Granite is a natural stone prized for its sparkle, dimensional veining, and rugged durability. But if you’ve ever stood at the sink holding a blue bottle and thought, “Can I use Windex on granite?” you’re not alone. The short answer: standard, ammonia-based glass cleaners (like many Windex® formulas) are not recommended for daily use on granite. They can dull a polished finish over time and weaken the sealer that protects your counters from stains.
This guide explains why, what to use instead, and how to keep granite beautiful—whether you have white granite countertops, dramatic black granite countertops, or anything in between. We’ll cover routine cleaning, disinfecting, sealing, stain removal, and FAQs—optimized with semantic SEO so you can find exactly what you need.
Why Typical Windex Isn’t Ideal for Granite
Granite’s protection depends on its sealer
Granite is an igneous granite stone composed mainly of quartz and feldspar with mica and accessory minerals. Even polished granite is microscopically porous. That’s why fabricators apply a penetrating sealer: it fills micro-pores, reducing absorption and buying you time to wipe spills before they stain.
Conventional glass cleaners often contain ammonia and solvent/surfactant packages formulated to cut oils and evaporate quickly on glass. On natural stone, those ingredients can:
- Degrade or strip the sealer faster, especially around sinks, cooktops, and high-use prep zones.
- Leave a hazy film or streaks, which are very obvious on dark colors and high-polish finishes.
- Increase water spotting and make fingerprints more noticeable on black granite countertops.
If you’re evaluating other strong cleaners, see: Can you use bleach on granite countertops? and Can you use Clorox wipes on granite countertops?
“But my Windex says ‘ammonia-free’…”
Some “ammonia-free” glass cleaners still carry solvents, fragrances, and surfactants that can leave residue or slowly weaken sealer performance. Unless a product explicitly says “safe for sealed natural stone,” avoid using it on granite.
The Stone-Safe Daily Routine (Works for All Colors & Finishes)
Whether you have natural vs. engineered granite look-alikes, polished, honed, or leathered finishes, this pH-neutral method protects both stone and sealer:
- Dry wipe: Remove crumbs with a clean microfiber towel.
- Spritz: Use a pH-neutral stone cleaner or warm water with a drop of dye-free dish soap.
- Wipe: Clean from backsplash to edge in overlapping passes.
- Rinse: Lightly wipe with clean water (distilled water minimizes spotting, great for dark stones).
- Buff dry: Finish with a dry microfiber to restore the pop of a polished surface.
Bonus for glass-like shine (without Windex)
If you miss the “glass cleaner sparkle,” opt for a stone-safe polish formulated for granite. Use sparingly after cleaning and drying; avoid silicone-heavy sprays that attract dust.
When You Must Disinfect Granite (Do It the Stone-Safe Way)
For everyday crumbs and fingerprints, disinfecting isn’t necessary. If you’ve handled raw meat or someone’s been sick:
- Spray 70% isopropyl alcohol, allow a 2–3 minute dwell time for efficacy, then rinse with clean water and buff dry.
- Or use a disinfectant labeled safe for sealed natural stone.
- Save disinfection for targeted situations rather than daily use to preserve your sealer.
Already Used Windex on Granite? Here’s a Quick Recovery
- Rinse well with clean water to remove residues.
- Clean with a pH-neutral stone cleaner.
- Buff dry to reduce haze.
- Perform a water test the next day (teaspoon of water on the surface):
- Darkens/absorbs within a few minutes? It’s time to reseal.
- Beads for 15–30+ minutes? Your sealer is likely fine.
Sealing Granite: How Often, and Why It Matters
Do you need to reseal?
Frequency depends on color, finish, and usage. White/light granites and honed/leathered finishes typically benefit from more frequent sealing. Use the water test monthly in heavy-use areas to decide.
Resealing in 5 steps
- Clean thoroughly; let fully dry.
- Apply a penetrating granite sealer per label instructions.
- Allow it to dwell, then buff off all excess before it dries on the surface.
- Let cure (often 24 hours).
- Repeat if the manufacturer or your water test suggests.
Result: Better resistance to oil, wine, coffee, and everyday splashes—while keeping maintenance simple and Windex unnecessary.
Stain Removal—No Harsh Chemicals Needed
Even with good habits, accidents happen. Match the solution to the stain:
- Oil-based (olive oil, cosmetics, greasy fingerprints): Make a poultice of baking soda + water (peanut-butter thick). Apply, cover with plastic (poke pinholes), wait 24–48 hours, remove, rinse, and dry.
