Installing a granite countertop not only transforms your kitchen into an upscale and sleek space, but it does come with some specific steps to keeping it looking brand new. Things can get challenging when it comes to keeping high traffic areas like countertops clean and germ-free. If that countertop is made from a premium material like granite, then the challenge can be even greater. In order to help out, we’ve taken a look at our sources to discover the best granite countertop sprays to maintain your gorgeous kitchen surfaces.
Countertops can harbor unseen contaminants. A recent study points out how within the short span of just a few weeks, doorknobs, counters and other communal surfaces all over the country became public enemy number one during the pandemic. We’re all adapting to life post-COVID-19 right now and one of the bigger adjustments is figuring out how to ensure our homes and hands stay clean. To that end, a new study has shown just how hard maintaining a germ-free environment can be. Researchers at Ohio State University marked surfaces within a small veterinary practice every day for a total of five and a half weeks with a fluorescent dye only visible when placed under a black light. All in all, the results were rather concerning. On average, only about half of the surfaces were sufficiently cleaned over the course of the study. Moreover, surfaces often touched by humans, such as computers and keyboards, medical equipment, and dog leashes, were cleaned less often than other areas primarily touched by animals only.
The good news is that cleaning can help you feel happier and more relaxed. Clorox, the household name in the cleaning industry, recently released findings from a multifaceted study it conducted in which the findings suggest that keeping a neat living space promotes empathy. The study’s first component consisted of an online survey of 2,000 American adults which found that those who enjoyed the act of cleaning were 25 percent happier that those who did not.
So, turn that frown upside down with some spring cleaning! Granite countertops are a major investment that require some detailed care to maintain them over time. Luckily, the best granite countertop sprays do a great job at keeping your surfaces squeaky clean without damaging the luxe material. Let us know your favorite products to use in the comments below!
The List: Best Granite Countertop Sprays, Per Home Care Experts
1. Granite Gold Daily Cleaner Spray
According to our sources, Granite Gold is indeed the best of the best. Home Stratosphere writes, “It’s not for nothing that Granite Gold is known as the stone care experts. Their passion for stone care goes back more than 50 years. You can trust their excellent products to take gentle care of all of your granite surfaces. Your Home Care Collection includes a Granite Gold All-Surface Cleaner, Granite Gold Polish, and Granite Gold Daily Cleaner, along with a Granite Gold Scrub Sponge that is gentle but effective for removing stains.”
Budget is always a concern for consumers. Oh So Spotless doles out praise for Granite Gold’s affordability, “This Granite Gold daily cleaner is a fantastic choice and is very budget-friendly. It deeply cleans all-natural stone surfaces, leaving behind a streak-free finish. Don’t forget to wipe it down with a lint-free cloth! Then, you’ll be able to enjoy a glorious, sparkling finish that’s good enough to boast about on Instagram! We love that you can use this daily. It’s gentle but powerful on your stone surfaces, so you can use it each day of the week to upkeep your granite surfaces. Last but not least — you’ll love the subtle but fresh citrus scent this cleaner emits. It leaves behind a lovely aroma in the home.”
Moreover, this product is non-caustic and will not ruin costly granite surfaces. Bob Vila.com says, “The no-streak formula leaves these stone countertops looking smooth and shiny. Spray the 24-ounce bottle of Granite Gold onto the countertop, wipe it with a paper towel, and you’re done. A neutral pH balance means this product won’t damage or dull granite over time, even with daily use. This daily cleaner also is biodegradable and safe to use on food prep surfaces; no need to worry about harsh chemicals lingering behind and getting into after-school snacks.”
2. Weiman Granite & Stone Daily Cleaner
Weiman Granite & Stone Daily Cleaner has been noted as an excellent product for daily use. According to Girl Cooks World, “The only way to clean a granite counter is to use a cleaner like this product from Weiman. This product is specifically designed to handle the special needs of granite. It’s a specialized formula that’s designed for daily cleaning. It’s a product that’s easy-to-use and removes not only grime but also grease, watermarks, and stains as well. And since it’s a pH-balanced formula, it will perform its cleaning without discoloring the granite or causing it to deteriorate. Cleaning granite isn’t the only benefit this product provides, however. It’s also capable of gently polishing the natural stone surface so that it looks its best. When it’s used regularly, this product will not only maintain the look of granite but it will also help to enhance it. Of course, this product isn’t as inexpensive as other types of cleaners, but we believe that once consumers begin using it they won’t want to use any other cleaner on their granite surfaces. It’s also worth mentioning that this product isn’t just suitable for cleaning granite surfaces, but can be used on a variety of natural stone surfaces. This includes marble, quartz, soapstone, limestone, slate, and Corian laminate. It can even be used on concrete if the consumer so desires.”
