Pour one-half cup of rubbing alcohol, one-half teaspoon of dish soap, and one-and-a-half cups of warm water into the spray bottle. The disinfecting properties of alcohol, coupled with the de-greasing powers of dish soap, will deliver a one-two punch to banish bacteria and grime from the granite surface.
Make your own granite countertop cleaner: Mix 50/50 rubbing alcohol and water and add 20 drops of your favorite essential oil. Voila, you have your own DIY granite cleaner! Soap and water usually do the trick, but if you want a quick way to disinfect or clean the granite, this spray works great.
Granite cleaner recipe
The best homemade granite cleaner uses only the necessary ingredients for a fast-acting, budget-friendly solution. Rubbing alcohol, castile soap, and water make up the key ingredients for a granite cleaner that will leave your countertops germ-free and glistening clean.
Granite is relatively strong, but that does not mean you should clean it using rough and abrasive materials, such as a steel wool sponge, or with harshly acidic cleaners like vinegar. When cleaning granite, it's important to choose a very mild dish soap, warm water, and a soft microfiber or terry cloth.
Make a mixture of three parts baking soda to one part warm water, and combine until smooth. Apply a thin layer of the paste to your granite surface, and gently buff with a clean cloth. Wipe away any residue with a damp cloth and dry the granite for a smooth, shiny surface.
Buy a polishing powder designed for natural stone countertops. You'll generally have to mix the powder with water to form a paste. Then “polish” problem areas with a soft cloth. Some products require you to leave the paste on overnight (mostly for stain removal).
Pour one-half cup of rubbing alcohol, one-half teaspoon of dish soap, and one-and-a-half cups of warm water into the spray bottle. The disinfecting properties of alcohol, coupled with the de-greasing powers of dish soap, will deliver a one-two punch to banish bacteria and grime from the granite surface.
Flush the area with a mix of water and mild dish soap; rinse several times. Dry the area thoroughly with a soft cloth. Repeat as necessary. Avoid harsh cleaners: Granites may contain trace levels of acid-sensitive minerals, so don't use cleaning products containing lemon, vinegar, or other acids.
If after a few minutes the water has soaked into the granite, then it's time to reseal the stone. DON'T: Use harsh or abrasive cleaners and sponges. Windex; acidic cleaners, like vinegar, lemon, lime; or anything with ammonia or bleach should be avoided.
Domex and Cif are two popular granite and marble floor cleaning chemicals that are designed to be gentle on the environment and effective at killing bacteria and other microorganisms. Domex is a powerful and versatile cleaning solution that is designed to remove dirt, grease, and grime from granite and marble floors.
If you're looking to get your granite clean and shiny in a pinch, Rapinchuk's favorite daily cleaning formula is combining 1.5 cups water, 2 tablespoons rubbing alcohol, and 0.25 teaspoons castile or dish soap. “Pour in a spray bottle, spray on counters, and wipe clean,” she advises, with no rinsing necessary.
A mix between bleach and water can help remove tough stains, such as food and drink stains, including coffee and wine on sealed granite countertops.
Acids – Do not use cleaners with vinegar, lemon juice or ammonia on your countertops. These cleaners contain acids that will diminish the seal on your granite.
Bleach, vinegar, the ingredients in Lysol, and others can cause permanent damage, especially if used incorrectly. Acids, such as vinegar and even lemon juice, can break down the sealant that is used on stone countertops. Clorox and Lysol sprays and wipes are convenient, but they are not safe for granite countertops.
Vinegar is made up of acids that can severely harm your granite. Even if it is diluted, vinegar may still leave acids on your granite countertops. This can cause your natural stone countertops to etch. You can tell that your granite countertops have begun to etch by seeing a small ring or some sign of a watermark.
Regular Dawn or other dish soaps work well. Do use a soft cloth. No special tools needed here: a soft cloth will help remove all grime and dirt without damaging countertops.
STAIN REMOVAL Don't panic! Most of the time, stained granite countertops can be cleaned with household items so common that you probably already have them in your pantry. No matter the source of the stain, start with baking soda.
Look for a specialty granite cleaner, and follow the manufacturer instructions for cleaning those countertops. Granite cleaners often require you to spray, let sit, wipe off, and buff dry, so it may take a little more time than you're used to, but you might be surprised at the difference it can make.
Granite is a composite of magma and different kinds of minerals such as quartz, feldspar, amphiboles, and mica. The mineral mica is found in a lot of granite, and it is one of the things that gives granite a shimmery shine in certain places.
The simplest cause of a cloudy surface on your granite countertops is that you improperly applied the sealant and did not allow it to dry completely. The proper way to apply sealant is to spread it across the granite surface, buffing it into the stone until it's completely dried.
Rock Doctor Granite and Quartz Polish is the best polishing agent for granite and other natural stone surfaces. If you are looking for a product that both keeps your granite's glossy finish intact and protects the stone from moisture, look no further than the Rock Doctor Granite and Quartz Polish.