April 13, 2016
DIY Cleaners : Marble + Granite Cleaning Spray
This isn’t the first time I’ve shared this recipe on the blog and a version of this recipe is also in my book, but since I use it multiple times a day on my kitchen counters I thought it might be time to re-share this recipe. It’s easily one of my favorites!
If you have granite or marble counters you know that they take a little more care to clean up any spills right away and you also have to be very careful to use only ingredients that are safe to use on them. Most countertop manufacturers and installers recommend just using dish soap and water, which I use regularly to clean my counters, but I do like a good spray cleaner 🙂 This recipe is a twist on the soap and water but I’ve added a little rubbing alcohol – the reason for this is 3-fold: (1) alcohol kills germs, (2) alcohol helps the water to dry a little more quickly, (3) alcohol is pH neutral – it has the same acidity of water. You can’t use vinegar on stone counters because the vinegar has a pH and over time it will etch away at the finish of your stone. Not good. Give this recipe a try – you’ll love how quick it is to mix up and how easy it is to use.
Gather your ingredients and tools…
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 tablespoons rubbing alcohol
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 1 teaspoon castile or dish soap (if you want your spray to smell like your dish soap, use that)
TOOLS:
- measuring cup
- measuring spoon
- funnel – this just makes it easier to pour liquid ingredients into a spray bottle
- spray bottle
Combine ingredients, close spray bottle, shake, and CLEAN!
You can purchase the recipe label, spray bottle, and aqua (or white) bar mop towels in my shop, Clean Mama Home.
More posts in this series – just click on the image to go to the post:
Kim Says
This is my favorite granite cleaner! Do you have any suggestions for cleaning the mineral deposits that are starting to form around my kitchen faucet? I know I’m not supposed to use vinegar on granite, and I haven’t found anything that will dissolve them.
Thanks!
Becky Says
Post authorThanks Kim! Just be careful around the granite – you can soak a paper towel or rag with vinegar and lay it on the fixture and let it sit for 30 minutes or so and the deposit will be dissolved.
Katie Picciottoli Says
I like to dry it really well the use painters tape and plastic wrap to cover the granite. Then I carefully use a mineral remover.
Ettrenthem Says
I really love all of your tips and trix! Thanks for a great blog!
Natalie Says
Thanks for sharing! Would it be safe to add any essentially oils to this? Not sure about their safety w natural stone.
Becky Says
Post authora drop or two would be fine – I find that the soap is enough scent 🙂
Kelly Says
Is this effective on things like raw meat juice etc? That’s always my concern. Thanks!
Becky Says
Post authorI’d use this on meat juice:
http://www.cleanmama.net/2016/04/disinfect-with-hydrogen-peroxide.html
Britt Says
Is this ok for granite, though? On the post you linked it specifically says not to use hydrogen peroxide on granite because of the acidity level… Is there something else you suggest? THANKS!
Iris Says
There is no peroxide. It uses rubbing alcohol!
Lau Says
I have the same question. What would you use for meat juice on granite?
Kelly Says
Do you know of any recipes that can be used on granite and is effective on meat juice and other kitchen germs? Thanks
Sabby Says
How long can this mixture be stored in the spray bottle?
Becky Says
Post authora month or two
Anne Brauner Says
Aqua has to be my favorite color and I just love the Aqua colored Bar Towels. Do you treat them any differently when you launder them?
Yesim Peddy Says
I feel like this cleaner does get my counters clean but it seems to leave a film on my granite. Is this cleaner specifically for deep cleaning and not for shining? Just curious. I love your recipes!
Becky Says
Post authorTry it and see what you think – I use if for both deep and regular cleaning 🙂
Melissa Says
I’ve made this a couple of times and found my mixture to be cloudy. It doesn’t bother me but does that see normal to you?
Becky Says
Post authorI haven’t had that issue – it could be the castile soap? You can try using dish soap instead or make sure you are using filtered water.
Chelsea Says
Is it really cold where you are? Sometimes the temperature can make the soap cloudy.
Tracy Says
Just bought your book, and my sweet 11 yo dd and I have already poured over it, ordered and received beautiful new glass spray bottles, and made a few of your DIY cleaning recipes 🙂 So much fun!
We just underwent a major bath and kitchen remodel and have travertine countertops in the master and powder baths. Is this granite/marble cleaner okay to use on travertine counters?
Also wondering if you happen to know if it is okay on Cosentino Eco countertops, which we now have in our kitchen.
Thanks a ton!
Michele Says
I have pet urine on my marble in front of the fireplace. Do you know if this would work or should I try something else?
Becky Says
Post authorIt should!
Deborah Glauser Says
I have a pebbled shower floor with colored grout that is now showing white like hard water stains. I’ve tried lemon juice, vinegar & others but it’s getting worse. Any suggestions? Thanks!!
