Granite slabs are a very safe countertops material for kitchens and baths in various homes and establishments. It has become homeowners favorite due to its ability to handle the heat, and still look beautiful in spite of everyday scratches it gets.
But over time, a granite’s porous surface can accumulate dirt, grime, and bacteria that can sully its appearance and deteriorate the layer of clear sealant that protects it from chipping and discoloration.
At this point, not just any cleaning solution will do the trick, you would need to keep the granite pristine and clean by disinfecting it with a solution that will not harm the granite or the sealant covering the top.
The process of disinfecting a granite countertop is simple with the right cleaning solution at the ready and in this article, we have recommended the best cleaning product for your granite.
What Cleaning Products Are Safe For Granite?
Here are the best granite cleaners that will leave your countertops sparkling.
- Weiman Granite Cleaner and Polish for Daily Use:
If smooth and shiny counters is what you want, then Weiman granite cleaner and polish is just what you need. This spray formula is convenient and easy to use to keep your granite countertops looking great. A word of caution though, it can make surfaces slipperier than expected but really gives it that shine.
The Weiman granite cleaner does not have a pungent smell, which is a plus for most people but it will definitely leave you wanting more if you enjoy a strong “freshly cleaned” scent. It is effective when used to clean countertops and it leaves a smooth, streak-free, shiny finish after the job is done.
- Better Life Granite and Stone Cleaner
Better Life Natural Granite and Stone Cleaner offer an effective and safe option for a “green cleaning” approach to granite cleaners. This brand’s granite and stone cleaner can remove minor scuffs and scum, leaving your countertops with a shiny appearance after the job is done.
Better life cleaner is all-natural and it is manufactured with chemical-free ingredients and still has a great scent.
- Black Diamond Granite Plus 2-in-1 Cleaner & Sealer:
A product like Black Diamond Stoneworks GRANITE PLUS! 2 in 1 Cleaner & Sealer for Granite, gives your granite the best defense against stains by using a granite cleaner with an in-built sealer. It also makes it easy to keep your home’s granite and natural stone surfaces real smooth and sealed.
It is convenient to use, just spray on your granite countertops to bring out the shine while sealing them against water, oil, and fingerprints. It is important to note that this product is most effective on granite that has previously been sealed. Think of it as a regular reinforcement against daily messes that might occur in your kitchen countertops or bathroom.
- Formula 409 32 Oz. Stone & Steel Cleaner:
Formula 409 Stone and Steel Cleaner is a good option if you are looking for an affordable price-friendly cleaner. This multi-tasking kitchen cleaner is pH-balanced, so it’s safe for use on granite and can be used to wipe smudges from your stainless steel appliances, too.
Although, most have complained that it is not as effective when used on stainless steel but It is spot on when used on granite and it brings out that streak-free shine.
Unlike most cleaning solutions, it cleans without leaving behind a sticky residue on your countertops and appliances.
- Stone Care International 32 oz. Granite and Stone Daily Cleaner Spray
Stone Care International Granite Stone Sealer Cleaner and Polish – is a top-selling product that is gentle and effective for cleaning granite, marble, quartz, and more. It delivers shiny results without doing lasting harm to the finish of your natural stone surfaces. This spray-on formula is easy to use and cleans well, and can even clean up notoriously difficult grease and oil residues.
The pH-balanced formula means that you do not have to worry that this granite cleaner will dull the finish of granite or other natural stone surfaces with continued use. A lot of users are satisfied with the smooth, glossy finish this gives to granite counters.
- TriNova Granite Cleaner and Polish for Daily Use:
TriNova Granite Cleaner and Polish for Daily Use delivers shine without stickiness and is a go-to for the regular upkeep of your granite.
While this granite cleaner restores shine to your granite, it is not necessarily a deep cleaner—you will still need to tackle serious messes and stains before finishing with this.
Aside from that, there are numerous positive reviews about the shine factor of this granite cleaner and reports show that it does not leave a residue or film on granite or other surfaces.
- Granite CPR 18 Oz. Cleaner and Polish:
Granite CPR is an all-in-one granite cleaner that makes your granite looks its best. This wipe-on formula is intended to cover all the bases when it comes to natural stone care by cleaning, polishing, and sealing the surface in a single step.
Users describe that this product leaves your counters feeling smooth to the touch after use.
- Granite Gold 24 oz. Countertop Liquid Polish:
Granite Gold GG0032 24 oz comes in a convenient spray bottle and helps your granite surfaces resist smudges, water rings, and fingerprints, as well as giving it that sleek shine after use. This product is designed to bring out the luster in your granite counters. To get a real shine, you’ll need to supply a little elbow grease.
The product must be sprayed on, buffed with a lint-free cloth or paper towel, then be given a final wipe. While your surfaces will likely still benefit from a more thorough polish on occasion, users find Granite Gold Polish Spray to be a quick and easy way to keep their stone surfaces look shiny and resistant to smudges day-to-day.
- Weiman Granite Wipes
A convenient way to give your granite countertops a shine is through the use of Weiman Granite Disinfectant Wipes. These granite cleaner wipes aren’t necessarily a replacement for regular, thorough granite cleaning. Most users find them to be effective for quick touch-ups, but impractical to use as your only cleaning product.
These ready-to-go wipes are housed in an airtight canister and are most often used to clean up spills and streaks without using ordinary household cleaners that can dull or damage the finish of granite counters.
If you plan to clean up a large area and you are in a hurry, then these granite cleaner wipes can be put to the task, and most importantly, they do not leave smudges after the cleaning is done, that is how effective they are.
Three Products to Avoid Using on Granite
The materials that can never be used on a granite countertop are much but it basically involves anything that is not perfectly PH neutral, which is going to harm your stone in the long run. This includes any product – natural, man-made, or homemade – that contains anything acidic or alkaline such as lemon or citric acid.
In addition, you want to avoid using the following products on your stone:
- Bleach: Although bleach is a great disinfectant, it can also dull the finish of your granite and in some cases even change its color. There are many, safer, ways to disinfect your stone, so avoid bleach and any products that contain it when cleaning your granite.
- Glass Cleaner: Glass cleaners such as Windex may look like a good choice to use on the glossy finish of your granite counter. They are made to remove things like fingerprints and they leave a streak-free shine. However, they can also dull the finish of your granite, and they can dull it in a patchy, uneven way that will make certain areas appear more noticeable to you in the future.
- Formula 409: Formula 409 is a popular bathroom cleaner that can disinfect, remove soap scum, and give your porcelain and ceramics a bright shine. Unfortunately, Formula 409 contains many substances that can damage the surface of your granite. So, even if your granite is installed in a bathroom, avoid using traditional bathroom cleansers like this when the time comes to clean your stone.
3 Things to Know About Cleaning Granite
1. It is important to make sure your granite countertop is sealed.
It is a known fact that granite is a very hard surface and less porous than marble, but unsealed or weakly sealed granite will soak up oils, spills, and stains. To check whether your granite is sealed, leave a few drops of water on the surface. If it beads up, you have a secure seal and if after a few minutes the water has soaked into the granite, then it is time to reseal the stone.
2. You shouldn’t use harsh or abrasive cleaners and sponges.
As stated earlier, Windex; acidic cleaners, like vinegar, lemon, lime; or anything with ammonia or bleach should be avoided. Frequently using these chemicals will dull and weaken the sealant over time. In essence, the harsher the cleaner, the quicker it will break down the sealant.
3. A gentle cloth is Key.
Do not rely on cleaning solutions alone, on a daily basis also make use of warm water, a mild or gentle dish soap, and a nubby washcloth or microfiber cloth for wipe-downs.
