Is Windex okay for granite
Emily Dawson
Published Mar 12, 2026
Frequent use of vinegar, Windex or bleach will dull the granite and weaken the sealant. Instead, a little soap and water should do the trick. … Avoid using abrasive pads, as granite can be scratched.
What's the best way to clean granite countertops?
- Don’t use harsh chemicals, acidic cleaners, or abrasive scrubbing tools: Stick with warm water, mild dish soap, and a soft microfiber cloth. …
- Wipe up spills as soon as possible: Granite isn’t as porous as marble, so it’s less susceptible to soaking up oils and stains.
Is Windex bad for countertops?
Quartz Countertop Cleaners to Avoid Why? Windex has a high pH level, making it potentially damaging to a manmade material such as quartz. Vinegar is very acidic and can cause the quartz to discolour or disintegrate. If you need to use vinegar for cleaning quartz, always make sure you dilute it with water.
What cleaner can you not use on granite?
Windex; acidic cleaners, like vinegar, lemon, lime; or anything with ammonia or bleach should be avoided. Frequent use of these chemicals will dull and weaken the sealant over time. Basically, the harsher the cleaner, the quicker it will break down the sealant.Can I use Lysol wipes on granite?
Lysol. You should not use Lysol on your granite countertops, backsplashes or vanity tops. The cleaner contains harsh ingredients that can cause your sealer to lose its effectiveness. In specific, scents such as lemon contain citric acid, so you need to keep away from those.
Can you use Pine Sol on granite?
Dilute ¼ cup of Pine-Sol® in a gallon of warm water. Wipe down granite with a sponge or mop soaked in the solution. Scrub stubborn stains with full strength Pine-Sol®. Use a cleaning brush or plastic scrub pad rather than a harsh scouring pad, which can scratch unsealed granite.
What is the best homemade cleaner for granite?
Pour one-half cup of rubbing alcohol, one-half teaspoon of dish soap, and one-and-a-half cups of warm water into the spray bottle. The disinfecting properties of alcohol, coupled with the de-greasing powers of dish soap, will deliver a one-two punch to banish bacteria and grime from the granite surface.
Are disinfecting wipes safe on granite?
You should avoid using acid-based cleaners — lemon, orange, vinegar or bleach-based — on granite. … That means those Clorox disinfecting wipes (which contain citric acid) that make cleanup so easy are actually quite bad for your granite’s seal.Can I use Clorox cleaner on granite?
Answer. Yes, Clorox® Regular-Bleach2 is safe for sealed granite countertops. Remember, bleach should never be used full strength for cleaning any surface — it should always be diluted with water first. For disinfecting countertops, use a solution of 1/2 cup Clorox® Regular-Bleach2 per gallon of water.
Can Simple Green be used on granite?After cleaning, you’ll want to polish with a product that won’t leave behind residue or streaks. Simple Green Granite & Stone Polish is safe for use on granite, marble, travertine, limestone, porcelain, ceramic, quartz, Corian®*, Silestone®*, and other natural and engineered stone surfaces.
Article first time published onCan you use ammonia free Windex on granite?
Glass Cleanser: Glass cleaners such as Windex may look like a good choice to use on the glossy finish of your granite counter. … So, even if your granite is installed in a bathroom, avoid using traditional bathroom cleansers like this when the time comes to clean your stone.
Is Dawn dish soap safe for granite countertops?
Repeated use of soapy water will cause build-up and dull your countertop’s shine, even though dish soap won’t permanently damage your granite. It’s not a good idea to regularly use dish soap to clean granite countertops.
Can you put hot pans directly on granite?
Homeowners don’t need to worry about damaging their countertops with everyday use because granite is quite heat resistant. Placing a hot pan on a well-maintained granite slab will not cause it to crack or weaken. Just remember that repeatedly placing a very hot pan on the same spot may cause granite to discolor.
Can I use Scrubbing Bubbles on granite?
To maintain the shine and to protect your cultured marble product, only use liquid cleaners such as Scrubbing Bubbles, Lysol Basin Tub & Tile Cleaner, or Scrub-Free Soap Scum Remover. It is not recommended that you use any abrasive cleansers like Soft Scrub, powdered Comet, or Ajax.
Can I spray Lysol on my granite countertops?
