For a granite kitchen slab, wash with mild dish soap and warm water, wipe with microfiber, rinse, dry, and use a pH-neutral stone cleaner when needed.
Granite stands up to daily cooking, hot pans set on trivets, and quick meal prep. It still needs steady care to keep its seal intact and the surface streak-free. This guide lays out what to use, what to skip, and how to handle stains without scratching or dulling the finish.
Cleaning A Kitchen Granite Slab: Daily To Deep Care
Before you start, clear crumbs, move small appliances, and set aside a clean microfiber towel for drying. Keep a fresh sponge or soft cloth just for stone so grease from other chores doesn’t trail across the surface.
What You Need
- Mild dish soap and warm water
- pH-neutral stone cleaner (ready-to-use spray)
- Microfiber cloths (wash without fabric softener)
- Soft sponge or non-scratch pad
- Optional: 70% isopropyl alcohol for targeted disinfection
Granite Care At A Glance
| Task | What To Use | How Often |
|---|---|---|
| Quick Wipe | Warm water + a drop of dish soap | Daily |
| Rinse & Dry | Clean water, microfiber towel | After each wash |
| Grease Spots | Stone cleaner or soapy sponge | As needed |
| Polish Shine | Stone spray labeled “for granite” | Weekly or as desired |
| Stain Draw-Out | Poultice paste (see below) | Only when stained |
| Seal Check | Water-drop test | Every 3–6 months |
Daily Wash: Streak-Free Routine
- Make a mild mix. Add a small drop of dish soap to warm water. Avoid heavy suds; excess soap leaves haze.
- Wipe in sections. Work a few square feet at a time with a soft sponge.
- Rinse. Pass a cloth dampened with clean water to lift leftover soap.
- Dry right away. Buff with microfiber for a clear, even finish.
This simple cycle keeps grit from scratching and stops minerals in tap water from leaving rings.
When To Use A Stone Cleaner
Reach for a ready-to-use granite spray when cooking splatters leave a film, or when you want a fast shine before guests arrive. Pick a product labeled pH-neutral and made for natural stone. A short mist, a gentle wipe, then a dry buff is enough.
For the science behind neutral cleaners and stone-safe practices, see the Natural Stone Institute care guidance.
What To Avoid So You Don’t Damage The Finish
- Acidic liquids: vinegar, lemon juice, or citrus-based degreasers can attack the seal.
- Harsh chemicals: ammonia, straight bleach, or oven cleaner can dull or discolor.
- Abrasives: scouring powder, steel wool, or rough pads can scratch.
- Oil soaps and waxy polishes: these leave residue and attract dust.
If a spill involves wine, coffee, or tomato sauce, blot at once. Wiping a puddle spreads pigment. A quick blot limits stain depth and keeps cleanup simple.
Step-By-Step: Deep Clean Without Dulling
Pre-Clean
Vacuum crumbs along seams and backsplash lines with a brush attachment. This keeps grit from riding under your sponge.
Wash Cycle
- Soapy pass: Wipe with warm, lightly soapy water. Let stubborn film sit for one minute.
- Lift grease: Use a pH-neutral stone cleaner on sticky zones near the cooktop.
- Rinse twice: First with a damp cloth, then with a fresh, well-rung cloth.
- Dry and buff: Use two microfiber towels—one to dry, one to finish.
Spot Disinfection
For chopping areas after raw meat, spray a light mist of 70% isopropyl alcohol on clean stone, let it sit for 3–5 minutes, then rinse and dry. Reserve this for targeted spots, not daily wipes. Alcohol flashes off quickly and leaves no soap film when used sparingly.
Broad guidance on alcohol as a surface disinfectant appears in CDC’s disinfectant overview. Always follow the label on any product you use.
Stain Removal With A Stone Poultice
When a mark doesn’t fade after cleaning, draw it out with a poultice. The paste pulls pigment or oil from pores and brings it to the surface. You’ll match the poultice liquid to the stain type and combine it with an absorbent powder.
How A Poultice Works
- Mix the liquid and powder to a peanut-butter consistency.
- Spread 1/4–1/2 inch thick over the stain, overlapping by an inch.
