# What Cleaners Are Safe for Granite Countertops? (And What You Should Never Use) You invested in beautiful granite countertops — and now you want to keep them looking exactly like the day they were installed. The most common question we hear from St. Louis homeowners after installation is simple: "What can I actually clean this with?" It's a fair question. Walk down any grocery store cleaning aisle and you'll find dozens of products that seem perfectly reasonable for a kitchen surface. But granite is a natural stone, and not everything that's safe for your sink, your tile, or your laminate is safe for your granite. This guide cuts through the confusion. We'll cover exactly what's safe to use, what's not, and what to reach for when you need something a little stronger than your everyday wipe-down. ## **The Golden Rule of Granite Cleaning** Before we get into specific products, it helps to understand why granite is sensitive in the first place. Granite is a porous natural stone. Even when sealed (and it should be sealed — more on that in a moment), the surface has microscopic channels that can absorb liquids, oils, and cleaning agents over time. The biggest enemies of granite aren't dirt or grime — they're acid and alkaline extremes. *The pH sweet spot for granite-safe cleaners is between 7 and 10. Anything more acidic or more alkaline than that range can etch, dull, or degrade the surface over time.* Keep that in mind as you read through the list below, and you'll have a built-in filter for evaluating any cleaner you encounter. ## **What Is Safe to Use on Granite Countertops** ### **Warm Water and a Microfiber Cloth** For everyday cleaning — wiping up crumbs, handling light spills, or doing a quick surface refresh — plain warm water with a soft microfiber cloth is genuinely the best option. It's gentle, it leaves no residue, and it doesn't risk any chemical interaction with the stone or the sealant. After wiping, dry the surface with a clean cloth. Standing water, even clean water, can leave mineral deposits or work into small pores if left to sit. ### **pH-Neutral Dish Soap (Used Sparingly)** A small drop of mild, pH-neutral dish soap mixed into warm water is safe for granite. This is what most granite fabricators and stone care professionals recommend for daily or weekly cleaning. The key word is sparingly. Using too much soap — or not rinsing well — leaves a soapy film that dulls the surface over time. A single small squeeze in a bucket of warm water is plenty. *Best practice: After cleaning with soapy water, do a quick follow-up wipe with plain water to remove any soap residue, then dry with a clean cloth.* ### **Stone-Specific Granite Cleaners** Products formulated specifically for natural stone — often labeled "granite cleaner," "stone cleaner," or "stone-safe" — are your safest commercial option. These are pH-balanced, free of harsh chemicals, and designed to clean without compromising the sealant. Look for products from brands like Method Stone & Steel, StoneTech, or Granite Gold. You'll find these at home improvement stores, and they're worth keeping under the sink for routine use. ### **Isopropyl Alcohol (70%) for Disinfecting** If you need to disinfect your granite — after handling raw meat, for example — a solution of 70% isopropyl alcohol and water (roughly half and half) is an effective and granite-safe option. It kills bacteria without the acidic or alkaline extremes that harm the stone. Spray it on, let it sit for 30 seconds, then wipe clean. Don't leave alcohol sitting on the surface for extended periods, but as a quick disinfecting step, it's a reliable choice. ### **Hydrogen Peroxide (for Light-Colored Granite)** A diluted hydrogen peroxide solution can be used cautiously on lighter-colored granite to address staining. This works best when the discoloration is on the surface rather than deeply absorbed into the stone. Use a 3% solution (the standard drugstore kind), apply it to the affected area, and don't let it sit longer than a few minutes. This isn't something you'd use for everyday cleaning — think of it as a targeted treatment for occasional spots. ## **What Is NOT Safe to Use on Granite Countertops** This is where most countertop damage happens. These products are common household staples — which is exactly why they cause problems. Homeowners assume that if something is safe for the rest of the kitchen, it's safe everywhere. ### **Vinegar** Vinegar is one of the most popular DIY cleaning solutions, and it's excellent for many surfaces. Granite is not one of them. Vinegar is acidic (pH around 2–3), and even diluted, repeated use will etch the surface of your granite and break down the sealant faster than normal wear. If you've been cleaning your granite with a vinegar-water spray, you may have noticed the surface looking a little duller than it used to. That's why. ### **Bleach** Bleach is highly alkaline (pH around 11–13), which puts it outside the safe range for granite. While a single accidental exposure won't destroy your countertops, regular use will degrade the sealant, dull the finish, and can cause discoloration in some stone types. Bleach-based bathroom and kitchen sprays fall into this category too — even when diluted. ### **Windex and Glass Cleaners** Most glass cleaners contain ammonia, which is both alkaline and abrasive to granite. They'll leave the surface looking clean in the short term while gradually stripping the sealant and dulling the finish. Windex is a hard no for granite. ### **Abrasive Scrubbers and Powders** Comet, Bar Keepers Friend (the powder version), steel wool, and rough scrubbing pads can scratch granite, especially in the areas where the polish is thinnest. Even granite, which is harder than most materials, can be scratched by abrasives used under pressure. If you need to tackle something stubborn, a soft cloth or nylon scrub pad is the safest physical tool. ### **Citrus-Based and Acidic Cleaners** Products that list lemon, orange, or citric acid anywhere in their ingredients are acid-based and should be avoided. This includes many "natural" cleaners that are marketed as gentle alternatives — gentle for most surfaces, but not for granite. ### **Multi-Surface Sprays with Unknown pH** Generic "all-purpose" cleaners often fall somewhere on the acidic side. Without knowing the pH, using them regularly is a gamble. When in doubt, skip it and reach for plain water or a dedicated stone cleaner. ## **A Quick Product Reference** **Safe to use:** - Warm water + microfiber cloth - pH-neutral dish soap (small amount, well rinsed) - Stone-specific granite cleaners (Granite Gold, StoneTech, etc.) - 70% isopropyl alcohol solution for disinfecting - Diluted hydrogen peroxide for spot treatment on light granite **Avoid entirely:** - Vinegar or vinegar-based sprays - Bleach and bleach-containing cleaners - Windex and ammonia-based glass cleaners - Abrasive powders or scrubbing pads - Lemon, orange, or citrus-based cleaners - Unknown pH multi-surface sprays ## **Don't Forget: Sealing Is Part of the Equation** Even the safest cleaning routine works better when your granite is properly sealed. Sealant is what gives the stone its stain-resistance and makes it easier to clean without chemicals. Most granite countertops should be resealed every one to five years depending on usage and the specific stone. A quick at-home test: drop a small amount of water on the surface and watch what happens. If it beads up, you're fine. If it absorbs into the stone and darkens within a few minutes, it's time to reseal. *E&B Granite can help you determine whether your countertops need resealing and walk you through the right products for your specific stone. Give us a call at 314.645.9300.* ## **The Bottom Line** Taking care of granite doesn't require a cabinet full of specialty products. For most homeowners, warm water and a soft cloth handle the day-to-day, a pH-neutral soap tackles anything messier, and a dedicated stone cleaner covers the weekly wipe-down. What matters most is what you avoid. Skip the vinegar, skip the bleach, and skip anything with ammonia or citrus. Your granite will reward you with a surface that looks just as stunning in ten years as it does today. Have questions about your specific stone or your current cleaning routine? E&B Granite's team is always happy to help. We've been serving the St. Louis area for over 20 years, and proper stone care is something we're genuinely passionate about.