Containing both ammonia and lemon, Lysol Lemon All-Purpose Cleaner isn't a good option for cleaning granite countertops.
Hot water and dish soap should be adequate for daily sanitizing. However, if a disinfectant is desired, reach for a bottle of 70% isopropyl alcohol. Spray it onto the granite, allow to sit for three to five minutes, and then rinse with water and dry with a clean microfiber cloth. Avoid bleach or ammonia-based cleaners.
When cleaning granite, don't use harsh chemicals, acidic cleaners or abrasive scrubbing tools. You're better off using some dish soap and water. Keep your natural stone counters looking great for years to come with this guide to cleaning granite countertops.
To look after your countertop surfaces, you should wipe up any food residue, liquid or grime as soon as they appear. To clean your countertops, we would recommend a strong antibacterial cleaner such as Lysol® All-Purpose Cleaner.
Frequent use of vinegar, Windex or bleach will dull the granite and weaken the sealant. Instead, a little soap and water should do the trick. Add dish soap and warm water to a sponge, get a good lather and begin cleaning. Avoid using abrasive pads, as granite can be scratched.
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.
Do use a mild detergent soap. 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.
Fancy cleaners aren't necessary for cleaning granite counters on a daily basis. You really only need three things: Warm water, mild dishwashing liquid and a microfiber cloth. Tip: Make sure your dishwashing liquid doesn't contain citrus extracts, as they're too acidic for granite countertops.
Many people assume that because granite is sealed, it can be maintained with any all-purpose cleaner on the market. But these cleaners often contain harsh chemicals like ammonia that can damage the granite's surface. Although it's heat and scratch-resistant, granite is a sensitive material and requires specific care.
Even if the scent is nice, you'll be opening up your quartz countertop to other problems later. Other household cleaners such as Windex, Lysol, and even vinegar are also bad to use. These products contain a high pH level and are very acidic, which can damage your beloved kitchen counters.
As good as a cleaner for windows and other glass surfaces, Windex has some elements on its compositions that can permanently damage granite when used for a long time. For that reason, you should never use Windex on granite.
Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Probiotic Cleaners are perfect for countertops, finished wood and tile floors, walls, porcelain, sinks and faucet, sealed stone and granite. Note that we don't recommend using our products on sealed marble, as the cleaner may remove the sealant.
The acids contained in these cleaners will degrade the sealant and can leave unsightly stains on the countertop. That means those Clorox disinfecting wipes (which contain citric acid) that make cleanup so easy are actually quite bad for your granite's seal.
Don't use anything on your granite that you wouldn't normally use on countertops. You wouldn't use toilet bowl cleaner on your countertop, so don't use it on your granite. We recommend using mild dish soap and a towel to clean off your countertops.
Clorox Wipes/Clorox Multi-Purpose Cleaner
Clorox, whether it is Clorox wipes or the Multi-Purpose cleaning fluid, is not safe to use for cleaning and disinfecting your granite. The multi-purpose cleaner contains bleach, which is extremely harmful for granite and many other natural stones.
Your best bet is to use a stone-specific cleaner. There are a number of good makers of stone cleaners. Another option is to simply use a high quality microfiber cloth (and yes, the quality does matter) with plain, everyday water. And, whatever you do DON'T use a vinegar solution.
How Often to Clean Granite. Granite countertops in a kitchen should be cleaned after every food preparation or at least daily to remove spills, food residue and to protect the finish of the sealant. Bathroom countertops should be wiped down after every use and thoroughly cleaned weekly.
Concentrated dish soap that's tough on stains and grease while staying gentle on stainless steel, granite, and glassware, like Dawn® Platinum Powerwash Dish Spray.
Note: Some experts will recommend sealing granite countertops every “6-12 months” or “3-5 years”, but there is no hard and fast rule.
It's a great product, but not for your granite!
Probably one of the easiest items to use are wipes—which are particularly popular for brands such as Clorox or Lysol. Sure, they are convenient, but you should keep them far away from your granite countertops.
Granite polishing powder: Also called stone polishing compound, powder offers a quick and easy way to put a fresh gleam on granite while removing minor scratches and stains. If using it dry, choose a buff polishing pad to work the polish over the surface of the granite in a steady, circular pattern.
Although granite is harder and less porous than marble or limestone, it is even more vulnerable to strong alkaline chemicals, including ammonia and harsh detergents.
Thankfully, Soft Scrub has products that are tough on stains, yet gentle on your most delicate kitchen countertops. Granite and Marble – Specially designed to remove stubborn stains without damaging high-end surfaces, Soft Scrub's Multi-Surface Gel restores granite and marble countertops to their original shine.
Clean granite with soft cotton cloths or clean rag mops along with neutral cleaners, mild liquid dishwashing detergent, and water. After washing with a soap solution, rinse the surface with water and dry with a soft cloth to eliminate water spots and streaking.