Granite countertops

Cathy P
by Cathy P
What do I use to clean granite countertops? I had asked the installer, and he said"just soap and water". If I were to use Clorox clean up or Windex, would it ruin the finish?
  5 answers
  • Sherrie Sherrie on Dec 10, 2013
    Absolutely! It is porous.No Bleach, No ammonia, nothing acidic. Use just a tiny bit of dish soap and water. Rinse it, dry it. You could also buy a cleaner made for granite. If you use to much soap it will look cloudy so always rinse it. The key to the shine is buffing it dry.. Windex as ammonia in it. So please don't use it.
  • Kimberly A Kimberly A on Dec 11, 2013
    Sherrie is absolutely right. I use a bit of Dawn and water to get mine clean. However, I have also used the Pledge multi surface which includes granite and it works great for cleaning and polish. It's added benefit is that I can also clean/polish the surrounding cabinetry while I'm at it. It is of course more expensive than dish soap.
  • Cathy, Great advice from both Sherrie and Kimberly. Some of the harsher cleaners can etch the stone. Some of the less harsh substances (like simple soap) won't damage the stone but they can prematurely break down the sealant used to seal the stone, which opens the door for staining and the like. Excessive scrubbing, even with just water, will eventually wear down the sealant, so heed your installer's advice on how often to seal the product as well. Your granite tops weren't inexpensive, so I recommend spending a little more for products designed specifically for granite tops. Otherwise, if you use anything else and have an issue, the installer's can balk at making any repairs. Enjoy your new tops. Tim
  • Debbie Debbie on Dec 13, 2013
    1/4 cup dish soap. 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol. 2 1/2 cups water in a spray bottle
  • Chloe Crabtree Chloe Crabtree on Jul 13, 2023

    Clean your natural stone countertop with a mild kitchen cleaner.

    1. Make a solution of warm water and mild dish soap. ...
    2. Dip a soft cloth into the solution and wring it out until just damp.
    3. Wipe the countertop in small circular motions with light to medium pressure.
    4. If you encounter bits of dried-on food, apply more pressure.