Becky Says
Post authorYou might need to have the grout re-done and sealed…
Brenda Says
Can vodka be used instead of rubbing alcohol?
Becky Says
Post authorI prefer rubbing alcohol in this recipe.
erin north Says
Do you have any suggestions for cleaning travertine In a shower
b r Says
Post authorThis cleaner will work!
Jen Says
Can this be used on Quartz countertops? If not, do you have a cleaner you recommend for Quartz? Thanks!
b r Says
Post authorI’d use this!
Deveri Hudson Says
Hi Becky,
I recently discovered your blog and I’m using your daily shower spray and bathroom cleaner – love them!!
I have limestone in my kitchen; is your granite and marble recipe safe to use on them?
Many thanks,
b r Says
Post authorYes it is and welcome!
Janine Says
Can this be used for Corian countertops?
b r Says
Post authorYes!
sarah Says
This doesn’t need to be rinsed off? Just wiped with a towel?
b r Says
Post authorYes!
daisy Says
can you use peppermint castille soap in this recipe? Would that harm granite? Thank you!
b r Says
Post authorThat’ll work!
Jan Monahan Says
Do you have any ideas to make the marble shine again? It seems dull. Thanks
b r Says
Post authorYou might need to have it re-sealed 🙁
sss Says
Is this cleaner safe on honed granite and honed marble? That is what I have in my kitchen, not the shiny kinds. Thank you.
b r Says
Post authorYes!
Rosanna Says
Does this work on quartz?
b r Says
Post authorYes!
Sadi Says
2 questions:
1. Raw meat on granite.. What do you recommend?
2. Is this safe to use on surfaces where my kiddo eats? If not, what do you recommend?
b r Says
Post authorTry hydrogen peroxide:
https://www.cleanmama.net/2016/04/disinfect-with-hydrogen-peroxide.html
Melissa Says
You write in the post to NOT use it on granite so I’m confused! The poster specifically said to disinfect granite. Is there another option?
b r Says
Post authorI use the marble + granite 🙂
Melissa Says
Ok I’ll stick to that then, thanks!
Amber Houbara Says
Hey! Would it work for Terazzo? I just moved in to a house and I have terazzo in the outdoor kitchen and outdoor baths and sinks. It’s very old and it’s dirty and in some corners moldy (in the sink) is the spray good for cleaning all of it? Would you use a microfiber cloth?
Thank you so much! I love your blogposts! Keep o rockin 😉
b r Says
Post authorYes!
Pingback: 9+ DIYs That'll Make Your Bathroom Look Amazing - This Natural Home
Melissa Says
I noticed that you used 70% alcohol, but I was told to use 91% for my honed marble countertops. Do you know if it matters?
b r Says
Post authorEither will work!
Patty Says
Is this safe for carrera marble bathroom?
b r Says
Post authorYes!
LV Says
Is this sorta okay to use for the rest of the bathroom too? As an all purpose cleaner. My bathroom bar is granite & would like to use sane spray all around.
Jacki Says
Hi I love the idea of this and got bottles + alcohol but I added extra soap and it still smells like alcohol when I spray! I followed your recipe so not sure why I can’t smell the dish soap?? I used Mrs. Meyers FYI. Thanks for any help 🙂
b r Says
Post authorAre you using 70 or 91% rubbing alcohol?
Megan Says
Is this recipe safe on Quartz counter tops?
b r Says
Post authorYes!
Parrish Says
Can you put an essential oil in this for scent? Thanks!
Ami Says
I have a black limestone tile shower. Will this clean soap scum? Should I spray it on and let it sit for 15 minutes before scrubbing?
Clean Mama Says
Post authoryes!
Christine Says
I have granite in my bathrooms. Can this spray be used an all purpose bathroom cleaner? Thx.
Clean Mama Says
Post authorAbsolutely!
Maria Says
Can you use this on quartz?
Clean Mama Says
Post authorAbsolutely!
Alyssa Says
Can you use Sals Suds in place of castile soap for the marble countertop cleaner?
Clean Mama Says
Post authorYes!
Jen M. Says
This is my most favorite cleaner ever!! I use it on everything. I was wondering if it’s better to use distilled water, or does it not matter? Thank you!!!
Clean Mama Says
Post authorMine too! I use filtered but not distilled!
Lesley Says
Hi,
Just a question on the mild soap you use, Dr Bronners castile soap- I went to use it but in the ingredients it says “citric acid”. Is this ok? Can I still use for marble?
Many thanks
Clean Mama Says
Post authorThe citric acid is used as a preservative and poses no issues with stone and marble in its concentration.
Katherine Says
Can I use 70% Isopropyl Alcohol instead of Rubbing Alcohol? I was reading that Rubbing Alcohol is a watered down version of Isopropyl Alcohol. Thanks!
Clean Mama Says
Post authorYes!