This homemade granite cleaner is all-natural with non-toxic ingredients, and is completely safe for granite and other stone surfaces!
Quick check before you clean:
Sprinkle a few drops of water on your counter — if it beads up, your sealer is intact and this cleaner is perfect. If the water soaks in, your granite needs resealing first (every 1–3 years is normal); cleaning unsealed stone with anything wet can drive stains deeper.
If you’ve used my homemade floor cleaner, you know it doubles as an all-purpose cleaner for almost every surface in the kitchen.
However, there’s one surface it can’t go on: granite. The vinegar in that recipe is acidic, and over time acid etches the sealer on granite (and any natural stone), leaving dull patches and water stains.
We just moved into a place with granite countertops, and I needed a non-toxic cleaner that wouldn’t damage them. This one is essentially the floor cleaner minus the vinegar; alcohol does the heavy lifting instead. It disinfects, dries fast, cuts grease, and dries streak-free.
The smell is strong on its own, so I always add essential oils—tea tree + eucalyptus is my go-to, but lavender or peppermint work great too.
Pair it with a microfiber cloth and you’re done. No rinse needed, no streaks, no etching.
First, What Not to Use on Granite
Before we get to the recipe, a quick heads-up: most “all-purpose” cleaners will slowly destroy your granite’s sealer. Vinegar, lemon juice, ammonia, and bleach are all common culprits. They’re acidic or harsh enough to etch the protective coating, leaving dull patches and water stains over time.
The fix is simple: use a pH-neutral cleaner (like the one below) and your countertops will look new for decades.
Homemade Natural Granite Cleaner
Equipment
Ingredients
- ¼ cup isopropyl alcohol aka rubbing alcohol or surgical spirits
- 3-5 drops liquid castile soap or any dish soap
- 5-10 drops essential oil optional
- 1 ½ cups distilled water distilled is best, but filtered tap water is fine for short term storage
Instructions
- Add alcohol, dish soap, and essential oils to a spray bottle, and swirl to combine.
- Add water, and shake to mix thoroughly.
- Spray onto granite counters and wipe away with a microfiber cloth.
Notes
Variation: Want to skip the alcohol?
You can, but I wouldn’t just leave it out of this recipe. Without alcohol, the ratios are off and you’ll get a weak, streaky cleaner that won’t disinfect. Instead, use my simple all-purpose cleaner—it’s built around more soap to clean well without needing alcohol, and it’s safe on granite for everyday wipe-downs.
Prefer to buy instead of DIY?
Sometimes it’s nice to skip the prep work! Here are some quality options we love and use ourselves.
Eco-Me Granite & Marble Cleaner
Eco-Me makes plant-based cleaners free from harsh chemicals and synthetic fragrances. Their granite and marble cleaner is gentle enough for natural stone surfaces like marble and granite, yet effective at cutting through grease and grime. Just spray and wipe for a streak-free shine without worrying about damaging your countertops.
Hi,
Thank you for this recipe. I have 2 questions
1) Is the rubbing alcohol safe to be touching food, and is it safe to be near heating source?
2) Can this recipe be made ahead of time and put in a spray bottle, and then just remake after the spray bottle is empty?
Thank you very much!!
Hi Anny, since the alcohol evaporates almost immediately, it won’t be in contact with food. And as long as you’re not spraying it while the heat source is on, it should be fine. To be safe, I would wait until the counter is completely dry before turning on the stove. And yes, the recipe can definitely be made ahead of time. You’re very welcome!
Will this work on leathered granite. Does it disolve the sealer?
I’m not sure as I’ve never heard of or had leathered granite. You can always just use a simple all-purpose cleaner like this one which is soap and water.
When we had new granite counters put in, I decided I was finished with having a messy kitchen. What is the point of having beautiful new counter tops if they are perpetually covered by stuff left out? I put the principles in this article to work, and they were life changing for me. My kitchen counters only have two things on them: the microwave and coffee pot. Everything else – including that toaster! – gets put away when we are done. (It only takes me 10 seconds to get it out or put it away, and that 10 seconds is well worth the clear expanse of counter I get in return.) Every time I walk into the kitchen now, I feel so happy because I love what I see. Implementing these rules wasn’t hard but it has made a big difference.
I love the cleaner for my quartz counter tops. been using vinegar for years in my day to day cleaning because of my sensitivity to fragrances and chemicals. I literally have sneezing fits when I pass by the cleaning aisles in the stores. I keep a spray bottle in the kitchen and bath.
I even gave a spray bottle with the vinegar, alcohol, water mixture to my friend to use on her tile floors after her little dog (19 years old and blind) has occasional accidents. It not only cleans but helps eliminate pet odors and helps as a deterrent because pets don’t like the smell of vinegar.
Excellent! Thanks for sharing, Caroline!
I just made this for my granite, I used a few drops of each lemon, lime and some grapefruit essential oils my counters are shiny and my kitchen smells nice. Thanks!
I haven’t tried yours but for many years I have made a cleaner out of alcohol, water and ammonia. Will this be OK for granite counters?
From what I understand, ammonia would be too strong for granite and can eat away at the seal over time.
