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Granite has a beautiful and timeless look to it, which makes it a very popular material for kitchen countertops. In addition to its aesthetic appeal, granite can also be an attractive choice because it’s a very hard substance, which makes it resistant to heat and scratches. But that doesn’t mean that granite countertops are damage-proof! Granite may be hard, but it is also very porous, which means it needs to be properly sealed and cared for to avoid damage and discoloration.
The key to keeping granite countertops beautiful is to use the right cleaner. And you’re in luck, because today I’m sharing how to make a simple homemade cleaner that’s perfect for granite countertops! (I don’t personally have any granite countertops in my home, but luckily a friend offered to let us “borrow” her countertops for a few hours so we could take these photos. Thank you Michelle!)
But before we get to that recipe for my granite cleaner, I thought I’d also share a few “do’s and don’ts” for properly maintaining those beautiful stone counters.
Related: These Are The 7 Best Spray Cleaners You Can Make At Home
Don’ts For Granite And Other Types Of Natural Stone
1. DON’T Use Harsh Cleaners
Cleaners with ingredients like lemon, lime, vinegar, ammonia, or bleach can damage the sealant on your countertops. If the sealant wears away, your countertops will be susceptible to staining, discoloration, “etching,” and other damage.
2. DON’T Use Abrasive Cleaners Or Tools
Gritty cleaners and heavy-duty scrub brushes may be handy for cleaning other surfaces in your home, but they’re too harsh for sealed granite. The abrasion will wear down the sealant just like acidic and harsh cleaners will.
Do’s For Granite And Other Types Of Natural Stone
1. DO Make Sure Your Countertops Are Sealed
Your granite was likely sealed when it was installed, but some kinds of granite need to be resealed at regular intervals. (A simple way to test if your countertop is sealed is to leave a few drops of water on the countertop. The water should bead up, but if it soaks into the counter over time, it’s probably time to reseal your counters.)
2. DO Use Microfiber Cloths
Microfiber is very gentle, which is great for stone. It’s also highly effective at buffing away streaks, so your countertops will sparkle!
So now that we all know a bit more about how to care for granite, let’s move on to that homemade cleaner I promised you! This is a gentle cleaner that still packs enough degreasing power to tackle tough and sticky messes, and it couldn’t be easier to make! It will leave your granite so clean and shiny that you’ll want to keep your shades handy to block the glare! ;-) (Works on marble too!)
How To Make A DIY Granite Cleaner
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup of rubbing alcohol
- 3 drops of Dawn dish soap
- Water
Directions:
Pour the rubbing alcohol into a 16 oz spray bottle. Add a few drops of dish soap, then fill the rest of the bottle with water.
Screw the top onto your spray bottle and give it a few shakes to mix.
Spray the mixture onto your countertops, and use a clean microfiber cloth to clean and buff it dry. Your countertops will have a nice, clean shine! (And bonus – it works well on appliances too!
Keep This Recipe Handy With A Set Of Spray Bottle Labels!
It’ll be even easier to make more granite cleaner with a set of my cleaning recipe spray bottle labels. With these stick-on labels (designed for use on dark-colored bottles), you’ll never have to go searching for the recipe ever again!
The cleaning labels feature seven labels printed with the name and recipe for my favorite DIY cleaning sprays, including an all-purpose cleaning spray, my favorite window and mirror cleaner, dusting spray, and, of course, my granite cleaner.
OGT readers love these labels! Here’s what just three of them had to say:
I didn’t know I needed these until they arrived! I love that I have the “recipe” on the label and don’t have to hunt for it online. SO glad I got these….you should, too!
Nancy
Thank you for creating these – they are so helpful. Definitely not something I wanted to have to DIY—it would have taken me forever! Such great quality. I’m confident these will hold up for years.
Jeanette
In the midst of a busy day it’s always so convenient to have the directions to make a fresh bottle of cleaning spray right on the bottle. I love anything that makes my life simple but more efficient.
Yvonne
Let me know how this DIY Granite Cleaner works for you! As for me, I’ll keep this post handy for when I get my own granite countertops… someday! ;-)
Do you have any tips or tricks for keeping granite countertops clean and in good shape?
