Give your granite surfaces a streak-free shine with this super simple, DIY cleaner that’s safe for granite, extremely effective, and costs pennies to make!
As we slowly renovated every single space in our 130-year-old farmhouse over the last decade, we’ve incorporated solid-surface counters as often as possible.
Most of our counters are granite, some are butcher block. They all look fantastic and function beautifully, but they all require regular maintenance.
When we had our granite counters installed, we received a maintenance booklet that said, “DO NOT USE VINEGAR” in big bold type.
Since I use vinegar to clean much of our home, this was an unexpected obstacle… but after an afternoon of “research”, I decided on a simple homemade recipe that has worked marvelously for me ever since.
My DIY granite cleaner is totally safe for stone surfaces, it’s extremely frugal, and it only takes 3 minutes to whip up an entire spray bottle!
In full disclosure, you can totally get away with using dish soap and water to clean your granite or other stone surfaces.
However, this method will leave some streaks — especially on white and black granite.
If you like simple, but don’t want streaks, let me share my DIY granite cleaner with you!
DIY Granite Cleaner
Give your granite surfaces a streak-free shine with this super simple, DIY cleaner that’s safe for granite, extremely effective, and costs pennies to make!
Ingredients
- 1/4 c. rubbing alcohol (this is what eliminates the streaks)
- 3 - 4 drops dish soap or Castile soap
- 2 c. water
- 2 or 3 drops essential oil (optional -- I don't use them)
Instructions
Mix all the ingredients in a 16 oz. spray bottle.
Give it a shake, and you're ready to clean!
Notes
Don't want to make your own granite cleaner?
Here are a few store-bought options specifically for granite:
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Don’t want to make your own granite cleaner?
Here are a few store-bought options specifically for granite:
- Therapy Premium Granite Cleaner
- Granite Gold Daily Cleaner
- Weiman’s Granite Disinfectant Spray
- Rock Doctor Granite & Quartz Cleaner
- Method Granite Polish
Pin this recipe for later!
More Kitchen Cleaning Resources:
- My Ultimate List of DIY Cleaning Products
- How to Care For Butcher Block Counters
- How to Clean Stainless Steel Appliances
- How to Clean the Inside of a Dishwasher
- How to Clean a Gas Stovetop
Check out our counters:
Want to see what our granite counters look like? Check out the following home renovations:
Do you have any other tips to clean and care for granite counters?
BB says
I have granite counters that look much like yours. I’ve never used vinegar nor bleach on them, as if soap & water is good enough for getting coronavirus germs off our hands, it is good enough for the occasional getting off of things like chicken fluids & other concerning food ‘stuff’. I may scrub twice in these occasions depending on the food item, and I always dry the counter afterwards with a microfiber cloth which then goes straight to the microfiber basket in the laundry room. Easy peasy.
Andrea says
Good call — such a simple solution!
janet says
Amazing! Thank you for this recipe. We installed black granite 15 years ago because my building contractor husband talked me into it when a client of his installed black and he loved the look. For 15 years I have been cleaning and then buffing my countertops. I just mixed up your solution in under 3 minutes, and tried it. No streaks!!! Bless you! This will save me so much time and effort.
Andrea says
oh yay — this makes me so happy to read!
Yes, we specifically did NOT go with black granite because of the constant upkeep — but I still love this streak-free cleaner!
Kathy says
For my quartz countertops, I found this solution and like it.
1c. rubbing alcohol
1c. distilled water
1t. baking soda
Mix it up in spray bottle.
Kathy says
Ooops, wipe with Norwex cloth. Yes, I do spray then dry with the Norwex.
Andrea says
Thanks for sharing! I think rubbing alcohol is the “trick” for getting it streak-free!
Jen O. says
I had them in my last house. All I used was the Norwex kitchen cloth and water…no cleaner ever in 8+ years!
Also, did you send an email today? I never got one. Thanks!
Andrea says
Hi Jen,
Thanks for sharing — that’s awesome!
And yes, I did send an email (6:15 EST) check your spam maybe?
That’s annoying that it wouldn’t go through! Thanks for letting me know though!
Val says
Hi Andrea–I’ve been using Windex Vinegar on my granite which I’ve learned is a big no-no. I now use your isopropyl mix! Do you use this solution on your chrome faucets and stainless sinks, too?
Andrea says
I honestly just use water on the stainless and chrome — it seems to work well with my microfiber clothes. As for my sink, I alway use Soft Scrub as it’s a porcelain sink. Here’s my post about that: https://andreadekker.com/our-farmhouse-sink-tips-to-clean-and-care-for-porcelain-sinks/
Jenny says
I really feel better using a disinfectant, which vinegar and dish soap are NOT. Bleach and Lysol-type stuff ARE. So that what I use, following directions on bottle. But I have Formica, not granite, and that a big reason I chose Formica!
Erin says
Maybe you have addressed this somewhere, but I couldn’t find it. Are you supposed to re-seal the granite every so often? We have had our counter tops for a little over a year and I feel like the surface is becoming rough and I wonder if the seal is wearing off. Any ideas?
Thanks!
Andrea says
I don’t think I’m the expert on this — but we do seal ours every couple of years. You could contact the company who installed your granite and ask them specifically. I’m not sure if different types of granite and hard surface require different treatments!
Mary says
I loved the look of black granite as well…enough that i was willing for some extra maintenance…after some research i did decide to get a “honed” finish….to my surprise it far surpassed my expectations in trying to keep it clean…I’d say maintenance is as minimal as any other easy-to-clean surface!!
Andrea says
thanks for sharing Mary! Enjoy the new counters!
Rosanna Vega says
My mother’s new kitchen countertops are granite and after some time of wondering what to use for cleaning, she bought some full of chemicals detergent from the store. I told her not to fill her home with unknown chemicals, but she just never listens to me. It’s a great recipe, that you share, natural and easy to mix. I’m showing it to her right this weekend and I’m sure she’ll appreciate it. Thank you for the good idea!
Randy Clerk says
I have the same countertops in my kitchen and I love them too! I think that this color is the best solution especially for a kitchen. I clean them only with dish soap but I like your suggestion and will try it for sure! Thank you a lot for this post!
Heather says
Thanks for the vinegar warning! I have been doing that daily…but for the price of ruining the countertops, I think I need an alternative! I’m going to try out your homemade granite cleaner instead. I was wondering if this also disinfected? I want to make sure I clean germs, raw foods, etc. and I often use a bleach spray for that too (that’s probably actually not good to do, isn’t it!?)
Andrea says
Hi Heather! I’m honestly not 100% sure if using bleach is bad for your counters/food prep areas. I can’t imagine it would be great to ingest bleach (and I know it’s not great to breath it in) but I also know there are food-safe bleach sprays on the market. Clorox makes one specifically for kitchens — you might look into that??
But again, I’m not the expert on this area 🙂
Sharon Potter says
Thank you for sharing your way of cleaning the granite counter tops! I have granite counter tops in my kitchen. I love them and clean them every day, so thanks a lot for this alternative!
Lizzy Johnson says
This spring I will renovate my kitchen and I will put granite counter tops. Thanks a lot for sharing your experience. You definitely helped me a lot to choose the right granite!
Andrea says
Glad to help Lizzy — and good luck with your kitchen renovation!
Beth Howard says
Hi Andrea,
I just love your website! I have granite similar to your’s in my kitchen and I’m constantly dealing with hard water around the faucet. I try to wipe it down when I use it, but nobody else in the family does it. Have you experienced this with your’s and do you have any tips?
Thanks so much!
Beth 🙂
Andrea says
Thanks Beth!
I’m wondering if it’s just your water — because I’ve never had that issue with my counters (and we always have water splattered around the sink area!) I just posted this a reader question on my facebook page so hopefully some others will have a few ideas. You can follow along with the responses here.
Jen says
I have Formica but have the same problem with hard water deposits. Vinegar helps but it takes a stronger acid to really do a good job. Not sure what that would do to granite, though.
Donna G says
I have super hard water, and dark granite. I use a single edge razor blade to scrape off the minerals from time to time. You just scrape lightly with the blade at a 45 degree-ish angle.
In between, I clean with Barkeepers Friend. (I got my single edge razor at the paint store in a cute holder but I’m sure you can find one anywhere).
Andrea says
good tip — thanks Donna!
jolene says
Hi Andrea,
I like your granite cleaner! Do you have a recipe for cleaning sealed hardwood floors. My baby will be crawling soon and I am on a mission to keep them disinfected but still shiny and of course all natural.
Thanks so much!
Andrea says
For hardwood floors I just use a little vinegar and water. I’ve never used anything else and have been quite happen — plus, it’s all natural for the baby 🙂
Rebecca Rynsoever says
Thank you so much! I LOVE this recipe and it works so well. I have black quartz countertop and as much as I love the look, it was a pain to keep looking nice. The best part about this recipe is that you can spot-clean the countertop and it doesn’t show. With the old wet-rag method we’d have to wipe the whole counter top at once and then dry it in order to avoid streaks. This recipe also leaves the counter top much shinier!
Marie Bastain says
Thank you so much for this information! I have been looking for granite countertops cleaner in Vancouver, and this has been really helpful! I haven’t found any other recipes! Thank you!
Holly James says
Thanks for these tips! I just moved and my new house has granite countertops in Vancouver. I’ve never had granite and I love the way it looks but I wasn’t sure if there were any chemicals that could hurt it or take the sealant off. I will definitely whip this cleaner out and give it a try. Thanks again!
Sandy says
I fully agree with you. I did that mistake Nobody should buy the black or ubatuba granite. You need 100 time more efforts to keep them clean. It is my experience and I am suffering a lot because of this. I wish I can change my counter top to some other colour
Michelle says
I love my BLACK terrazo (similar to granite) bench tops and have had them for 25 years. We just had them repolished about 4 years ago and I have no problems with them. As I am travelling in an RV at present, I am unable to trial your suggested cleaner, but I tend to jsut use a damp cloth most of the time with nothing on it at all. being polished it rarely has anthing stuck on it nor does it stain.
kris says
I made this yesterday after reading your post and it works really well !!
Santhi says
Exactly what i needed! ;D we have black granite ;p not sure if daily wiping is considered extra maintenance… and we have heavy (indian) cooking. But love this recipe…. Thank you! Enjoy the lovely kitchen- where happy memories and beautiful aromas are created.
Mary Ann says
Thanks so much! We purchased a home this summer with a newly remodeled kitchen that sports spiffy granite counter tops that are almost exactly like yours! I’ve almost finished the granite cleaning spray that a friend gave me as part of a housewarming gift and have been looking for a homemade option that works well as I’ve read not to use vinegar either!
A funny thing— chocolate chips tend to blend in with these counter tops, if you drop them! LOL!!!
Denise Z says
How much water did you add to the mix?
Andrea says
Just enough water to filling the 16 oz bottle after adding the alcohol and dish soap.
Bama Girl says
Thank you Andrea! We installed granite square tiles in our kitchen and I’ve been using the vinegar and water spray! I didn’t know I wasn’t supposed to! I’ll have to get in there right now and mix this new recipe! You may have saved our counter tops! Blessings from Bama!