Krissia García, CEO and founder of KrissKlean, says cleaning stone requires special care. “We can’t use any strong supplies because it scratches easily and gets damaged.” She recommends using just a rag or microfiber cloth when cleaning, as it’s effective, doesn’t leave behind lint or streaks, and doesn’t cause chaos. “No sponge or you can damage the marble!” Our top pick, the Weiman Granite Cleaner and Polish for Daily Use, is effective, safe for food surfaces, and easy to apply. It’s also an affordable option that you can find on most store shelves or online. Here are the best cleaners for granite and other natural stone surfaces. For an effective product that polishes granite and leaves a lasting shine with routine use, the Weiman granite cleaner and polish can’t be beat. Not only is it affordable and effective, you can find it in most supermarkets and mainstream retailers in the cleaning products aisle, or order it online. While it is very effective for granite, you can also use it on other surfaces to disinfect and clean, including marble, soapstone, quartz and quartzite, slate, limestone, corian, laminate, and tile. It is safe for use in the kitchen, bathroom, or any other place that you need to clean. To use it, just spray the cleaner directly onto the surface and wipe the excess away with a clean cloth. It has a slight citrus scent that is refreshing, especially in a kitchen. If you have grease messes, you may need to apply this cleaner multiple times or use a heavy-duty degreaser that is safe for granite. Weiman’s granite cleaner and polish is honestly better for daily use and upkeep. You should make sure that your surface is sealed before using, however. The cleaner isn’t suitable for porous surfaces because it will soak in and not be effective. It can even damage non-sealed surfaces. We always recommend testing cleaners on a small, inconspicuous area first. But, we have not run up against a sealed stone that the Weiman’s granite cleaner can’t tackle. Price at time of publish: $14 Keep in mind that this is not a degreaser and can’t handle heavy messes, such as grease and grime buildup in ovens or on stovetops. While it will clean the surface and create a streak-free shine, if you have baked-on messes or grease, you will need to remove those first. The Formula 409 is better for small spills when cleaned immediately, and to clean the countertop. It also doesn’t disinfect like some other cleaners on the market and on this list. Price at time of publish: $15 These granite cleaner wipes aren’t necessarily a replacement for regular, thorough granite cleaning. Most users find them to be effective for quick touch-ups, but impractical to use as your only cleaning product. You can expect to use several if you plan to clean up a large area, which makes them a little pricey in the minds of some users. Price at time of publish: $5 The included microfiber cloth adds to the overall price, but is very effective and also in line with García’s guidance. You can use a paper towel or rag with the polish, which is cheaper, but the dual-sided cloth cleans stains and residue with one side and buffs to a streak-free shine with the other. If you want the best tools along with an effective polish, it’s worth the slightly higher cost for this kit. Price at time of publish: $18 For the best results, the company recommends using the Trinova granite sealer and protector at least once per month. Because it is expensive, you may prefer to use a more affordable cleaner daily and add the Trinova into your cleaning rotation periodically to keep your countertops sealed. If your countertops absorb water or other liquids, it is essential to reseal them. This is a much easier and cheaper option than having them professionally sealed. Price at time of publish: $20 The lemon scent is mild compared to many other scented cleaners and made with essential oils, which is one reason we like it for daily use. Rather than using harsher formulas regularly, you will be happy with this plant-based formula that is cruelty-free. It is a bit expensive, but not so pricey that you can’t use it daily. Buying the 2-pack also saves you money. Price at time of publish: $25 Notably, the formula isn’t strong enough to be very effective on the worst messes and grease, but is a great everyday choice for upkeep and polishing. The spray bottle holds 16 ounces of cleaner, but you can also purchase gallon-sized refills. This cuts down on plastic waste and allows you to reuse the spray bottle you already have. As long as it remains in workable condition, you will be happy that you are also keeping waste out of the landfill with your cleaning routine. Price at time of publish: $13 While it is unscented, the chemical odor can be a bit strong, so try it out in a ventilated area first if you are sensitive to fragrances. While the cleaner does enhance your countertop’s protective barrier, you should only use it on sealed surfaces. With regular use, it will lead to fewer stains, and those that do occur will be easier to clean. Price at time of publish: $20 While it won’t harm most bathroom fixtures and finishes, it may not be the most effective cleaner for stainless steel or chrome. Make sure you test it in a small, inconspicuous area first before spraying it over the entire surface. It does work well on glass and even delivers a streak-free shine when used with a soft cloth or paper towel. Price at time of publish: $13
Formula and Ingredients
Look for a granite cleaner that is mild and pH-balanced for natural stone. Chemical ingredients and acids can damage the stone or the finish. Effective granite cleaners are often more gentle than mainstream cleaners in general, and there are even eco-friendly options, like the Better Life Natural Granite and Stone Cleaner, available. They may just require extra elbow grease on your part. If you do damage the finish, it can be costly to repair and sometimes cannot be fixed at all. Because of this, we always recommend testing a new cleaner in an inconspicuous area before applying it to the entire surface.
Application Method
When using a spray cleaner, you will need a separate cleaning cloth or paper towel. We prefer a microfiber cloth for the best streak-free shine—per Krissia García’s, CEO and founder of KrissKlean, advice. Paper towels are also effective, although you should expect to go through a lot of them when cleaning a large surface. Wipes do not require these application tools but are more expensive themselves. García does not recommend using a sponge on granite as it can damage the surface.
Scent
Many granite cleaners use a citrus-based scent, which works very well when cleaning kitchen and bathroom countertops. Some are unscented, but can still have a chemical smell that some people find unappealing. If you are sensitive to fragrances, consider a cleaner that uses essential oils or is unscented.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was researched and written by Katie Begley, a freelance writer specializing in home and family products. Katie has been writing for The Spruce since 2019. To compile this list, she considered products she had used and tested, as well as insight from expert cleaner Krissia García, CEO and founder of KrissKlean. Gentle ingredients and tools that would not damage delicate natural stone surfaces were the most important factor. Using a daily cleaner formulated for granite can prolong the need to reseal. Put a few drops of water onto the surface to see if it is time to reseal. If they soak in within 30 minutes, you need to reseal the granite. If they bead up on the surface, the protective layer is still effective.
