Granite is built to last a lifetime — but only if you clean it kindly. If you have been wondering how to clean granite countertops naturally, the short answer is that the shop-bought sprays most of us reach for are often the worst thing for the stone. Acidic cleaners, bleach and harsh degreasers slowly eat away at the sealant that protects granite, leaving it dull, streaky and prone to staining. The good news? A gentle, plant-powered routine cleans just as well, smells far nicer, and keeps your worktops sealed and gleaming for years. In this guide we will walk through the simple method we use at home — no bleach, no streaks, and nothing that leaves a worrying residue near the food you prepare every day.

What you'll need

You almost certainly have most of this already. The only essential is a gentle, pH-balanced cleaner that won't strip the seal.

• RTL Natural Multi-Surface Spray (Bergamot & Lavender) — plant-based and gentle enough for sealed stone
• Two clean microfibre cloths (one for cleaning, one for buffing)
• A soft sponge with a non-scratch side
• Warm water
• A small bowl of warm soapy water for stubborn spots
• A dry tea towel or paper towel for final buffing

That's it. No bleach, no abrasive cream, no acidic "limescale" spray — all of which are the usual culprits behind dull, etched granite.

Step 1: Clear and dust the surface first

Before you spray anything, clear the worktop completely. Move the kettle, the fruit bowl, the chopping boards — everything. Then wipe across the surface with a dry microfibre cloth to lift away crumbs, dust and loose grit. This step matters more than it looks: those tiny gritty particles act like sandpaper, so if you start spraying and wiping straight away you can drag them across the polish and create fine scratches over time. A quick dry pass first means you are only ever cleaning the surface, never grinding debris into it. Pay attention to the corners and the strip right at the back where it meets the splashback, as that is where crumbs and grease quietly build up.

Step 2: Spray lightly and let it work

Mist the surface evenly with your RTL Natural Multi-Surface Spray — you want a light, even coating, not a soaking. Granite is sealed, but it is still a natural stone with tiny pores, so you never want pools of liquid sitting on it. Let the spray rest for around thirty seconds. This short dwell time lets the plant-based surfactants lift grease and food residue so you barely have to scrub. Working in sections of roughly half a metre at a time keeps the spray from drying before you wipe, which is the single biggest cause of streaks. If your kitchen is warm or sunny, work in even smaller sections.

Step 3: Wipe in the direction of the grain

Take your first damp microfibre cloth and wipe in long, overlapping strokes, following the natural grain or veining of the stone rather than scrubbing in circles. Long strokes pick up the loosened grease and carry it off the surface instead of just moving it around. For a sticky patch — dried-on jam, a splash of oil, a coffee ring — dip your non-scratch sponge in the warm soapy water and work it gently, then re-wipe. Resist the urge to reach for anything abrasive. Granite is hard, but the polished finish and the sealant on top of it are not, and a scouring pad will leave a dull patch you cannot buff out.

Step 4: Buff dry for that streak-free finish

This is the step almost everyone skips, and it is the secret to a flawless result. Take your second, dry microfibre cloth (or a clean tea towel) and buff the whole surface while it is still slightly damp. Drying it yourself — rather than leaving it to air-dry — is what prevents water spots and streaks, especially in hard-water areas where evaporating water leaves behind mineral marks. Buff in the same direction as the grain, and you will see the granite come up to a deep, even shine. Stand back and check it at an angle against the light; any missed streaks show up instantly and take two seconds to buff away.

Step 5: Keep on top of spills daily

The easiest granite to clean is granite that never gets the chance to build up grime. Wipe up spills as they happen, particularly acidic ones like lemon juice, wine, vinegar and tomato sauce, which can dull or etch the seal if left to sit. A quick daily mist-and-wipe with your plant-powered spray takes under a minute and means your weekly clean is effortless. Think of it as maintenance rather than a chore — a habit that keeps the stone sealed, hygienic and looking showroom-new without any heavy scrubbing.

Common mistakes to avoid

A few well-meaning habits do real damage to granite over time:

• Using bleach or ammonia. These break down the sealant and can lighten the colour of the stone with repeated use.
• Reaching for acidic cleaners. Vinegar, lemon and most "limescale removers" are far too acidic for granite and will etch the surface — fine for a kettle, not for your worktops.
• Letting spray air-dry. This is the number one cause of streaks and water spots. Always buff dry.
• Scrubbing with abrasive pads or cream cleaners. They scratch the polish and leave permanent dull patches.
• Over-wetting the stone. Standing water can seep into the pores at the edges and around the sink cut-out, where the seal is weakest.

Why this method works (the science bit)

Granite is a hard igneous stone, but the surface you actually touch is a thin layer of polish protected by a penetrating sealant. That sealant is what stops oil and wine soaking in and staining. Harsh, acidic or bleach-based cleaners gradually dissolve it, which is why heavily "deep cleaned" granite often looks worse over the years, not better. A gentle, pH-balanced, plant-based cleaner lifts grease using mild surfactants instead of corrosive chemistry, so it cleans thoroughly while leaving the seal intact. Our Multi-Surface Spray is free from synthetic Parfum and contains no hormone disruptors, so there is no synthetic residue left behind on the very surface where you prepare food. It is the same principle behind caring for any natural stone gently — the same approach we cover in our guide to cleaning marble countertops. As we always say: read every label — especially this one.

Give your granite the gentle clean it deserves

If you want worktops that stay sealed, streak-free and genuinely safe to prep food on, the cleaner matters as much as the method. Our Natural Multi-Surface Spray collection is plant-powered, scented only with real essential oils, and formulated to be tough on grease but kind to sealed stone — the difference you can smell the moment you spray it, and see in the shine afterwards.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use vinegar to clean granite countertops?

No — and this is the most common granite-cleaning mistake. Vinegar is acidic and will gradually etch the sealant and dull the polish. Stick to a gentle, pH-balanced cleaner made for everyday surfaces.

How often should I clean granite worktops?

Wipe up spills as they happen and give the surface a quick mist-and-wipe daily. A more thorough clean once or twice a week is plenty to keep sealed granite hygienic and shining.

Why does my granite look streaky after cleaning?

Streaks come from letting the cleaner air-dry, using too much product, or cleaning a large area at once so it dries before you wipe. Work in small sections and always buff dry with a clean microfibre cloth.

How do I know if my granite needs resealing?

Drip a little water onto the surface and leave it for ten minutes. If it beads up, the seal is fine. If it soaks in and darkens the stone, it is time to reseal — usually every one to three years depending on use.