Real Simple also points out some great product details: “If you’re looking for the industry-standard granite cleaner, this is the one. Compared to some of the natural formulations, this spray is quite affordable, and does a killer job wiping granite clean on a daily basis. This is a heavy duty option though, and should be kept out of reach of children—and be sure to clean the surface with soap and water before prepping meals directly on the surface after you’ve used this. On the other hand, this spray is powerful and can also be used as a disinfectant, as long as you let the product sit for about five to ten minutes to fully kill any lingering germs. We’d recommend using a microfiber cloth to buff the product out onto the countertop, as this will give the most sparkling finish. This product is also known for its ability to bring out the natural color and veining in stone, so if your counters are in need of a bit of oomph, this is a solid option.”
“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,” according to The Spruce.
3. Method Daily Granite Cleaner
Method is another popular cleaner with claims of being free from harmful chemicals. Best Reviews lays out the pros and cons: “Pros: Works to clean and polish granite, marble, and stone surfaces. Large bottle of spray is good value. Includes a fresh scent that some people like. Doesn’t leave behind a residue or film. Gives you a thorough cleaning result. Low price. Cons: Scent will be too strong for some people to use on their countertops.”
Carolina Stone Craftsman claims, “Method is a California-based company that is known for making environmentally friendly cleaning products. If you want to do your bit for the environment while still maintaining sparkling kitchen countertops, you should consider using the Method Daily Granite Cleaner. This product is made of plant-sourced ingredients such as sugars from sugar beets and corn. It also has ethanol as a solvent, as well as Benzisothiazolinone as a preservative. All the elements used to make the product are biodegradable.”
Morning Chores also says, “For a natural approach to cleaning any granite surface, the Method 12-ounce Daily Granite Cleaner is an excellent choice for your home. An eco-friendly, non-toxic, plant-based cleaner, Method gently cleans and restores the natural shine to your granite, marble, or sealed stone surfaces in a flash. It is safe to use on any type of natural stone, but the stone has to be properly sealed. The granite cleaner is biodegradable and contains no harsh chemicals. There is no nasty odor, just a delightful fresh apple scent. Cruelty-free, the cleaner has not been tested on animals.”
4. Trinova Granite Sealer and Protector
Trinova is another brand that was well-reviewed by several of our sources. Real Simple writes, “If you’ve wiped your granite free from dirt, grease, and stains, but you want to use an even more powerful sealer, then this is the product for you. Keep in mind that the counters should be totally clean before using this product, and beware that it dries quickly, so work in small sections, spraying and buffing out with a microfiber cloth. If you’re not sure that your granite countertops need a resealing, the brand recommends doing ‘the water test,’ which entails putting a few drops of water on the granite in several sections, waiting 30 minutes, and checking to see if any of the water has been absorbed. If it has, it’s likely time to reseal your counters. To be safe, aim to reseal your granite once a month.”
Praised for its powerful sealing ability, Trinova is a popular product with consumers. “This granite sealer comes in an 18-ounce spray bottle, making it best for small kitchens with limited countertop space. It can also be used on the grout in your bathroom to prevent mold or mildew growth. The spray has anti-stain protection to protect against spills,” according to This Old House.
Home Stratosphere adds, “Premium stone deserves premium care. TriNova 18-Ounce Granite Cleaner and Polish Spray is great for cleaning all kinds of stone, not just granite but also onyx, slate, marble, quartz, laminate, and more. This product comes with a microfiber cloth for gentle cleaning. Be sure not to overspray. A little Trinova 18-Ounce Granite Cleaner and Polish Spray go a long way. You don’t need to worry about breathing in any harsh chemical fumes, because this product does not contain any harsh chemicals, and all of its ingredients are both FDA- and EPA-approved and safe for use in the kitchen and bathroom. This Trinova product is an excellent choice for cleaning stone countertops, bathroom tiles, floors, and showers. It leaves a streak-free shine and seals as it cleans.”
5. Black Diamond Granite Plus 2-in-1 Cleaner & Sealer
Black Diamond offers an additional advantage of being effective on stains. “This formula is pH-balanced for natural stone surfaces, but strong enough to tackle stains and messes from oil, coffee, food, and wine. Even things like oily peanut butter can be cleaned up, and stains can be removed. Just spray the cleaner on the surface and let it penetrate the stain before wiping away the excess. 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,” writes The Spruce.
Home Stratosphere also states that, “The two products in one are a cleaner and a sealer. This means you can clean, polish, and protect at the same time. This formula is pH-neutral, so it won’t break down the calcite crystals that make your countertops beautiful, but it is also 100-percent biodegradable and hypoallergenic. And it removes stains from grease, oil, cooking, and food without streaks or residue. No rinsing is required.”
Oh So Spotless says: “This is a superb 2-in-1 cleaner and sealer. So every time you clean your granite surfaces, you also protect the sealer. This doesn’t replace the need to seal it properly every 10 years or so. But it does protect the seal from damage, so your granite surfaces are in the best condition possible. This is also great for marble, travertine, and limestone surfaces, too. It’ll leave behind a streak-free clean on all these surfaces. Plus, it’s a food-safe formula, so you can spritz it all over your granite countertops and live stress-free.”
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Sources
- Home Stratosphere
- Girl Cooks World
- Best Reviews
- Real Simple
- The Spruce
- Bob Vila.com
- Carolina Stone Craftsman
- Morning Chores
- This Old House
- Oh So Spotless
Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations.