March 6, 2014
DIY Granite Cleaner
With all this talk about counters this week I thought it would be fun to share a simple (effective and natural) granite cleaner you can make yourself. A version of this recipe is also in my book – if you like this recipe, you’ll LOVE my book! If you have granite or marble counters you know that they take a little more care because they can stain easily if you spill on them and don’t get it cleaned up right away. 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 soap and water. This recipe is a little 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. If you want to leave out the rubbing alcohol you can, just up the castile soap to 1/2 teaspoon. The reason you can’t use vinegar on stone counters is that the vinegar has a pH and over time 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:
- 3 Tablespoons rubbing alcohol
- 2 cups water
- 1/4 teaspoon castile soap (citrus orange is my favorite)
Tools:
- measuring cup
- measuring spoon
- microfiber or a cleaning cloth
- funnel
- clean and empty spray bottle
Combine ingredients, close spray bottle, shake, and clean.
It’s important to clean granite (or marble) in small sections (a 4 foot square area is good) to minimize the time that any liquid sits on the surface. I love microfiber cloths and cotton dish cloths for my granite.
My book, The Organically Clean Home, includes a version of this recipe and many more amazing cleaning recipes, tips, and tricks!
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Jen Says
I’m assuming the citrus is ok to use? I’m afraid the acidity will harm the granite?
Becky Says
Post authorCastile soap is safe to use on granite – it has a pH of 8 (almost neutral) and the citrus is sourced as essential oil. I wouldn’t use lemon juice, but 1/4 teaspoon in 2 cups of water is a-okay. You could also use a different scent of castile soap if you’d prefer but most mild soaps are a 7 or an 8 on the pH scale. Hope this helps! Happy Cleaning! xo, Becky
Jen Says
Thanks, Becky! Will definitely give this a try 🙂
Trina S Says
Dr Bronner’s Castile soap has pH of 8.9, according to LisaBronner.com.
Gina Says
Congrats on your book, I’m so happy for you! Just had a quick question…the Dr. Bonner people use 1/4 c in a quart bottle with the rest filled with water. Do you think that’s too much?
Becky Says
Post authorThanks Gina!
Is that for a granite cleaner? I like this ratio because it isn’t too soapy and can just be wiped clean without rinsing. You could try it both ways and see which one you prefer 🙂
xo, Becky
Jan Says
It’s 1/4 teaspoon of soap not 1/4 cup
Gina Says
Thanks Becky! Yes, it was for a multi purpose cleaner but specifically mentioned using it on her granite 🙂 The last thing I want is to clean up suds LOL Thanks so much, Happy Thursday!
Jeanette Says
Where do you find castile soap, the empty bottles and the cute labels? (sorry for so many questions.) 🙂
Becky Says
Post authorI ordered the castile soap and bottles from Amazon – see the sidebar for direct links – the labels are from Staples, Martha Stewart chalkboard labels.
xo, Becky
Jeanette Says
Thanks!! 🙂
Sarah Says
You can get Dr bronners at target
Susan Says
I think you should recheck your information on the pH of Dr. Bronners. I believe the pH is closer to or higher than 9. I would stick with a gentle dish soap like regular blue Dawn.
Becky Says
Post authorSusan – Dr. Bronner’s is a mild soap. The pH of most mild dish soaps is between 7 and 8. Dr. Bronner’s ranges from 8-8.9. It is safe to use any mild soap with water on your granite counters – feel free to use Dawn or any other mild soap that you like 🙂 My preference is Dr. Bronner’s – it’s wonderful!
xo, Becky
Brenda Says
Would this be safe to use on Quartz counters as well?
Thanks!
amy Says
Yes this would be ok for quartz counters.
Kristi Says
Hi Becky! I am so looking forward to your book. I’m wondering, I have corian countertops, would this be a good cleaner to use on that as well? I rent this house and I notice the counters look hazy and dull no matter what I use. I just want to find something that gets it clean but won’t ruin the surface. If that makes any sense! Lol 🙂
Michelle Says
Love your blog! Do you think the alcohol is enough to act as a disinfectant?
Thanks!
Sharon Hines Says
I used a similar recipe on my granite…and it cleans really well.
Kristy @ The Life She Made Says
I think this would work a treat. I have used neat rubbing alcohol before and it’s been great for leaving a streak free finish (not as great for breaking down grease, which is where the soap comes in.)
I have a black granite countertop and it does my head in with the streaks and I have actually found the best is a microfiber cloth for glass with nothing but the hottest water from the tap does the best job for streaks. If it’s a bit greasy, I just squirt a tiny drop of dishsoap and hot water into a sponge/scourer and go over any greasy/sticky bits first. The less soap I use the better the result seems to be.
shana Says
Would this be good to use on Quartz as well?
Becky Says
Post authorYes!
Pattie Says
Do you have a suggestion as to what to use to seal granite counter tops? The manufacturer recommends a petroleum base product that smell toxic. I would love to find something that is natural to seal them instead. Please let me knoe if you have a recipe for that! Thanks, Pattie
Barbara Says
After much research I ordered a Dupont countertop sealer. It’s expensive, but highly rated.
Keri Says
I have unscented Castile Soap but would like to add a scent to this mixture. Can I add a drop or two of essential oils or will that make it unsafe for the granite? I also want to use this on my marble in my bathrooms.Thanks!
Becky Says
Post authorA drop or two is fine 🙂
Naomi Bryan Says
Hi. Just saw you on tv and immediately came to your site. So, you spray the concoction (for the granite counter tops) on and then wipe it off with the microfiber cloth and that’s it or is the microfiber wet or what? Thanks for the clarification. Naomi
Becky Says
Post authorHi Naomi! I like to use a barely damp microfiber cloth with the cleaner but it will work with a dry microfiber cloth as well.
xo
Kim Says
Do you think this would be safe for corian counters as well? I would love to find an all natural product that is also disinfecting (something I can use to sanitize the counters after making chicken, beef, etc.) I’m a Clorox wipe addict but trying to break the habit and go more natural. Thanks!!
Becky Says
Post authorAbsolutely! Test in a small spot just to make sure 🙂
John Says
Do you recommend your granite formula for other types of natural stone? I’m looking for one multi-purpose cleaner for all the types of natural stone in my house: granite, marble, slate and river rock.
Becky Says
Post authorYes, you can use it on other natural stone as well – test in a small, inconspicuous spot just to make sure 🙂
John Says
Cool! 😉
B Says
Hi,
I couldn’t find the citrus scented Bronner’s at my store so I opted for the peppermint and lavender. Are these both safe for granite and marble?
I’m so excited to receive your book. Now I’m waiting very impatiently for Amazon. Grrr.
Thanks for all the tips!
Becky Says
Post authorThese will be fine with the granite 🙂
B Says
I forgot to ask above if instead of using Bronner’s if I could use Dawn and then add 2 drops of sweet orange essential oil. Since it’s essential oil and not the juice is the pH still ok?
Thanks!
Becky Says
Post authorYou can substitute the Dawn in place of Dr. Bronner’s, but the castile soap will be a little more mild…the oil will not affect the pH because it’s such a trace amount.
Jamie Says
I’m new to your blog and am loving it! I’ve always been a Clorox user, but am trying to switch over to more natural cleaners. I have granite kitchen counters and need a cleaner to disinfect after cutting up chicken, etc. (I also have granite counters in my kids’ bathroom and need a cleaner for that, though I’m assuming I could use the same one from the kitchen.) I just need it strong enough to kill anything left over from raw meats. Thanks!!
Becky Says
Post authorYes you can!
Jamie Says
Actually, Becky, I think the last concoction I made was 1/2 water and 1/2 rubbing alcohol w/ some drops of essential oil thrown in there. Do you think I need to do that or do you think your concoction above will suffice in killing anything left over on the granite from raw meat? (Also, can I use Palmolive instead of Castille?) Thanks for your time!!
Becky Says
Post authorI think that would be fine and yes, you can use regular dish soap as well 🙂
Jamie Says
I’m sorry for all hte questions, Becky! Did you mean your recipe would be good for cleaning up after raw chicken on the granite counter, or did you mean I should use 1/2 water + 1/2 rubbing alcohol? Thank you!
VICKIE Says
I like your disinfecting spray for cleaning the bathroom but I have stone and granite. Could I use this cleaner instead for
the whole bathroom? Don’t want to carry around 2 cleaners. Thank you.
Becky Says
Post authorYes, you could!
carmen Says
made this today and used eucalyptus castile soap – loving the scent and the way it cleans. thanks!
Mariann R Says
This cleaner works sooooo much better than any store bought. It is so economical and I love the fact that I can use Castile soap. I use castile for many other things and am very happy with it. I put a few drops of essential oil in my cleaner. Use this per the directions and your granite will be clean and shiny. No streaks or residue.
shana Says
Does this mixture get rid of bacteria, especially from uncooked chicken?
thanks!
Krista Says
I have your book and I am looking for clarification. This recipe in your book says it makes 8oz but it calls for two cups of water which equal 16oz. So I am guessing it actually makes 16 oz or it uses just one cup of water.
Becky Says
Post authorHi Krista! The recipe in my book calls for 2 cups of water – this recipe is just slightly different 🙂
Laura Van Der Wende Says
What percentage of rubbing alcohol do you use?
b r Says
Post author70%
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