Rubbing alcohol is a natural bactericide and can also kill fungus and viruses. It has no ill effects on your granite or the seal on your granite so it's an ideal way to keep countertops clean. The list of disinfectants that are harmful for granite countertops is very long.
Cleaning Natural Stone Countertops
If not, then the coating thins and dulls and the natural stone turns into a mess. To clean these stone counters, you only need warm soap and water and a soft, non-abrasive cloth or sponge. If you want to disinfect, rubbing alcohol of a concentrate of 70% is all you need to use.
Alcohol is relatively neutral in pH, so it won't etch marble or softer granites. Honestly though, countertops don't need to be disinfected all the time, unless a household member has been diagnosed with or is suspected to have COVID-19, or any other contagious illness, such a seasonal influenza.
When cleaning natural stones like marble, limestone, and onyx, you can't reach for your regular cleaners like white vinegar, lemon juice, bleach, or abrasive cleansers. These cleaners are too acidic for natural stone and can damage or etch the stone (although some can help remove rust from concrete).
Natural stone care
These cleaners can be used on Granite countertops. To disinfect, a 1:1 solution of isopropyl or denatured alcohol and water can be used. Sealing your Granite, Marble & Quartzite is recommended to be done once a year with any natural stone sealer.
Avoid using rubbing alcohol to clean wounds or other more serious injuries, since it can delay healing and lead to even more skin irritation. Also, skip using it on sensitive areas, like sunburned, dry, or otherwise irritated skin.
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.
Natural stone should be cleaned once a week with a pH-neutral cleaning product like Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner. The powerful cleaner dissolves tough soils and buildup without damaging your beautiful stone surfaces, and removes soap scum, body oils and greases, bath oils, soap, and shampoo oils.
Clean stone surfaces with warm water and a mild soap such as a clear Dawn Liquid Soap. Do not use products that contain lemon, vinegar or other acids on marble or limestone.
It's essential to only use cleaners which are appropriate for natural stone surfaces. This means avoiding using vinegar. Stones like limestone, marble, or travertine will react to vinegar because it's an acidic cleaner with harsh effects.
SAFE: Water. Granite and/or Natural Stone-specific products. Water and rubbing alcohol mix 16:1 (a.k.a. 1-quart water to 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol)
Rubbing alcohol can be slightly acid, alkaline or neutral as it's pH can range from 6 to 8. Alcohol is a solvent, which means it's good for dissolving dirt and oil.
Keep It Simple to Clean Natural Stone
You can use any type of mild soap detergent, such as dish or hand soap, and mix it with a little water. Wet the stone first, and then use a bristle brush and soap solution to wipe the stone clean. The last step is to make sure you rinse thoroughly.
Using a sealer on natural stone helps to protect it against stains, while also giving you a little extra time to clean up any spills that may occur on your surface. It's important to note that while sealant does provide an extra barrier for your stone, everyday wear and tear will often still cause it to etch.
General Steps for any kind of Natural Stone Surface:
Sweep to remove any dirt particles. Fill a recepient of warm water and use only water, or mix it with a small amount of neutral liquid “All-Purpose-Cleaner”, detergent or cleaning solutions specific for stone. Change the solution when it starts to get dirty.
To maintain the luster and shine of your natural stone, use a stone-safe polish about once a week. To polish stone, simply spray the polish directly onto the surface, then buff the surface until it's dry with a lint-free cloth or dry paper towel.
In most instances, using a basic mixture of soap and water will be enough to clean any dirt and debris off your natural stone. To do so you, mix a bucket of warm water with an acid-free washing-up liquid to avoid any staining or discoloration.
Apply a paste of baking soda and water over the stain and leave it for 24 hours. Gently scrub the area and rinse it with plain water. Stains on Sandstone pavers, Travertine floor tiles, and Marble floors can easily be cleaned with a baking soda solution.
Many home cleaning products, particularly bleach and vinegar, are too harsh or acidic to be on natural stone. These cleaners strip down the stone and leave it in a weak, damaged state. Unfortunately, whenever natural stone is damaged it cannot always be repaired back to its original condition.
Pour or spray 3% to 4% hydrogen peroxide over the area with rust stains. Use a nylon brush or a cleaning pad safe to use on natural stones to agitate the solution. Let it sit for at least 24 hours, and then rinse afterward.
Even though you may think the higher concentration is more effective, experts say 70% is actually better for disinfecting. It has more water, which helps it to dissolve more slowly, penetrate cells, and kill bacteria. The disinfecting power of rubbing alcohol drops at concentrations higher than 80%-85%.
70% isopropyl alcohol is by far better at killing bacteria and viruses than 99% isopropyl alcohol. As a disinfectant, 70% concentration of alcohol is the most effective at killing pathogens. Any higher or lower percentage will be less effective.
Hot water and dish soap should be adequate for daily sanitizing. However, if a stronger disinfectant is desired, mix together a 50:50 solution of water and 91% isopropyl alcohol. Spray onto the granite, allow to sit for 3-5 minutes, then rinse with water and dry with a clean microfiber cloth.