Daily cleaning can be done with standard dish soap, warm water, and a microfiber cloth or soft sponge. (Cleaners marked specifically for stone counters are also widely available, but do not disinfect to kill germs and bacteria). However, you may be concerned about spreading bacteria or viruses or just want the peace of mind of sanitized counters.
They key to properly sanitizing granite countertops is being careful not to chemically or physically damage the stone or protective seal. The following chemicals and cleaning tools are widely discouraged because of the potential of damaging granite or the seal.
NEVER USE:
· Bleach
· Ammonia or ammonia-based cleaners like Windex®
· Household acids like vinegar, lemon, lime or citrus
· Steel wool scrubber
· Rough or coarse sponges
So what SHOULD you use to disinfect granite counters?
Alcohol-based disinfectants need to be 60-90% concentrated to properly sanitize, according to the CDC. Therefore, you should be aware that if your solution is diluted below 60%, there is a likelihood it is not killing all potentially harmful bacteria. Many online recipes for homemade sanitizer instruct you to add at least 50% water to already diluted isopropyl alcohol aka “rubbing alcohol”.
1. In a standard 16 oz spray bottle, mix 11 oz 70% isopropyl alcohol with 5 oz warm water.
2. Spray the solution on your clean (wiped down) granite countertops.
3. Wait 5 minutes for the disinfection process to complete.
4. Wipe the solution with a microfiber cloth or hand towel until dry. TIP: Do not leave any alcohol-based product on granite for over 10 minutes due to increased chance of degrading the protective seal.
Optional: Add 15-20 drops of essential oil that has disinfecting properties such as: lemon, tea tree oil, peppermint, or cinnamon. This may enhance the disinfecting effectiveness, and definitely enhances the scent of your sanitizing solution.