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The Kitchen Table

Homemade granite cleaner (recipe)

14 years ago

When we remodeled our kitchen 7 years ago we replaced our old Formica countertops with granite. The granite we chose is exceptionally dense and non-porous and we haven't had to reseal it since it was installed. It also helps that we've avoided harsh cleaners (windex, vinegar, ammonia or citrus based cleaners) that can etch the surface or strip away the sealer.

I've been using a simple homemade recipe that the installer gave me and thought I'd post it here. The Isopropyl cleans and disinfects but it's a neutral cleaner so it doesn't harm the stone. Just spray the cleaner on the surface and wipe dry. Before using this concoction I researched it online and it is the standard recipe with only a few changes - some sites added 1/2 cup alcohol or used Vodka, others increased the dish detergent and others added 5 to 10 drops of essential oil to mask the alcohol smell. While I just use a paper towel many recommended using a microfiber cloth helps to eliminate streaks.

One quart spray bottle

1/4 cup Isopropyl rubbing alcohol

1 tsp. Dawn detergent

water to fill bottle

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Comments (5)

Linda
14 years ago
I guess Im in the minority when it comes to my granite. I don't worry about it. When we purchased, I brought up all my concerns about the granite. The kitchen guy would pour orange juice, vinegar etc, whatever he had available in their employee kitchen that concerned me. He let it sit there for hours, (the entire time we were designing the kitchen). Nothing happened. I clean my granite with windex, Mr. Clean, whatever I have. I then polish it with pledge every few weeks. It still looks as good as the day it was installed 7 years ago. As the kitchen guy told me, its rock, granite, if the elements don't hurt it, neither will we.
maire_cate
Original Author
14 years ago
That's true for many granites - but granite is a rock composed of many different elements, stones and minerals and not all of them are as carefree as yours - or mine. Before buying my stone I brought home a 3' slab that was unpolished and unsealed and left it on my counter for a week - to make sure I liked the color but also to test it- we poured vinegar, wine and orange juice and let it sit overnight and we were happy to see that none had been absorbed.
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I think we have gone over board cleaning with chemical cleaners because of the commercials that tell us about e coli and salmonella. I really don't think we need all of the power cleaners we see in ads. When I moved into this new home I had one heck of a time cleaning the bathroom mirrors, there was no way I could get them streak free and I tried the vinegar and newspaper. One day I picked up a hand towel I had just dried my hands on and took a swipe at the mirror wonder of wonders, no streaks when it dried. Now I just use a soft dry towel unless I have something dried on it that needs moisture to clean, then I only use the damp towel. The same with the inside of the car windshield. After I broke my arm and could not clean, I hired a cleaner to come in. I had a slight allergy for 3 weeks as a result of the cleaner and when I was able I started cleaning with with soap and water. Soap and warm water kills the harmful things on our hands, why not on the counter tops and sinks. I never lay raw meat on my counters. I use dish washing liquid in the toilet bowls or old shampoo. I think we have been brain washed by commercials over the years.
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I'd use Method but the price would be x times what I pay for the cheap refill stuff. And I've been looking for Method Granite cleaner too, and there are no Method products on the shelf, either. Lizbeth, I wonder if distribution is regional. Store shelves are empty here. It costs 4.19 for the refill size bottle at Target. And it's $25 at Amazon! I'll keep looking for the recipe. I don't like using anything with ammonia, because other bath/shower mildew cleaners contain bleach.
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glenda_al
14 years ago
Mine is similar:

What you can do is add a quarter cup of isopropyl rubbing alcohol into a quart-size spray bottle - add a couple of drops of liquid dishwashing detergent and then fill this to the top with water.
Jodi_SoCal
14 years ago
I've been using a 50/50 water and rubbing alcohol (no detergent) on my black granite for the last five years with great success. And a micro cloth.

Jodi-
ntt_hou
14 years ago
I'm with Jodi, 50/50 and no detergent. Detergent will eventually leave a film and dull its polished surface.

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