Did you recently get new granite countertop installed, or perhaps you moved into a home that has them throughout the kitchen and bathrooms? Granite surely makes a beautiful statement!

Granite is a type of rock made of minerals like mica and quartz. For centuries, it has been used as a building material. It gained popularity in recent decades as a material for counters in kitchens and bathrooms.

Advertisements

Many forums claim that cleaning granite is difficult. However, let us tell you, it is really a cinch. You don’t need to attend a special class or be a stone savant to learn how to clean granite countertops quickly and effectively.

before and after using baking soda

Unlike marble, granite isn’t porous in nature, thus it’s less prone to soaking up oils and other spills that cause stains. Nevertheless, mop up spills as soon as they occur to prevent them from penetrating into the surface.

Although fairly heat- and scratch-resistant, you must remember never to use harsh chemicals like ammonia on granite, as they can scratch or even damage the surface. Granite is a sensitive material and perhaps requires a little more care than the usual surfaces.

Advertisements

Once you know how to care for granite, a stray coffee cup leaving a brown ring on the counter won’t bother you. So, dump the commercial cleaners and use these natural home remedies to clean granite countertops like a pro.

Method 1: Use Warm Water and Dish Soap

before and after using dish soap

Things you’ll need:

things you'll need to use dish soap to clean granite countertops

  • Liquid dish soap
  • Water
  • Kitchen towel
  • Microfiber cloth

Step 1. Make a soapy solution with dish soap and water

mix dish soap in warm water

  • Pour some warm water in a bowl.
  • Add 1 tablespoon of liquid dish soap to the water.
  • Mix it well to form a foamy soap solution.

Step 2. Scrub the granite surface with the soapy solution

scrub the granite with the soap solution

Advertisements
  • Soak a kitchen towel in the soapy solution.
  • Scrub the entire surface with the soaked towel to ensure you’ve removed all the grime and debris.

Step 3. Buff it with a damp microfiber cloth

buff the surface with damp microfiber

  • Dampen a microfiber cloth with some water.
  • Wipe and buff the granite with the damp microfiber cloth to restore the beautiful finish on your countertop.

final clean granite with dish soap

Method 2: Use a DIY Cleaner

before and after using DIY cleaner

You can make a DIY cleaner at home for cleaning and scrubbing your granite countertops.

Advertisements

Things you’ll need:

things you'll need to use DIY cleaner to clean granite countertop

  • Rubbing alcohol – 1 tablespoon
  • Orange essential oil – 2 or 3 drops
  • Spray bottle
  • Kitchen towel
  • Microfiber cloth

Step 1. Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle

combine rubbing alcohol, dish soap and essential oil

  • Pour 1 tablespoon of rubbing alcohol into a spray bottle.
  • Add 2 or 3 drops of liquid dish soap to it.
  • Blend in 2 or 3 drops of orange essential oil.
  • Put the cap on the spray bottle and shake it to make sure the soap and alcohol are well mixed for a nice balance.

Step 2. Spray the solution on the stained granite

spray the solution on the granite

  • Spray a generous amount of the cleaning solution on the stained area of the granite.

Step 3. Clean off the stain and buff the countertop

clean and buff the countertop

  • Scrub off the stain using a kitchen towel.
  • Buff and clean the granite countertop with a microfiber cloth to get rid of any residue and restore the granite’s shine.

final clean granite with DIY cleaner

Advertisements

Method 3: Use Baking Soda

Baking soda is a mild abrasive that helps to clean granite countertops, while also restoring its natural shine and finish.

# For Water-Based Stains

before and after using baking soda

Things you’ll need:

things you'll need to use baking soda to treat water based stain on granite

  • Baking soda – 1 tablespoon
  • Liquid dish soap – 1 teaspoon
  • Hydrogen peroxide – enough to make a thick paste
  • Water
  • Rag
  • Kitchen towel
  • Microfiber cloth

Step 1. Combine baking soda, dish soap and hydrogen peroxide

combine baking soda ,dish soap and hydrogen peroxide

  • Put 1 tablespoon of baking soda in a bowl.
  • Squirt approximately 1 teaspoon of liquid dish soap into it.
  • Add just enough hydrogen peroxide to make a paste with a thick consistency.
  • Mix the ingredients thoroughly.

Step 2. Cover the stain with the paste and let it sit

cover the stain with the paste

  • Smear the paste liberally over the stain.
  • Allow the paste to sit and work for 15 minutes.

Step 3. Scrub the stain with a rag

scrub the stain

  • Using an old rag, gently scrub the paste around to dislodge the stain.

Step 4. Remove the residue and buff the countertop

clean and buff the surface

  • Use a kitchen towel to wipe away the dried baking soda residue.
  • Finish by buffing the countertop with a damp microfiber cloth to pick up any traces of residue and restore the granite’s shine.

final clean granite stain with baking soda

# For Oil-Based Stains

before and after using baking soda

Things you’ll need:

things you'll need to use baking soda to treat oil based stain on granite

  • Baking soda – 2 tablespoons
  • Liquid dish soap – 1 teaspoon
  • Water – enough to make a thick paste
  • Rag
  • Microfiber cloth

Step 1. Make a paste with baking soda, dish soap and water

make a paste of baking soda, dish soap and water

Advertisements
  • Put 2 tablespoons of baking soda in a bowl.
  • Squirt approximately 1 teaspoon of liquid dish soap into the baking soda.
  • Add enough water to make a thick paste.
  • Stir the ingredients well.

Step 2. Cover the stain evenly with the paste

cover the stain with the paste

  • Smear the paste liberally over the stain.
  • Allow the paste to dry for 15 to 20 minutes.

Step 3. Scrub off the stain and buff the surface

scrub at the stain and buff the surface

  • Using a kitchen towel, scrub the stain and wipe away the residue. As you scrub, the stain will come off easily with the baking soda paste.
  • Buff and clean the granite countertop with a microfiber cloth to remove any residue and restore its shine and finish.

final clean oil based stain on granite with baking soda

Method 4: Use Hydrogen Peroxide

before and after using hydrogen peroxide

Things you’ll need:

things you'll need to use hydrogen peroxide to clean granite countertop

  • Hydrogen peroxide – 2 tablespoons
  • Water
  • Small spray bottle
  • Soft Towel

Step 1. Dilute hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle

dilute hydrogen peroxide with water

  • Pour about 2 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide into a small spray bottle.
  • Fill the remainder of the bottle with water.
  • Put the cap on and shake it well to combine the liquids.

Step 2. Spray the solution on the stained area

spray the solution on the stain

  • Spray a generous amount of the solution on the stained area on the granite surface.

Step 3. Wipe it clean with a soft towel

wipe it clean with a microfiber

  • Use a soft towel to wipe the area clean.
  • Finish by buffing the granite to restore its shine.

final clean granite with hydrogen peroxide

Tips

  • The nature and design of granite counters causes some stains to be left behind after cleaning, as they may not be apparent to the naked eye. The final swipe and buffing with a clean microfiber cloth will pick up any residual staining and also enhance the granite’s finish and shine. A microfiber cloth works best because it’s lint-free and doesn’t leave loose bits of fibers behind.
  • Do not use ammonia, vinegar or lemon to clean granite countertops, as the acids in them may react with granite and cause dullness.
  • Use coasters and mats to set glasses and dishes on granite and prevent unnecessary stains. This is particularly important for colored beverages or foods.
  • Use mats or trivets under hot ceramic, china or silver dishes, as they can scratch the surface.
  • Do not put acidic foods directly on the countertop, as they can stain or etch the granite surface and make it look dull.
Advertisements