Clean granite countertops

Granite is a durable, attractive natural stone, but it requires the right routine and products to keep it looking its best. With proper daily care, occasional deep cleaning, careful stain treatment, and regular resealing you can preserve the polish, protect the surface from etching, and maintain sanitary food-preparation areas. This guide gives practical, expert steps you can apply immediately, plus safety and troubleshooting tips.

Daily cleaning routine

Keep a simple daily routine that removes residues before they can penetrate the stone or become harder to remove.

• Clear crumbs and loose debris with a soft microfiber cloth or a dry paper towel. Avoid abrasive scrubbing that can dull the finish.
• Wipe with warm water and a pH-neutral stone cleaner or a few drops of mild dish soap in a spray bottle of water. Spray the solution, wipe with a soft cloth, then rinse with clean water and dry with a lint-free cloth to prevent water spots.
• Change or clean cleaning cloths frequently. To avoid cross-contamination in the kitchen, remember to sanitize kitchen sponges regularly—run them through a dishwasher cycle with heated dry, microwave a thoroughly wet sponge for 1–2 minutes (no metal present) or soak in a diluted bleach solution following manufacturer guidance.
• For quick spills, blot (don’t smear) with a paper towel or cloth, then clean as above. Acidic spills such as citrus juice, wine, tomato sauce or vinegar can etch granite if left too long, so attend to them immediately.

Weekly and deep cleaning

Once a week, perform a more thorough clean to remove buildup and assess the surface condition.

• Use a dedicated stone cleaner or a mix of warm water and a low-foaming, pH-neutral cleaner. Apply with a soft cloth, work in small sections, and rinse thoroughly.
• For greasy residues, use a mild degreasing dish soap diluted in water, then rinse well to remove any soap film.
• Inspect seams and caulk for mildew and food residue; clean caulk lines gently with a soft brush, mild cleanser, and rinse.
• If a stubborn matte film develops (soap scum or hard water mineral residue), use a specialized stone-safe cleanser or follow the poultice method described below for tougher deposits.

Stain removal and poultices

Treat stains according to their type—oil-based, organic, rust, ink—and act sooner rather than later for the best chance of full removal.

• Oil-based stains: Use a solvent such as acetone (nail-polish remover) on a clean cloth, or apply an absorbent poultice (baking soda mixed to a paste with water or acetone depending on manufacturer guidance). Cover with plastic wrap, tape the edges, and leave 24–48 hours. Remove and rinse.
• Organic stains (coffee, tea, food): A poultice of hydrogen peroxide with a little non-gel dish soap often works. Avoid acidic cleaners directly on granite.
• Rust: Rust is difficult on stone—use a commercial rust remover approved for natural stone, or consult a stone restoration professional to avoid discoloration.
• After any poultice or chemical treatment, neutralize and rinse thoroughly, then dry the area. Repeat only when necessary and follow product instructions carefully.

Dealing with lime scale and nearby fixtures

Lime scale and hard-water buildup commonly appear on faucets and sink fixtures. Removing them without harming adjacent granite requires care.

• To remove lime scale faucet buildup, work on the fixture itself rather than the stone. Wrap a cloth soaked in white vinegar around the affected metal parts, or use a commercial limescale remover labeled safe for the fixture’s finish. Allow it to sit per product instructions, then scrub gently and rinse.
• Protect the granite before using acidic solutions: cover the countertop with a non-reactive barrier (large plastic bags or trays) and keep the acidic agent away from the stone surface. Rinse the area and dry immediately if any drips occur.
• For scale on the countertop edge or hard-water rings on the surface, use a stone-safe descaling product or consult a professional; do not use undiluted acids on granite as they can etch and dull the finish.

Sanitizing for food safety

Granite itself is non-porous when properly sealed, but bacteria can live on spills and on kitchen tools. Combine cleaning with occasional sanitizing steps for safe food prep areas.

• After cleaning, sanitize high-touch items and surfaces with a diluted bleach solution or an EPA-registered sanitizer safe for food-contact surfaces. For small items and trays, dishwasher cycles with hot water are effective. When sanitizing surfaces that come into contact with children’s items, take extra care to rinse thoroughly.
• If you need to sanitize high chair tray surfaces, remove the tray when possible and run it through the dishwasher or wash with warm soapy water followed by a rinse in a diluted bleach solution (use concentrations recommended by public-health guidance) and air-dry completely.
• Keep cutting boards, sponges, and cloths well maintained. In addition to daily cleaning, periodically sanitize kitchen sponges to reduce microbial load and replace them frequently. For reusable cloths, launder on a hot cycle and dry completely.

Sealing and long-term maintenance

Sealing is the most important preventive step for granite longevity.

• Test annually by placing a few drops of water on the surface. If the water beads, the sealer is still working. If it soaks in or darkens the stone, plan to reseal.
• Use a high-quality penetrating stone sealer designed for granite. Follow product instructions for application, cure time, and ventilation. Most granite counters require resealing every 1–3 years depending on use and the specific product used.
• After resealing, avoid placing food directly on the countertop for the time recommended by the sealer manufacturer.

What to avoid

• Avoid acidic cleaners (vinegar, lemon juice), straight ammonia, undiluted bleach, oven cleaners, and abrasive powders—these can etch or dull the surface.
• Do not use metal scouring pads or harsh scrubbing brushes that can scratch the polish.
• Do not allow acidic drips from cleaning fixtures to sit on granite—wipe immediately and rinse.
• Avoid DIY acidic limescale remedies directly on the stone; treat fixtures or protect the stone first and rinse any accidental contact thoroughly.

Quick tip: Keep a small spray bottle of warm water with a few drops of pH-neutral stone cleaner at the ready for quick spots. Wipe, rinse, and dry immediately to prevent hard-water marks and stains.

With consistent, gentle care—cleaning spills promptly, using pH-neutral cleaners, sanitizing appropriately, protecting edges and seams, and resealing when needed—granite countertops can retain their beauty and function for decades. When in doubt about a product or stubborn stain, consult a stone-care professional to avoid irreversible damage.

More tips in the section Kitchen Cleaning & Organization