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An Easy: Homemade Granite Cleaner

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An Easy: Homemade Granite Cleaner

Homemade granite countertop cleaner is easy to make, safe on natural stone, and works great! You’ll love this easy way to clean your granite countertops without using harsh chemicals or abrasives.

A homemade granite countertop cleaner is an easy way to keep your kitchen looking great. It will also save you money on expensive store-bought cleaners.

Homemade granite cleaner is made with ingredients that are safe to use on all-natural stone countertops, and it is easy to make.

And for a fresh scent and extra shine, add essential oils.

Making homemade cleaning products is a simple way to save both time and money.

We shared our DIY all-purpose cleaner forever ago, and though we absolutely love it and use it for everything, it is not safe for granite or other natural stones because it contains vinegar.

This recipe is for anyone with granite countertops in their home who is looking for a natural cleaner.

Why You’ll Love It

  • This cleaner is perfectly simple, using all-natural, household ingredients. We like to keep cleaners as simple as possible while still getting the job done!
  • This cleaner doesn’t just remove grease and grime; it also kills germs naturally with rubbing alcohol. It’s a great all-purpose cleaning spray that just so happens to be safe for granite! You can use it on tables, vanities, floors, and more.
  • Homemade granite cleaner will save a lot of money! It uses very affordable ingredients and a reusable bottle. It’s also a more eco-friendly option than commercial cleaners.

Ingredients

Homemade granite cleaner ingredients labeled on a kitchen countertop.
  • Water
  • Rubbing alcohol: You can find isopropyl alcohol in most stores in the first aid section. Anything from 60%-90% will work. Rubbing alcohol helps kill germs without the use of vinegar or bleach, which are damaging to natural stone.
  • Castile soap: Castile soap is a gentle plant-based soap that we use for everything from body wash to cleaning products! We like to buy unscented soap so we can add our own essential oils.
  • Essential oils: These are optional, but they add a nice scent to the cleaner. We like to use citrus oils, but you can use any of your favorites.
  • Glass spray bottle: we use a 16-ounce amber glass spray bottle.

How to Make Homemade Granite Cleaner

Pouring rubbing alcohol into a glass spray bottle with a funnel.

Step 1. Use a small funnel to add the water, rubbing alcohol, and castile soap to the spray bottle.

Dropping essential oil into a glass spray bottle.

Step 2. Add in the essential oils, if using.

Tightening the lid on an amber glass spray bottle.

Step 3. Secure the lids and shake well.

Spraying an amber glass spray bottle filled with homemade granite cleaner.

Step 4. Spray and wipe to clean and disinfect natural stone countertops.

How to Clean Granite Countertops

1. Shake the homemade granite cleaner well before each use.

2. Spray generously over the entire surface being cleaned.

3. Wipe off with a warm, damp washcloth.

4. Dry with a microfiber cloth for extra shine and to remove any streaks.

What Cleaners are Safe for Granite?

Generally, just a little soap and water are enough to clean granite. However, to really disinfect, we opt for rubbing alcohol.

Lemon essential oil is another excellent option for cleaning and adding shine to your countertops. This oil, unlike lemon juice, does not contain any citric acid, making it safe for granite.

You will want to dilute it, however. We'd suggest 5 drops for every cup of cleaning solution.

What Not to Use on Granite Countertops

Avoid using typical glass cleaners, bleach, ammonia, vinegar, and even acidic cleaners containing lemon or lime juice, which can strip the stone’s sealant.

Overusing harsh chemicals on natural stone can cause it to become dull-looking and break down the sealant.

Using cleaners strictly for granite is paramount for the longevity of your granite countertops.

This does not apply to composite sinks, which are held together using plastics and glue. In that case, you can use a homemade composite sink cleaner.

Homemade granite cleaner in a wire basket with a sponge.

More Ingredient Notes

When making a homemade cleaner for granite, we chose ingredients that were safe, sustainable, and, most importantly, would do the job well!

Rubbing Alcohol

Rubbing alcohol or Isopropyl alcohol, with concentrations between 60% and 90% alcohol, is the best for cleaning, disinfecting, and cutting grease.

It’s generally safe for most surfaces and is even used in our homemade multi-purpose bathroom spray.

Mixing rubbing alcohol and water together in a spray bottle works well as a natural disinfectant.

