Many people are unaware how to clean stone countertops without damaging them. Stone countertop material pulls in natural beauty to create a stunning aesthetic, but it can also be damaged if you use the wrong cleaning products.

Learning how to clean natural stone countertops keeps your kitchen clean and can help reduce dust and grime in your home. It’s also important to know how to prevent stains and what to do if your countertop gets stained.

Wash with Soapy Water

For everyday cleaning, soapy water is a safe option for stone countertops. Dampen a soft, clean cloth or soft, nonabrasive sponge with your warm, soapy water using mild dish soap. When you’re done, go back over the countertop with a clean, damp cloth to remove the soap remnants.

Make another pass with a dry, clean towel to dry up any remaining water. Drying your stone countertops prevents water damage. It also creates a shiny surface without any streaks.

You can also use rubbing alcohol diluted with water to clean stone countertops. Adding a little dish soap can help remove greasy areas.

Avoid Acidic and Abrasive Cleaners

Anything that’s acidic or abrasive should never go near your stone countertops as they are potentially damaging. Since granite countertops typically range from $50 to $250 per square foot, you don’t want to risk damaging the surface over a cleaning mistake.

Those cleaning products can cause damage to stone. They often etch or weaken the countertop sealant, damaging the shine and leaving the counters looking dull.

Avoid acidic cleaning products for your stone countertops, including any citrus juices and vinegar, which are sometimes used as natural cleaners. Straight ammonia or cleaners containing ammonia, such as glass cleaner, can also cause damage. Bleach is another harmful cleaning product that you should keep away from stone countertops.

When choosing cleaning tools, stay away from anything with an abrasive or scratchy surface. This includes sponges with a scrubby side, steel wool and cleaning brushes with metal bristles.

Handle Spills Quickly

Spills are inevitable when you’re cooking frequently or if you have kids. You can reduce the chances of stains and damage to your stone countertops by wiping up any spill immediately. A quick cleanup is especially important when you spill acidic foods, such as citrus juice, salad dressing, and vinegar, or foods with lots of dye.

Clean Stains

Creating a paste with baking soda can gently scour away stains without damaging your stone countertops. A paste of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide works well on water stains. If you’re dealing with an oily stain, use water with the baking soda to create the paste.

Gently rub the baking soda paste into the stain. If it’s a particularly tough stain, you can use plastic wrap to cover the stain, securing the edges with tape.

Wait overnight, letting the baking soda paste work on the stain. The next day, you can wipe away the paste and rinse the stone countertops to remove any remnants.

Learn How to Clean Stone Countertops

Figuring out how to clean stone countertops doesn’t have to be scary. As long as you use gentle products, you can keep your stone countertops clean and beautiful without any damage.

If your stone countertops need help, check out our stone countertop cleaning and restoration services. We can help correct issues with your stone countertops to improve how they look.