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Have you ever looked at your beautiful granite countertops and wondered why they never seem to look as clean and gleaming as they did when they were first installed? You’re not alone. While granite countertops are gorgeous and durable, keeping them looking their best can be surprisingly tricky. And with granite being such a significant investment in your home, the last thing you want is to accidentally damage it with the wrong cleaner.
I hear from readers all the time about their granite cleaning frustrations – cloudy finishes, stubborn streaks, and the worry that they might be slowly damaging their beautiful stone surfaces with harsh cleaners.
But I’ve got good news! Once you understand how to take care of granite properly, it’s actually really simple to keep it looking clean and beautiful. You don’t need a fancy specialty product or anything expensive to do it. Just a few basic ingredients you probably already have at home.
Now, I’ll admit—I don’t have granite countertops myself, so I called in a favor. My sweet friend Michelle let us “borrow” her kitchen for the afternoon so we could take photos for this post. (Thank you, Michelle!) Her counters were the perfect backdrop to show you just how well this DIY granite cleaner works.
Related: These Are The 7 Best Spray Cleaners You Can Make At Home
How To Make A DIY Granite Cleaner
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup of rubbing alcohol
- 3 drops of Dawn dish soap
- Water
- 16 oz spray bottle
Directions
Pour the rubbing alcohol into the 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.
How to Use
To use, simply spray your countertops lightly and wipe with a soft microfiber cloth, then buff dry. You’ll notice right away how quickly it cuts through fingerprints and food residue without leaving any streaks behind.
Each ingredient serves a specific purpose: the alcohol cuts through grease and evaporates quickly for a streak-free shine, while also providing mild disinfecting properties. The small amount of dish soap helps lift away dirt and grime without leaving residue. Water dilutes the mixture to the perfect strength for daily use without harming your stone’s protective seal.
Cleaning vs. Disinfecting
This cleaner does offer some disinfecting power thanks to the rubbing alcohol. Alcohol (at 70% or higher) is effective at killing many types of germs and bacteria, including those that can come from raw meat like salmonella or E. coli.
But here’s the catch: disinfecting doesn’t happen instantly. For alcohol to really do its job, it needs a little dwell time—meaning it should sit on the surface for at least 30 seconds to 1 minute before you wipe it away. That gives it time to break down bacteria on contact.
That said, I wouldn’t rely on this cleaner alone for bigger messes, especially if you’re dealing with something like raw chicken juice. In those cases, your best bet is to:
- Wipe up the mess right away with paper towels or a clean cloth.
- Wash the area with hot, soapy water to remove grease and proteins.
- Then spray the DIY granite cleaner, let it sit for a minute or so, and wipe clean.
This method gives you the benefit of cleaning first, then disinfecting, which is exactly what the CDC recommends for handling food-related messes at home.
While the basic recipe works beautifully on its own, you can customize it to suit your needs. If you don’t have rubbing alcohol on hand, vodka can work in a pinch. Any grease-fighting dish soap will work well, too—just avoid formulas with added moisturizers or oils that could leave residue on your stone.
You can also add a subtle scent using essential oils. Just be selective with your choices, as some oils can be too acidic for natural stone. Gentle options like lavender, peppermint, tea tree, eucalyptus, or rosemary work beautifully and add natural antibacterial properties. Use no more than 10 drops per bottle to keep the mixture gentle enough for daily use.
Keep This Recipe Right Where You Need It
One of the most frustrating things about DIY cleaners is trying to remember the recipe when it’s time to make more. That’s exactly why I created my Spray Bottle Recipe Labels. These durable, waterproof labels stick right on your bottle and include the full recipe – no more hunting through Pinterest or old emails to find your favorite cleaning recipes!
OGT reader Kim G. says it perfectly: “The labels are so helpful. I use several of Jillie’s recipes for cleaning products. It is so nice to have the recipe right on the bottle. When I need to make more it is right there. I would recommend these!”
Plus, I’ve got my favorite amber spray bottles! And don’t forget to grab some of our ultra-absorbent microfiber cleaning cloths – they’re gentle on stone surfaces while giving you that streak-free shine.
Granite Care 101: Do’s, Don’ts & Troubleshooting
Even with the perfect cleaner, there are a few other things you should know to keep your granite looking its best!
The Daily Do’s
• Wipe up spills immediately, especially acidic substances like wine, coffee, citrus juices, and tomato sauce
• Use soft microfiber cloths for cleaning and buffing
• Clean surfaces daily with your granite-safe cleaner
• Test your sealant regularly with the water drop test (more on that below)
The Crucial Don’ts
• Avoid acidic cleaners like vinegar or lemon juice
• Skip abrasive scrubbers that can scratch the surface
• Don’t let soap build up – less is more
• Never use bleach or ammonia-based products
When to Reseal
Your granite’s seal is crucial for protecting against stains and damage. To check if it’s time to reseal, try this simple test: Place a few drops of water on your counter. If the water beads up, your seal is still working. If it soaks in within a few minutes, it’s time to reseal.
Most stone experts recommend resealing granite every 1-2 years, though high-use areas might need more frequent attention. The process is straightforward: thoroughly clean your counters, apply a quality stone sealer according to package directions, and allow 24 hours for complete curing. Mark your calendar to check the seal every six months so you’ll know when it’s time for reapplication.
Is This Cleaner Safe for Other Countertops?
One of the most common questions I get is: “Will this work on my [insert countertop material]?”
The good news is, this gentle formula works beautifully on any sealed natural stone surface—including granite, quartzite, marble, limestone, and slate. It’s also safe for quartz, which is an engineered stone.
You’ll just want to avoid using it on any unsealed natural stone, since those surfaces can absorb liquids and may be more prone to damage.
It’s also safe to use on soapstone, but in most cases, plain soap and water do the trick. If you regularly oil your soapstone, skip the rubbing alcohol—it can affect the finish over time.
Bonus Tip: While this cleaner was made with countertops in mind, many readers use it on everything from stainless steel appliances to mirrors and even spot-cleaning floors—just another reason it’s a favorite in so many homes!
OGT Reader Reviews
I may not have granite countertops of my own, but luckily, plenty of OGT readers do—and they’ve had great things to say about this DIY cleaner. Here are just a few of their rave reviews:
“LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this cleaner! I have black granite countertops that most cleansers leave streaky. This cleaner leaves no marks…just shine!” – Denise
“I have used this cleaner for quite some time. I use it on all my appliances and countertops. I put a few drops of essential oil in it, which really smells good and helps with disinfecting. Occasionally, I’ll spray a couple of squirts in the air as an air freshener.” – Sunny
“I have to say that I’ve used this cleaner on MANY surfaces for a few years now. We’ve had granite, quartz, and sealed wood counters, and it works beautifully on all of them.” – Sue
“I’ve used this formula for a couple of years and love it. I’ve never used a commercial product that works as well.” – Laurie
“Thank you so much for this recipe! I LOVE this cleaner! It makes me soooo happy to see my countertops sparkling clean after years of trying to use dish soap and water, baking soda and vinegar, peroxide, you name it. It works great on appliances, and I even just cleaned the bathroom mirrors with it! PERFECT!” – Jennifer
Let me know how this DIY granite cleaner works for you!