Caring for your Granite Product. Clean the countertop daily with a soft white cloth and a neutral cleaner or household detergent such as Dove. Household cleaning products including Windex, Lysol Disinfectant and 409 can be used, but may leave a film. … Granite countertops are generally sealed at the time of fabrication.
How do you make granite shine like new?
Make a mixture of three parts baking soda to one part warm water, and combine until smooth. Apply a thin layer of the paste to your granite surface, and gently buff with a clean cloth. Wipe away any residue with a damp cloth and dry the granite for a smooth, shiny surface.
How do you clean granite countertops yourself?
- 1/4 cup alcohol — rubbing or cheap vodka.
- 3 drops of dish or Castile soap.
- Water.
- 5-10 drops of your favorite essential oil.
How do I clean a cloudy granite countertop?
Homemade Cleaner with Liquid Dish Detergent The minerals in hard water can leave streaks or build-up on the slick stone surface, which means the granite looks cloudy. Add 1 tablespoon of liquid dish soap to 1 gallon of warm water and mix until suds form. This can be used daily without harming the granite countertop.
Can you use baby wipes on granite?
Probably one of the easiest items to use are wipes—which are particularly popular for brands such as Clorox or Lysol. Sure, they are convenient, but you should keep them far away from your granite countertops. … Apparently, the best way to clean granite countertops is using hot water and dish soap.
How do I disinfect my countertops naturally?
White vinegar is a natural disinfectant. It contains 5% acetic acid, which has antimicrobial properties. It’s also great at cutting through grease and grime, so it’s perfect for cleaning kitchen surfaces like stovetops, tables, and counters.
Is Soft Scrub safe for granite countertops?
Soft Scrub Multi-Surface Gel cleans and polishes granite and marble countertops, glass cooktops, and stainless steel sinks and appliances. It’s tough on stains, yet gentle on even the most delicate surfaces. This kitchen cleaner is an easy-to-use gel, so rinsing isn’t necessary!
What will damage granite countertops?
- Working With Raw Meat on a Granite Countertop. …
- Storing Acidic Things on Your Granite Countertop. …
- Letting Spills Remain on a Granite Countertop. …
- Using Knives Directly on the Granite. …
- Putting Hot Pans on Your Countertop. …
- Sitting or Standing on Your Granite Countertop.
How do you disinfect kitchen countertops?
Spray your counters with isopropyl rubbing alcohol (at least 70%). Wipe them down with a clean microfiber cloth. Dry your counters with a dry microfiber cloth.
Can you use Meyers cleaner on granite?
The next product you should consider using on your granite countertops is Mrs. Meyers Countertop Spray. … It is safe to use on granite, and can be found online for a low price.
Is rubbing alcohol safe for granite countertops?
The best alternative, when you need to disinfect natural stone countertops, is rubbing alcohol with 70% or higher alcohol content. Alcohol is relatively neutral in pH, so it won’t etch marble or softer granites.
Can you use Bar Keepers Friend soft cleanser on granite?
Bar Keepers Friend Granite & Stone Cleaner & Polish is specially formulated for use on smooth, polished stone – including granite, marble, and quartz. Its pH-balanced formula won’t scratch or mar stone finishes, and it’s gentle enough to use every day.
What is the best cleaner for quartz counters?
Create a simple disinfectant using 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol and two cups water in a spray bottle. You may wish to add 1-2 drops of essential oils to add a nice smell to the mixture. Spray the countertops down, making sure to cover the entire surface. Allow the cleaning solution to sit for 2-3 minutes.
How do you clean granite or marble?
For stains on granite or marble countertops, clean with a paste of baking soda and water (for oil-based stains) or hydrogen peroxide (for water-based stains). Apply the paste to the stain, cover with plastic wrap, and tape down the edges.
How often do you need to seal granite countertops?
If the granite surface immediately takes in most of the water and develops a dark mark or ring, you need to seal it once every few months. If it takes a few minutes for your stone countertop to soak up all the water, you only need to seal it once every year or two.
Why does my granite look cloudy?
Film on granite countertops that is often described as “cloudy” is usually due to lapses in maintenance or improper technique with your cleaning materials or application.
Can you cut on granite?
So while you can cut and chop directly on your granite surface, unless you want to replace your lovely Laguiole knives on a regular basis, your best bet is to use a cutting board. … Granite does a very good job of standing up to scratches, acids, heat, and cold. But remember that your granite countertop is an investment.