventive daily maintenance is KEY.  As soon as you see spills on your granite counter, wipe them off immediately. Use a soft cloth to gently dab the surface to avoid the liquid from spreading. Do not let soda, wine, or even water spills sit on your counter for too long so they don’t turn into stains. Granite may be scratch resistant, but also remember that it is permeable to liquid substances.

How Often to Seal Granite

The purpose of sealing your granite is to help your stone resist spills, stains and dirt. But here is where a lot of granite advice gets it wrong. There is no universal sealing schedule. It depends entirely on your stone.

Dense granites like Absolute Black may never need sealing at all. More porous stones like Juparana Columbo can take four to six applications before they’re properly sealed. And a quality penetrating sealer, cared for with stone-safe cleaners, can last up to 10 years.

The Natural Stone Institute makes another point worth remembering: sealers are technically impregnators. They make granite more stain resistant, not stain proof. Some stones don’t need one at all. When in doubt, ask your fabricator what your slab needs, and run the water test below twice a year to check where things stand.

You can find granite counters that come from the factory with a resin treatment already applied. While others may require sealing the granite yourself periodically. Those without a factory sealant may need to be sealed by the homeowner every year or two.

The Water Test: Is Your Granite Still Sealed?

One way to check if your granite is still sealed is the water test, and it takes about 30 minutes.

Some stone pros run a faster version with hot water, checking at 10 to 20 minutes, since hot water absorbs into stone more quickly. Either way works. And if you’re the cautious type, go ahead and reseal even after a passed test. You can’t over-seal granite, so the worst outcome is extra protection.

On the other hand, here are some natural cleaning solutions you can use:

Daily Cleaning Routine

Daily Solution: Use this for day to day maintenance 

• What you’ll need: warm water, gentle dish soap and a soft cloth
• What to do: Just mix some dish soap with warm water. Wet your cloth and gently wipe over the countertop. Use another cloth to dry the surface.
• Stay away from citrus based cleaners while cleaning granite. Try to avoid using lemon, orange, vinegar and bleach based products on granite counters as it can damage their seal.

One thing worth knowing about dish soap. It works in a pinch, but it’s not the best daily habit. Soap contains fatty acids that slowly build a film on the stone, and that film is what causes streaks and a dull finish over time.

“Soap has a fatty acid that leaves a greasy film, which can dull or leave streaks on stone surfaces.” — Brian Kornet, Owner, Fabra-Clean (New York), via the Natural Stone Institute

If you wipe your counters every day, a pH-neutral stone cleaner is worth the few extra dollars. Sticking with dish soap? Use a drop or two, not a squeeze, then rinse well and dry with a soft cloth.

Hard Water Spots Around the Faucet

Water that sits around the faucet doesn’t just evaporate and disappear. It calcifies into a white crust, and once that buildup takes hold it’s stubborn. The fix is boring but effective: wipe the faucet area dry every day, and hit it with a neutral cleaner once a week.

Already have water spots or rings? The Natural Stone Institute recommends buffing them gently with dry 0000-grade steel wool. That’s the super fine stuff, and used dry it won’t scratch polished granite. If the buildup has gone unchecked for years, it may take a professional to restore the shine.

Removing Stains With a Poultice

The baking soda trick you’ve probably heard about is real, but here’s the part most guides skip: it only works on some stains. The poultice has to match the stain, and the Natural Stone Institute’s stain removal guide is clear on which goes with which.

For oil-based stains like grease, cooking oil, and cosmetics, mix baking soda and water into a paste about the consistency of peanut butter. For organic stains like coffee, tea, wine, and fruit, baking soda alone won’t cut it. Use a powdered poultice material mixed with 12% hydrogen peroxide instead, the strength sold for hair bleaching.

Application is the same either way. Spread the paste 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick, extending about an inch past the edges of the stain. Cover it with plastic wrap, tape the edges down, and walk away for 24 to 48 hours. As the poultice dries, it pulls the stain up out of the stone. Stubborn stains can take up to five rounds, so don’t give up after one.

Metal and rust stains are the exception. They’re the hardest to remove, and deep ones may be permanent. That’s the point where calling a stone professional beats another weekend of experiments.

How to Disinfect Granite

Skip the bleach wipes. For granite, plain 70% isopropyl alcohol is the safe disinfectant, and the method matters.

Use it straight from the bottle. Don’t dilute it. Alcohol needs to be in roughly the 60 to 90% range to actually kill germs, so mixing 70% alcohol half-and-half with water drops it to about 35%, too weak to disinfect. The only time dilution makes sense is if you’re starting with 91% alcohol, where a 50:50 mix with water lands you in the right range.

Spray it on, let it sit for 3 to 5 minutes, then rinse with water and dry with a microfiber cloth. Rougher dishcloths can scratch the finish, so keep one microfiber cloth dedicated to the counters.

Cleaners to Avoid on Granite

Half the battle with granite is just knowing what not to spray on it. Here’s the cheat sheet.

Granite Cleaning FAQ

Can I use Windex or all-purpose cleaners on granite?

Better not to make a habit of it. Most glass sprays are ammonia based, and frequent use gradually dulls the seal. A stone-safe cleaner does the same job without the slow damage.

How often should granite be sealed?

It depends on your stone. Dense granites may never need it, porous ones need it more often. Skip the guesswork and run the water test twice a year. If water darkens the stone within 30 minutes, reseal.

Can I use Clorox wipes to disinfect granite?

Skip them. Most disinfecting wipes rely on bleach or citric acid, and both are hard on the sealer. Straight 70% isopropyl alcohol, left on for 3 to 5 minutes and rinsed, disinfects without the damage.

Will hot pans damage granite?

The stone itself handles heat well. The sealer is the weak link, so trivets are still the smart move. It’s cheap insurance for an expensive counter.

Does granite stain easily?

Less easily than marble, but it’s still a porous natural stone. A sealed counter resists stains, it doesn’t refuse them. That’s why wiping spills quickly matters even on well-sealed granite.

Also keep in mind that when cleaning your granite countertop, avoid using abrasives because hard scrubbing tools may harm the surface. It is also never a good idea to use acidic substances such as vinegar, lemon or bleach as cleaning agents because it may weaken the granite’s sealant over time. For more like this see our article about the different granite colors.

To showcase highly specific designs, some images on this website use advanced AI-generation software to illustrate ideas and room inspiration. See our editorial policy to learn more.