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Home » Cleaning tips

How to clean granite countertops naturally

By Debbiedoo's Team Published: Feb 22, 2014 · Modified: Feb 4, 2025

Hey there everyone!

Today, I am sharing how to clean granite countertops naturally.

It is getting close enough to Spring cleaning and that is what I have been doing around here.

If you missed how to clean your stove grates

or how to clean your hardwood floors organically, you may want to check those out.

I am on a total cleaning frenzy these days.  I am trying to rid the house of household cleaners bought at the store.

Although, I still do use clorax wipes in the bathrooms and on the faucets. And the Ammonia on the stove grates was a must! Overall, I am trying to get rid of all those harsh chemicals and store bought cleaning products.  We can make our own and they do even a better job.

Plus, they are safe.

Windex is a NO NO on granite.  

natural granite countertop cleaner 020

Although, you may think you are getting that clean sparkle. Remember, stone is porous, so harsh chemicals like bleach or ammonia can also seep into the surface.

Household cleaners aren’t required to label ingredients, so you may not realize something contains a strong acid until it’s too late!

So here is my natural solution to cleaning granite counter tops.

¼ cup of vodka,

ya know it’s not just for bloody mary’s

you can use a cheap one, it does not matter.

3 drops of Dawn

I used an old windex bottle and filled it only half way with water, so that would be 16 oz. of water along with the above solution.

Spray,

and wipe with cloth.

Vodka is useful for many things and one happens to be its cleaning ability and the fact that it is user friendly, safe, and a “green” choice. 

The alcohol will kill bacteria and is effective at cleaning the granite surface. No residue is left behind and the product dries quickly and is safe.

It was so shiny it reflected the kitchen window and you can see the trees and window panes. Even the canisters reflected, like glass!

Awesome!

Thanks for stopping by today.

Hope you follow me around.

If you are not a regular here, I sure would love to see you back again.

XO

If you are new here, welcome! I am also very excited to share my new stencil line with you.

[envira-gallery id=”32693″]

Linen pillow cover available NOW on Amazon

HEREThank you for your visit today!

To view my stencil gallery projects you may check out my Debcreates.com page. 

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. DAWN

    February 22, 2014 at 8:50 am

    Great idea Debbie and you could even have a drink while you were at it. I wonder if this would work on my concrete countertops?

    Reply
  2. Shelia

    February 22, 2014 at 9:19 am

    Hi Debbie Dear! I’ve never heard of this but your counter tops looks so nice and shiny. Now I’ll have to go to the liquor store.
    be a sweetie,
    Shelia 😉

    Reply
  3. Angela

    February 22, 2014 at 9:50 am

    Great tip!!! Can I have a martini while I’m cleaning? Now I have a great excuse to do that! Have a wonderful weekend!!~~Angela

    Reply
    • debbiedoo's

      February 22, 2014 at 9:57 am

      hehehehehe..sure why not!

      Reply
  4. Nana Diana

    February 22, 2014 at 10:18 am

    Great tip, Debbie. I have been using that “green” product from Home Depot. I use alcohol and Dawn to clean windows and it works like a charm. xo Diana

    Reply
    • Joyce

      February 24, 2014 at 10:39 am

      Hi there, What is the ratio of Dawn to (rubbing?) alcohol for windows?
      Thanks.

      Reply
      • debbiedoo's

        February 24, 2014 at 12:17 pm

        Three drops is all I used.

        Reply
  5. Christine at First Home Love Life

    February 22, 2014 at 11:01 am

    Thank goodness it’s mixed with Dawn! That will prevent me from licking my countertops 😉

    Reply
  6. Shelley @ Calypso in the Country

    February 22, 2014 at 12:25 pm

    Great idea – and a cocktail to go along with it wouldn’t hurt!
    -Shelley

    Reply
  7. Ann

    February 22, 2014 at 12:41 pm

    This is such a great alternative to the expensive granite cleaners at the grocery. I drinky poo while cleaning is always a good idea too!

    Reply
  8. Ricki Jill Treleaven

    February 22, 2014 at 4:06 pm

    Vodka is also a good solvent for getting most paints out of fabric, too. 😀 It works….I should know because I’m a messy painter. Good to know another use for vodka, and I guess it would work equally well on marble (?)

    Reply
    • debbiedoo's

      February 22, 2014 at 5:08 pm

      I am sure it would be fantastic on marble as well!

      Reply
  9. kate appleby

    February 22, 2014 at 5:51 pm

    Great Blog…I clean for a living and I am happy to share my experience….I used to use the Clorox wipes also cuz I just go through to many potty training boys and old men w prostate problems. I am into oils now and I can am completely satisfied with my protek enhanced w tea tree oil. Tea Tree oil is a powerful disinfectant as well as anti-everything! I don’t do w/o it!! Now when I smell those toxic wipes I gag!! Love the vodka granite top cleaner!!!! thanks!

    Reply
    • debbiedoo's

      February 22, 2014 at 6:18 pm

      Oh that sounds really cool. I will give it a try, thank you for sharing!

      Reply
    • kathy

      November 13, 2016 at 6:51 pm

      Can i use tea tree oil in the vodka and dawn on my marble countertop?

      Reply
      • debbiedoo's

        November 13, 2016 at 10:07 pm

        I don’t know about that, I have never used it.

        Reply
  10. Sarah

    February 22, 2014 at 6:29 pm

    Debbie, we have granite countertops and I’m guilty of using windex. Thanks for the heads up and the tip on this homemade cleaner. Will do this from now own.

    Reply
  11. Pinky at Designs by Pinky

    February 22, 2014 at 9:17 pm

    How in the world did you think touse VODKA as a cleaner????? I will try this, God knows we have PLENTY of Vodka on hand:):)

    Reply
  12. The Tuscan Home

    February 23, 2014 at 10:09 am

    WOW, I will definitely have to try this. Thanks for sharing! xo, Liz

    Reply
  13. Shirley@housepitalitydesigns

    February 23, 2014 at 1:59 pm

    Amazing…would never think of the comb of Vodka and Dawn would clean the granite…I am sure the countertops would “love it”….

    Reply
  14. Shannon @ Fox Hollow Cottage

    February 24, 2014 at 7:05 pm

    Quick. Message Jim and tell him I need granite counters so I can try this 😉

    Reply
  15. Shannon

    February 25, 2014 at 12:32 am

    Debbie, I have been getting into the natural and homemade cleaning products lately too and I am completely sold–I love them! I had no idea we could use Vodka, but why not? Very cool recipe. My granite counter tops need some TLC and I happen to have all these ingredients right now. I better make a Cape Cod first!

    Reply
  16. Sandy

    February 25, 2014 at 12:23 pm

    Great excuse to purchase Vodka;) thank you for its new purpose. I’ve always used Dawn and hot water cleaning my granite and then a good rinse. I reread your wonderful Blarney Castle post from last March. Pinned several pictures as wonderful memories Sept.,2012. Thank you.

    Reply
    • debbiedoo's

      February 25, 2014 at 2:14 pm

      Oh nice, thank you!! You are welcome Sandy!

      Reply
  17. Amy

    February 25, 2014 at 10:22 pm

    I needed to know this! I want to use more natural products. Who woulda thunk it? Vodka? Works for me — clean, and then have a sip, clean some more, sip some more. That’s my kind of cleaning.

    Reply
  18. Charlotte Downey

    March 24, 2015 at 5:19 pm

    I like the tip on using Vodka and Dawn. Anxious to read up on all your tips. Thanks.

    Reply
  19. Tania

    May 02, 2015 at 4:31 pm

    can any other dishwashing soap be used, and often can I use this wonderful cleaner.

    Thanks

    Reply
    • debbiedoo's

      May 03, 2015 at 6:27 am

      I have never tried another dishwashing soap. I use this about once every few weeks as more of a deep clean.

      Reply
  20. jo

    January 04, 2016 at 10:02 am

    Can you use rubbing alcohol in place of vodka?

    Reply
    • debbiedoo's

      January 04, 2016 at 10:14 am

      I don’t know..never tried it, but honestly, I do not see why not! Try it and let me know.

      Reply
  21. Linda

    February 07, 2016 at 8:52 am

    I’ve been using this recipe for a few weeks now and love the results. Since I plan to continue using this I have a few questions. You state that the alcohol in the recipe will kill bacteria, will this continue through the entire bottles usage? Is the alcohol in the recipe enough to act as a preservative for the cleaner since it contains water? If no preservative is needed how long is the products shelf life? Thank you.

    Reply
    • debbiedoo's

      February 07, 2016 at 9:02 am

      Hi Linda, I really can’t answer those questions with certainty. I had my bottle for at least 3 months and it continued to do the trick.

      Reply
      • Linda

        February 07, 2016 at 2:22 pm

        Thank you for the quick reply. I’ll do some research on it. If you’d like I’ll come back and share it with you. I appreciate you sharing the recipe and really do love how it works and smells.

        Reply
        • debbiedoo's

          February 07, 2016 at 2:26 pm

          Wonderful!! Thank you Linda.

          Reply
  22. ruth wright

    March 07, 2016 at 4:20 pm

    Can I use palmolive dish detergent with the vodka?

    Reply
    • debbiedoo's

      March 07, 2016 at 5:55 pm

      I would think so. I never tried it though,honestly.

      Reply
  23. Archana sharma

    October 25, 2017 at 5:53 am

    Thanks for sharing awesome tips with uus

    Reply
  24. Lily L Flacks

    February 10, 2018 at 10:32 am

    I use vodka and water half-half, in a spray bottle; to clean ALL surfaces, except for wood and Stainless Steel. This combination works wonders and NO toxic smells Etc. Can you tell me what is the advantage of adding Dawn into the vodka-water mixture?

    Reply

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