Add in a few essential oils for additional cleaning properties and a fresh scent, and it will work well for killing germs.

Even though the environmental working group (EWG) gives isopropyl alcohol a B for safety, it does have a powerful scent and shouldn’t be breathed in for extended periods of time.

So take caution when using this spray.

Castile Soap

We love castile soap, and it is one of those things that we use for almost everything! You will find it in our homemade foaming hand soap, DIY shower scrub, and DIY jewelry cleaner.

Thankfully, it is very concentrated, and a little goes a long way. Even though we often use it, we rarely ever have to buy it! Making your own cleaners will save you money!

It is a very gentle soap that is safe on skin, surfaces, and the environment. Our favorite is Dr. Bronner’s unscented soap.

Essential Oils

While they are not necessary, we love adding pure essential oils to our cleaners, such as these DIY dishwasher soap pods! Not only do they add cleansing and purifying properties, but they also provide that fresh, satisfying scent we all cherish.

Citrus oils like lemon, orange, and lime are our go-to oils for cleaning. Tea tree, lavender, and rosemary also have excellent cleaning properties.

Learn more about cleaning with essential oils in our introductory post on the topic.

Note: As stated earlier, it is OK to use citrus oils on granite countertops because they do not contain citric acid. Be sure to avoid lemon or lime juice, as they can harm granite and other natural stones.

Tips for Cleaning Granite

How to Shine Granite Countertops

Add a small amount of olive oil to a cleaning cloth and gently wipe it across the countertop area. Then, using a clean, dry microfiber cloth, gently buff the surface in a small circular motion.

How to Remove Hard Water Stains from Granite

For fresh hard water stains, use a soft sponge with a little dish soap and water to scrub the stain clear. Wipe dry with a clean cloth.

If you have hard water stains on non-granite surfaces, you can use homemade calcium buildup cleaner.

How to Get Stains Out of Granite

For deep stains in granite, you can try our DIY on how to get stains out of white marble, which involves applying a thick paste of baking soda and water directly overtop of the stain.

Let it sit overnight and wipe clean with a damp cloth, and repeat if necessary until the stain is cleared. This is only suitable for white granite.

FAQs

Are homemade cleaners safe for granite countertops?

Vinegar, bleach, or anything harsh or acidic is not safe for granite. We recommend using homemade cleaners that are specifically formulated with natural stone in mind, like this simple homemade granite cleaner. That depends on what’s in them!

How long does homemade granite cleaner last?

This granite cleaner spray will last for one year when stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.

Takeaway

If you’re looking for an alternative to store-bought cleaners, try making your own.

This homemade granite cleaner recipe uses ingredients you probably already have at home. It’s also safe for kids and pets.

Be sure to visit some of our other non-toxic cleaner recipes next, and feel free to leave a review or comment with any questions you have below; we love receiving questions and feedback!

More Natural Cleaners You May Like

If you tried this homemade granite cleaner or any other tutorial on our website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!

5 from 20 votes

Homemade Granite Countertop Cleaner

By the studio Ascher Prep: 5 minutes minsAdditional Time: 2 minutes minsTotal: 7 minutes mins Yield: 15 ounces An amber bottle of homemade granite cleaner in a wire basket with a sponge. SaveSaved Pin Print Homemade granite countertop cleaner is so easy to make, safe on natural stone, and works great! You'll love this easy way to clean your granite countertops without using harsh chemicals or abrasives.

Equipment

  • Glass Spray Bottle

Ingredients

  • 12 oz water
  • 2 oz rubbing alcohol
  • 0.17 oz castile soap
  • 5 drops lemon essential oil
  • 5 drops orange essential oil
Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

  • Add water, rubbing alcohol, and castile soap to the spray bottle.
  • Add in essential oils if using.
  • Secure the lid and shake well before each use.

Video

Notes

To Use:
  1. Shake well before each use.
  2. Spray generously over the entire surface being cleaned.
  3. Wipe off with a warm, damp washcloth.
  4. Dry with a microfiber cloth for extra shine and to remove any streaks.
See the full video tutorial here in the recipe card or step-by-step photos in the post above! Tried this recipe?Mention @our_oily_house or tag #ouroilyhouse! This recipe is for your own viewing pleasure and is not meant for healing purposes. Readers must perform their own research and tests before making any recipe.

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