The 6 Best Granite Countertop Cleaners of 2023

Our top pick is the Weiman Daily Disinfectant Granite & Stone Cleaner for its versatility and effectiveness.

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Real Simple / Joy Kim

Cleaning granite countertops is actually a bit different than wiping down glass, metal, or ceramic surfaces in your house. Since it's a natural stone, granite shouldn't be cleaned with a regular all-purpose spray, as it's semi-porous and can erode over time with any acidic cleaning product. Granite should be cleaned with a dedicated cleaner, which is often pH neutral, won't leave a cloudy haze, and will actually help to polish and seal the countertop, prolonging its life and protecting it from stains.

With this in mind, we rounded up the very best granite cleaners specifically formulated for the natural stone. We also spoke to Becky Rapinchuk, founder of the Clean Mama blog and cleaning routine, about what to look for when choosing a granite countertop cleaner for your home.

Read on for our top choices for best-in-class granite countertop cleaners that’ll keep your surfaces haze-free.

Amazon

Who it's for: People looking for a granite cleaner and disinfectant that can be used daily.

Who it isn't for: People who want a plant-based cleaner.

If you’re looking for the industry-standard granite cleaner, this is the one. Compared to some of the natural formulations, this spray is quite affordable, and does a killer job wiping granite clean on a daily basis. This is a heavy duty option though, and should be kept out of reach of children—and be sure to clean the surface with soap and water before prepping meals directly on the surface after you’ve used this.

On the other hand, this spray is powerful and can also be used as a disinfectant, as long as you let the product sit for about five to ten minutes to fully kill any lingering germs. We’d recommend using a microfiber cloth to buff the product out onto the countertop, as this will give the most sparkling finish. This product is also known for its ability to bring out the natural color and veining in stone, so if your counters are in need of a bit of oomph, this is a solid option.

Price at time of publish: $7

Type: Spray | Size: 24 ounce | Surfaces: Non-porous sealed granite, sealed marble, sealed limestone, sealed slate, glazed tile | Scent: Citrus

Real Simple / Joy Kim

Target

Who it's for: People who want a daily spray cleaner that smells fresh and is safe for use around pets and kids.

Who it isn't for: People who want a strong granite polish.

Method products are beloved for a reason: They’re affordable, gently-scented, and pretty enough to leave out on the counter when not in use. Their daily granite cleaner is no exception, and comes in two different fresh scents: Apple Orchard and Mandarin Orange.

It's not as strong of a polish as some of the others on our list, but it's a safe choice for wiping the counters down before cooking and prepping, as well as after dinner, which happens to be one of the eight mini tasks for a cleaner kitchen. If you’re looking to switch the cleaning products in your home over to natural and plant-based formulas, this product is a great place to start.

Price at time of publish: $7

Type: Spray | Size: 28 ounces | Surfaces: Granite, marble, stone | Scent: Apple orchard

Real Simple / Joy Kim

Target

Who it's for: People looking for a plant-based solution to clean and restore the shine of their granite countertops.

Who it isn't for: People who don't want to spend extra on a natural cleaning product.

There are plenty of granite cleaning products you can find on the market, but Therapy Clean's version comes out on top because not only is it an effective cleaner and polish, but it's also made with plant-based ingredients. In fact, it's USDA Certified Biobased, which means that it contains a USDA-verified amount of renewable biological ingredients.

This product is also safe for use on other natural stones, as well as laminate, tile, and concrete, so you’re not limited to just cleaning your countertops with this spray. It also comes with a microfiber cleaning cloth, which is a great reusable option for countertops since it can be tossed in the washing machine and used for a number of cleaning tasks around the house. Buff the product in circular motions with the microfiber cloth for the shiniest finish. Bonus: The gentle lemon essential oil scent leaves the kitchen smelling fresh, too.

Price at time of publish: $20

Type: Spray | Size: 16 ounces | Surfaces: Granite, marble, soapstone, quartz, slate, limestone, corian, laminate, tile, concrete | Scent: Lemon

Real Simple / Joy Kim

Bar Keepers Friend

Who it's for: People who are big fans of the original Bar Keepers Friend, and want the polishing power for their countertops.

Who it isn't for: People who want a freshly scented spray.

If you’ve ever taken the original Bar Keepers Friend to a crusted-over sink or a burnt stainless steel pan, you know this brand means business. While not abrasive like the original formula (which you should not use on granite), this specially-formulated granite and stone cleaner has excellent stain-removal power to buff spilled turmeric or pomegranate juice from lightly-colored natural stone.

However, if you’re looking for a daily cleaning product that has a pleasant fragrance, this one might not be for you, as it's unscented. It can, however, be used daily.