I need help during this awful time. I have a very large ceramic tile floor throughout most go my home. should I use the alcohol. filtered water and liquid castile soap to clean it? I have no essential oil and cannot go shopping. i am 80 years old. thank you
Hi Gloria, yes this solution would work for ceramic tile with no problem. You could even leave out the alcohol, if you wanted, and still have a good cleaner.
Wondering if you can mix this up and keep it in a spray bottle over time for multiple uses…or will the alcohol evaporate? Thanks for your reply…
Oh absolutely! The spray bottle is covered the entire time, so the alcohol doesn’t evaporate. 🙂
Easy to mix and use much cheaper than store bought. Cleans almost any surface even glass. I use 91% alcohol any dish soap works. Bronner’s cost to much.
Great! So glad it’s working well for you!
I love this! It makes my granite shine and cleans up all in one step.
So glad you love it!
Does it streak??
Not if you use a microfibre cloth 🙂
Granite or ceramic tiles are not affected by vinigar because vinigar is very weak acid.
I would still caution it, as prolonged use over a long period of time could cause issues with time.
Sam – If you’re going to use a Vinegar based cleaner (commercial or homemade) on Granite or other natural of manmade stone countertops or tiles, once a year, or once every few years, you’ll probably be okay with it. But the effects of using Vinegar (or other acidic or strong chemical based cleaner) for Weekly, daily, or general multiple-times-per-day cleaning is cumulative. A microscopic amount of damage can occur with each use, and over time, with hundreds or thousands of uses, the effects will be noticeable.
The problem is, there are components and particulates (like Lime for example) that can be present within Granite and other stone and composite materials, that are effected (damaged) by acids and solvents and other strong chemicals. Eventually these particulates will be eaten away leaving pitting swirls and streaks that will roughen the surface and allow it to become easily stained.
Ceramic and other glazed materials may hold up better, but the grout and sealer and later the bonding can eventually be effected. Again, light occasional use is probably okay, but not for daily or deep cleaning.
Will this work on stone floor tiles? Also, can this be adapted for use with a mop and bucket, like your other cleaning solution that had the vinegar in it?
Yep, this is safe to use on natural stone tiles. For a mop and bucket solution, I would increase the alcohol to about 1/3 cup + 1 gallon of water + 1 teaspoon dish soap.
Hello Sarah,
Do you have a recipe for granite sealer?
Thanks!
For actually sealing granite? No, I don’t. I’m guessing you’d need a professional for that, no?
I use vodka instead of the isopropyl alcohol. I cannot stand the smell of the isopropyl alcohol. ☺
What kind of alcohol
Regular rubbing alcohol
Such a great and efficient recipe! I just tried it on my mother’s granite counter tops and it’s so good. I’m definitely recommending it to some friends too. Thank you for sharing this great idea!
What alcohol strength do you use?
There are several different amounts on the market
Regular isopropyl alcohol, usually either 70 or 90%
This would be safe on marble as well correct”
I have travertine tile floors and need to know how to clean without leaving a film.
I have travertine tile floors and need to know how to clean without leaving a film. I also have water and citric stains. Please help.
I have no experience with travertine, but after a quick search I learned that it does best with a pH neutral cleaner, so this granite cleaner would most likely work because isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol has a pH of 7 (neutral). I would still consult with a professional or the manufacturer of your floors. Here’s some info from a building expert: https://www.builddirect.com/learning-center/flooring/travertine-cleaning-maintenance/
You mention dish soap on the recipe but the photo is of castile soap, it is okay to use castile with good results?
Yes, I use castile soap for everything, including where recipes call for dish soap.
Sarah, thank you kindly for sharing this recipe. I’ve been cleaning my granite countertops with white vinegar, and I wasn’t aware that I could be damaging the stone while doing this.
I’m going to try your cleaner but first I wanted to ask if using such a small amount of soap (5 drops?) really made a difference. And also, I don’t have dish soap but I use sal suds to wash my dishes. Could I use the sal suds for this recipe?
I appreciate your comments.
Hey Rosy,
I find that the soap is just enough to help with stuck on grime, but not too much so that it leaves a residue afterwards. Basically, I don’t think you’ll miss it if it’s gone, but it definitely helps. Not sure on the sal suds, as I don’t use it, but I don’t see why not since it is a cleaner.
By the way, how is it going as a dish soap?
Thank you Sarah.
In my opinion, Sal Suds is GREAT for washing the dishes. I use 2 tbsp of Sal Suds in a 12 oz dish soap dispenser. That amount lasts enough to wash all the dishes of one day and a half. We are a family of three adults and one child. Sal Suds cut grease like a charm and my dishes are sparkling clean, no residue. It’s also very gentle on my hands.
The one shortcoming of the Sal Suds is that it’s really expensive here in Mexico, because of the importation procedures and the exchange rates. I’m still on the lookout of natural and cheaper options for dishes, floors, bathrooms, windows and laundry… And that’s where you come in. Thank you again for sharing your knowledge with us.
Keep up the good work : )
This is so cool! Thank you I will recommend this article to all my friends 🙂
You’re welcome, Sonya! And thanks for sharing 🙂
***just an fyi…don’t ever use citrus oils on granite or marble. The acid in them will break down the protective layering of stone. Stick to tea tree or eucalyptus…they have so many amazing cleaning properties!!!
Poradę let me know wiar kind of alcohol did you mean? I live in Europe and I have no idea what it should be
It’s isopropyl alcohol