- Cover with plastic wrap and tape edges; poke a few pinholes to slow drying.
- Leave 24–48 hours. Remove, rinse, and dry. Repeat if needed.
Stone pros rely on this method for many stains. Detailed material lists and cautions are outlined by the Natural Stone Institute’s poultice page.
Match The Poultice To The Stain
| Stain Type | Poultice Base | Dwell Time |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking Oil, Butter | Baking soda + water | 24–48 hours |
| Wine, Coffee, Juice | Hydrogen peroxide (3–6%) + powder | 24–48 hours |
| Ink (Water-Based) | Hydrogen peroxide + powder | 24–48 hours |
| Ink (Solvent-Based) | Acetone + powder (spot only, ventilate) | 24–48 hours |
| Rust | Stone-safe rust remover (test first) | As directed |
| Water Rings | Stone cleaner, then dry buff | Short set; repeat |
Seal Care: Keep Spills On The Surface
Quick Water-Drop Test
Place a teaspoon of water on a clean spot and wait five minutes. If the area darkens, the seal is wearing and needs fresh protection. If the water beads and wipes away without a shadow, you’re set for now.
When To Reseal
Many kitchens go 1–2 years between full reseals, but traffic, stone type, and cleaners shift that timeline. Do the water test every season and act when wet spots start to linger. A food-safe penetrating sealer keeps oil and pigment near the top so cleanup stays easy.
How To Apply Sealer (General Steps)
- Deep clean and let the surface dry fully.
- Wipe sealer in thin, even coats with a lint-free pad.
- Let it dwell as directed, then buff off all excess.
- Re-coat if the label recommends it, then avoid heavy use until cured.
Always follow the exact label for your product. Over-application leaves haze; thin coats seal more evenly.
Grease Film, Haze, And Streaks: Quick Fixes
Grease That Keeps Coming Back
Spray a stone cleaner, wait one minute, then wipe and rinse. If a faint film remains, use a fresh cloth and switch sides often. Grease spreads when the cloth is saturated.
Soapy Haze
Wipe with clean water and change the cloth midway through. Dry with microfiber in overlapping circles. A single extra rinse pass removes leftover surfactants that cause a dull cast.
Streaks In Bright Light
After drying, lightly fog the area with a stone spray and buff in long, straight lines. Work with the window light behind you to spot any missed swirls.
Food Prep Safety On Stone
Cut on boards, not on the slab. Granite can scratch knives, and boards stop cross-contact. After raw protein, clean the area with soap and water, then use a targeted alcohol mist on that zone, wait the full contact time, rinse, and dry.
Smart Habits That Protect The Finish
- Use trivets or racks for hot cookware.
- Wipe spills fast, especially oil, wine, and coffee.
- Keep one cloth just for drying stone.
- Avoid setting open condiment bottles on the slab.
- Park the air fryer and toaster on a tray to catch drips and crumbs.
When To Call A Pro
Deep etch-like marks, chips near the sink cutout, seam lift, or set-in rust call for a stone technician. A pro can resurface and re-hone, fill chips, and reset caulk lines along the backsplash for a uniform look.
FAQ-Style Edge Cases You Might Run Into
Can I Use Bleach Wipes?
Skip routine bleach on granite. It can affect the seal and fade darker stones. If you must use a disinfectant for a specific spill, choose a product labeled safe for sealed stone or mist 70% isopropyl alcohol, let it sit, rinse well, and dry.
What If I Spilled Red Wine And Only Noticed The Next Day?
Clean the area, then try a peroxide-based poultice. Repeat up to two or three cycles, allowing a full dry-down between rounds.
The Area Around The Stove Looks Dull
Grease can gum up the finish. Do a slow pass with a stone cleaner, rinse, and dry. If the water test shows darkening, schedule a reseal.
Wrap-Up: A Simple Routine That Keeps Granite Looking New
Stick to mild soap, clean water, pH-neutral stone cleaner, and soft cloths. Dry after each wash. Use a poultice when stains settle in. Check the seal a few times a year and refresh it when water no longer beads. With this rhythm, the slab keeps its luster and stays ready for meal prep, baking days, and everything in between.