Granite is a hard natural stone material that resists abrasion well, is strong, and can be polished to a brilliant finish. This makes it an elegant but practical choice for counters in kitchens and bathrooms alike.
How To Care For Granite — What you Need to Know
Granite is tough, but because it is a natural material, it has pores, making it possible for liquids to seep into the granite and cause it to stain. For this reason, a protectant sealant is applied to the surface of the counter to keep the granite looking shiny and clean. To avoid damaging the sealant layer, it is important not to use any abrasive or acidic cleaners, sponges, or cloths on your stone countertops.
You are probably fine to stick to dish soap, water, and a soft sponge for daily care. However, if you want to do a deep clean, disinfect or really keep your granite counters well maintained, you may want to consider using a more specialized granite cleaner.
What are the Best Natural Cleaners for Granite
There are a number of reasons to choose a more natural option when cleaning your granite countertop. Your home is an enclosed space, meaning the if you use overly harsh chemical cleaners, they may linger in your home and affect your well-being.
In addition, using more environmentally safe cleaners is an easy way to do your part for the planet. Environmentally friendly options have come a long way from when they were first introduced. They are now a viable option in comparison to using old-fashioned cleaners that may contain harsh chemicals.
Commercial Natural Cleaner Options
There are many non-natural alternatives out there, but for the sake of this article, we’ve chosen to look at 5 popular natural cleaners.
Using a natural commercial cleaner is probably the easiest, most convenient way to clean your granite countertops as well as being an environmentally friendly option.
Rock Doctor’s Natural Granite Cleaner is our top natural granite cleaner 2021. This product cleans and renews granite surfaces. Using plant-based biodegradable ingredients that are specially formulated not to harm either your stone surfaces or the sealants that may be applied to them. It is safe to use on all types of stone surfaces and does not leave streaks or spots.
Better Life Granite and Stone Cleaner is another natural option. Many reviews of the product state that it does the job, but some people are not fans of the scent and have reported that it leaves streaks.
Method Daily Granite Cleaner has received many positive reviews, particularly for dark-colored granite. The only negative review we could find mentioned that it may be a bit pricier than some other options.
Haus Naturals has received good reviews. However, if you are looking for a 100% natural solution, you should note it lists methylisothizolinone, a widely used preservative, as one of its ingredients.
Granite Gold Daily Cleaner is often sold in a three-pack along with a polish spray and an all-surface cleaner. Although this cleaner is said to work well, the process to use it is a little more complicated. In addition, although it is safe on food-prep surfaces and is non-toxic, non-acidic, ph balanced, and biodegradable, it does not seem to claim to be an “all-natural” solution. According to reviews, this product will maintain, but not restore your counters.
Homemade Granite Cleaners
Many people use vinegar to make a homemade, natural cleaner. Unfortunately, this does not work well for granite. Vinegar is mildly acidic, and because of this, it can weaken the sealant on your counters, causing your counters to look dull, and lose their shine.
If you want to make a basic homemade cleaner, you can try mix rubbing alcohol 50/50 with water and adding an essential oil for a pleasant scent. This will most likely clean your counters, but won’t necessarily make them shine.
Bonus Pro Tip: You may wonder how the pros always seem to make counters look so pristine and shiny. If you crouch down and view your countertops from eye level, through a trick of the light, any spots or crumbs you’ve missed will magically become visible. Try it out, and you will never clean your countertops without doing the “eye-level check” again.