Price at time of publish: $20

Type: Spray | Size: 25.4 ounces | Surfaces: Granite, quartz, silestone, soapstone | Scent: None

Amazon

Who it's for: People want a sealing product to combine with a cleaner.

Who it isn't for: People who don't like a product that dries quickly as you use it.

If you’ve wiped your granite free from dirt, grease, and stains, but you want to use an even more powerful sealer, then this is the product for you. Keep in mind that the counters should be totally clean before using this product, and beware that it dries quickly, so work in small sections, spraying and buffing out with a microfiber cloth.

If you’re not sure that your granite countertops need a resealing, the brand recommends doing "the water test," which entails putting a few drops of water on the granite in several sections, waiting 30 minutes, and checking to see if any of the water has been absorbed. If it has, it's likely time to reseal your counters. To be safe, aim to reseal your granite once a month.

Price at time of publish: $20

Type: Spray | Size: 18 ounces | Surfaces: Quartz, marble, granite, quartzite, soapstone | Scent: None

Tub O’ Towels

Who it's for: People who want an all-in-one granite cleaning product.

Who it isn't for: People who want to cut back on single-use products.

Pre-wet wipes are a fantastic solution if you’re too busy to give your granite the care you’d like, but you still want to maintain a smooth and shiny counter. These wipes clean and polish at the same time, so you can remove dirt and stains while also getting your counters back to their original luster. They even work just as well on formica, ceramic, or fiberglass countertops, should you want to use them in other places in your home.

Price at time of publish: $12

Type: Wipes | Size: 40 count | Surfaces: Granite, quartz, travertine, limestone, onyx, Corian, Formica, Silestone, laminate, porcelain, tile, ceramic, fiberglass (any non-porous hard surface) | Scent: None

Our best overall granite countertop cleaner choice is the Weiman Daily Disinfectant Granite & Stone Cleaner, which is a strong and effective cleaner and disinfectant. While it's a powerful product that should be treated with care, it can't be beaten in terms of quality and value.

Cleaning is actually quite different from disinfecting, which can get even more confusing when products claim to do both. According to the CDC, cleaning refers to the removal of germs, dirt, and impurities from surfaces. It does not kill germs, but by removing them, it lowers their numbers and the risk of spreading infection. Disinfecting, on the other hand, actually kills germs on surfaces. If you’re looking for a product that cleans and disinfects, we’d suggest the Weiman Daily Disinfectant Granite & Stone Cleaner. Just be sure to follow the directions exactly, and leave the product sitting wet on your counters for five to ten minutes before wiping off to ensure germs are fully killed.

Natural stone also needs to be polished from time to time to retain its original shine and sparkle, which is often followed by a resealer that helps prevent stains and dirt settling in the natural stone in the first place. Some products clean and polish simultaneously, like the Therapy Clean Granite & Stone Cleaner and Polish Kit, but others, like the Method Daily Granite Cleaner are really better for just daily cleaning without worrying about damaging your counters. In order to protect your counters from potential stains, we’d recommend sealing them (once a month is ideal) with a product specifically intended to create a barrier between porous stone and anything that might get on it, like the Trinova Granite Sealer & Protectant.

Some multipurpose cleaners can be used on granite, but be sure to check the label before doing so—according to Rapinchuk, multipurpose cleaners made with vinegar, citric acid, or any other acidic ingredients can erode granite countertops over time, resulting in a dull, unprotected surface.

If you’re looking to get your granite clean and shiny in a pinch, Rapinchuk's favorite daily cleaning formula is combining 1.5 cups water, 2 tablespoons rubbing alcohol, and 0.25 teaspoons castile or dish soap. "Pour in a spray bottle, spray on counters, and wipe clean," she advises, with no rinsing necessary.

Yep! Every granite cleaner on our list is also formulated for other types of sealed natural stone as well, like quartz, marble, Corian, travertine, terrazzo, slate, and limestone. Since they’re made without acidic ingredients, they’re also largely safe for use on laminate, ceramic, and fiberglass, too.

Cleaning products do expire, according to Brian Sansoni, senior vice president of communications, outreach & membership at the American Cleaning Institute (ACI). "Even if they contain preservatives," he says, "that doesn't mean they last forever. As they begin to break down, it might affect how well the enzymes work or change the pH, resulting in a less effective product."

This article was written by Caroline Mullen, a home writer and editor with over five years of experience writing and testing home products. She has lost track of just how many spray cleaners she's tried over the years, but it's left her with a deep knowledge of the space. She spent quite a bit of time researching the best granite countertop cleaners, comparing ingredient lists, usages, and more. Plus, she has granite countertops herself, so she's personally familiar with the product space. For expert advice on cleaning granite countertops, she also interviewed Becky Rapinchuk, founder of the Clean Mama blog and cleaning routine.