- Organic (coffee, tea, wine, juice, berries): Use baking soda + 3% hydrogen peroxide as the poultice liquid.
- Rust/metal marks: Choose a stone-specific rust remover (spot test first).
Avoid acidic cleaners and abrasive powders—they can etch or scour certain stones and dull the finish.
Finish-Specific Tips (Polished, Honed, Leathered)
- Polished granite: Most stain-resistant; shows streaks/fingerprints fastest. Always rinse and buff dry.
- Honed granite: Matte satin; slightly more absorbent; oils can telegraph. Keep up with sealing and gentle degreasing.
- Leathered granite: Textured, visually forgiving but traps crumbs and oils; use a soft nylon brush with stone cleaner, rinse, and towel dry.
Granite vs. Quartz vs. Marble: Cleaning & Durability at a Glance
- Granite vs quartz countertops: Both prefer pH-neutral cleaners. Quartz resins are sensitive to strong solvents and high heat; granite tolerates heat better but relies on sealer for stain resistance.
- Granite vs marble: Marble is more prone to etching from acids (lemon juice, vinegar). Granite is harder (Mohs ~6–7), generally more forgiving in busy kitchens.
- Granite vs soapstone durability: Soapstone is non-porous and heat-tolerant but softer (scratches more easily). Care strategies differ.
Cost, Buying Tips & Pro Handling (For Long-Term Value)
- Granite countertop cost varies by color rarity, country of origin, finish, slab thickness, and edge profile. Comparing wholesale granite suppliers, local countertop showrooms, and bundles can reveal affordable granite countertop options.
- Where to buy granite countertops: Local fabricators let you hand-select slabs and discuss installation, seams, and edges tailored to your kitchen.
- Pro handling matters: Installers use specialized lifting and transport gear to protect heavy slabs and finished edges. To understand job-site logistics many pros rely on, browse Toolrange for examples of professional stone-handling solutions used during Aardwolf granite countertop collection installs.
Common Questions About Granite Cleaning
Can I ever use Windex on granite?
If—and only if—the label clearly states safe for sealed natural stone and the product is ammonia-free, it may be used sparingly. Even then, pH-neutral stone cleaner is better for daily maintenance. When in doubt, skip it.
What about ammonia-free glass cleaners?
Ammonia-free isn’t automatically stone-safe. Many still leave films or contain solvents that aren’t ideal for sealer longevity. Stick with products specifically formulated for clean granite countertops.
Do I need to disinfect daily?
No. Clean daily; disinfect only after higher-risk tasks. Over-disinfection can shorten sealer life and is unnecessary in typical home kitchens.
Can I use vinegar or citrus?
Avoid acids (including vinegar). They can degrade sealers and leave your counters dull or streaky—especially noticeable on black granite countertops.
Step-by-Step: The Perfect Granite Care Schedule
Daily:
- Microfiber wipe → pH-neutral cleaner → quick rinse → buff dry.
Weekly:
- Optional stone-safe polish after a full clean and dry, especially on polished finishes.
Monthly:
- Perform the water bead test near sinks and cooktops. Reseal if needed.
Annually:
- Inspect caulk lines, seams, sink clip tightness, and high-traffic spots. Consider a pro clean & reseal if your kitchen sees heavy use.
Troubleshooting Haze, Spots & Streaks
- Haze after using glass/disinfecting wipes: Rinse thoroughly with warm water, clean with pH-neutral stone cleaner, buff dry.
- Hard water spots (especially on dark granite): Use distilled water for final rinse; dry immediately.
- Oily smudges that keep returning: Degrease gently with stone cleaner; reseal if the water test fails.
The Bottom Line: Skip Standard Windex, Keep Granite Gorgeous
You don’t need Windex to make granite gleam. A gentle, pH-neutral routine, occasional stone-safe polish, and on-schedule sealing will keep granite’s color and clarity intact for decades—without haze, streaks, or sealer damage. And when disinfecting is needed, choose 70% isopropyl alcohol or a stone-approved disinfectant, then rinse and buff.
Helpful Links & Next Reads
- Professional stone-handling & site gear used by fabricators: Toolrange
- Strong cleaners & stone surfaces: