How to Disinfect Granite Countertops

By now, perhaps we’re all too aware that with increased time at home comes more messes—and more cleaning. And with so many different surfaces, nooks, and crannies in our homes, it can sometimes be hard to know how to properly clean and disinfect our spaces in a way that both does the job and keeps our family healthy and safe. This is especially true for counter surfaces, where from wood to quartz to marble to granite, there are an incredible variety of surfaces you may be cleaning and disinfecting, each with its own unique personality.

For those of you with granite countertops at home, we’re excited to share insider tips on how to safely clean, disinfect, and protect your granite countertops to keep them ready for everyday use and looking great for the long term.

First off, before disinfecting, you’ll want to make sure your granite countertop is properly sealed. Granite is naturally less porous than many other stone surfaces, such as marble, though an unsealed countertop is more likely to soak up spills, stains, and even harbor unwanted bacteria [1]. To test your granite’s seal, simply dribble some water on the surface. Does the water form into beads? Good, you’re securely sealed. If the water gradually soaks into the stone, though, you’ll want to have your granite resealed for proper cleaning and disinfecting.

There are a number of disinfecting spray cleaners and wipes (Link opens in new window.) on the market to choose from, but with many everyday products in short supply, we would like to provide you with some links to helpful information. List N: which is a list of disinfectants approved by the EPA for use against SARS-COV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. The CDC also has a list of cleaning and disinfecting guidelines similar to the steps we will outline below. As always when in doubt please refer to the use instructions on the product label.

For everyday cleaning, first prepare your surface by removing appliances, crumbs, and wiping up any visible spills.
Mix warm water with a squirt of a plant-based dish liquid in a bucket or sink.
Wash your countertops thoroughly with the dish soap mixture you prepared using a clean, non-abrasive cloth, then rinse and dry with a fresh cloth to avoid streaks.
- Insider tip: old t-shirts, washed and cut into squares, make great reusable dish cloths. Just remember to only use them once before washing and re-using.
To disinfect: when disinfecting using a store-bought spray or wipes, always use as directed on the product label.
Rinse with warm water and a clean dry cloth to help get a greater shine on your granite countertop.

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How to Disinfect Granite Countertops