How to Clean Granite Tiles

Co-authored by David Liu

Last Updated: November 24, 2023 References

Granite is a durable and timeless design choice. To keep your granite tiles looking their best, though, proper cleaning is paramount. By removing surface dirt before cleaning, sticking with granite-friendly cleaning solutions, and establishing a regular maintenance routine, you can keep your granite tiles in beautiful condition for years to come.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Doing Routine Cleaning

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Before you begin cleaning your granite tile, it is important to remove surface dirt.^{[1]
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Expert Source

David Liu
Residential Cleaning Expert

Expert Interview. 3 November 2021.} Doing this will keep any bits of grit or grout from scratching your granite, which can trap bits of dirt deep in the stone and dull its finish.

EXPERT TIP

Bridgett Price
House Cleaning Professional
Bridgett Price is a Cleaning Guru and Co-Owner of Maideasy, a maid service company that services the Phoenix, Arizona metropolitan area. She holds a Master of Management from the University of Phoenix, specializing in digital and traditional marketing.

Bridgett Price
House Cleaning Professional

'Test the feel of the granite before you clean it. Bridgett Price of Maid Easy says: "Before you clean any granite surface, take your hand and run it along the stone to help you understand the texture and feel any imperfections. Then, with that in mind, wipe down the granite with a microfiber cloth and a non-toxic cleaning solution or liquid dish detergent."
2
Use warm distilled water and mild dish soap. If your granite is just a little dirty, first try cleaning it with warm distilled water and some mild dish soap. Dilute a few drops of the soap in a bucket of water, wringing a soft cloth to remove excess water before each wipe of the granite tile. Standing water can stain granite if left too long. ^{[2]
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- Avoid soaps with lots of dyes and fragrances. Dyes can stain light colored granite.
- Microfiber cloths you can buy at the hardware store specifically designed for stone are best. Don’t ever use anything abrasive such as scrubbing sponges or steel wool to clean granite.^{[3]
  X
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  David Liu
  Residential Cleaning Expert
  
  Expert Interview. 3 November 2021.} Though the stone is durable, it is vulnerable to scratching.
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For example, you could clean all the tiles left to right in one row before moving to the next. If your granite tiles are on the floor, be sure not to clean yourself into a corner.
Use circular motions to dry, as if buffing a car.^{[4]
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Research source} If you don’t have a soft cloth, you can use an old T-shirt without screen prints.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Removing Tough Stains

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1
Employ a granite-safe cleaning solution for more difficult jobs. If your floor is very dirty or has not been washed in a long time, it can be helpful to use a granite-safe cleaning solution, such as Method Granite Cleaner Spray or Weiman Granite Cleaner. Never use harsh chemicals, such as bleach, or “all-purpose” household cleaning products on granite. ^{[5]
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David Liu
Residential Cleaning Expert

Expert Interview. 3 November 2021.}
- Ventilate the area. If you choose to clean your granite with a store-bought granite solution, it likely will give off fumes from the chemicals. Open a window to maintain better airflow while you work.^{[6]
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- Spray the cleaner on one tile at a time, wiping with a soft cloth. If you spray on many tiles at once and the solution is left standing, it may stain your granite.^{[7]
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- Dry thoroughly with a soft cloth to minimize water stains.
2
Try a baking soda poultice on deep stains. For deep or set-in stains, apply a poultice to draw the stain out of the stone. Mix baking soda and water until the mixture has the consistency of sour cream. Spread the paste on the stain and cover with plastic wrap. Leave it covered for 24 hours.
- After 24 hours, wash the paste off as you would normally clean your granite tiles, with soap and warm water.
EXPERT TIP

Bridgett Price
House Cleaning Professional
Bridgett Price is a Cleaning Guru and Co-Owner of Maideasy, a maid service company that services the Phoenix, Arizona metropolitan area. She holds a Master of Management from the University of Phoenix, specializing in digital and traditional marketing.

Bridgett Price
House Cleaning Professional

Use baking soda to scrub away tough stains. Bridgett Price, co-owner of Maideasy, says: "If you have a hard stain that won't come up, apply a little baking soda to the spot, then rub it in a circular motion. Start with small circles, then get wider as the stain lifts. Just be careful not to etch or remove the sealant."
3
Clean grout with a granite-safe choice. Grout is a magnet for dirt and dust. If dirty grout is making your tiles appear less clean, seek out a granite-safe grout cleaner, such as Granite Gold Grout Cleaner or Tile Lab Grout Cleaner. Many normal grout formulas are abrasive and will damage your granite tile.
- Use a toothbrush or other small brush to clean the grout between your granite tiles. This will ensure the grout cleaner is applied in a more targeted manner. Always avoid using harsh scrubbers of any kind on your granite tile.^{[8]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Maintaining Your Clean Floor

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1
Establish a regular cleaning routine. Wiping your tile with a dry cloth every other day will help minimize surface dirt. The more often you do routine cleanings, the less frequently you will need to do serious deep cleans with soap and water or cleaning solution.
- Creating a calendar reminder can help you remember to wipe your tile.^{[9]
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Whether it’s a glass of wine or some salsa, food and drink are full of acids and natural juices, which can deteriorate granite tile. When something spills, clean it up right away with soap and water, drying your tile completely. This will keep any potential stains from setting.^{[10]
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Bits of grout breaking off can scratch your granite and trap dirt and grime. Cleaning is a great time to get up close and personal with your tile, examining the integrity of each stone and grout line. Be sure to replace chipped or broken tiles and have your grout touched up wherever necessary.
Seal your granite once a year. While sealant is no substitute for cleaning, it can make your granite more resistant to water damage and other spills. Seal your granite once a year with a high-quality granite sealant, such as Rock Doctor Granite Sealer or Stone Pro Granite Sealer, to keep your tiles in good condition.

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How do I get the original shining color again?

Community Answer

Use the soft side of a Scotch Bright pad with a heavy, floor-safe degreasing cleaner, a spray cleaner, or a grout scrub. Then, power mop the tiles to finish.

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What alternative chemical could be used in a heavy traffic area in Nigeria?

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Tuff Green or Mr. Clean All Purpose Lemon Cleaner will work. A degreaser will take up all the grime from your granite, even rubber.

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I got the stain from NIVEA Lip balm on my granite floor. The stain is really bad and I tried to clean it but nothing helped. Please suggest me an option how I can remove this stain.

Community Answer

Try a baking soda poultice as outlined in the article. This is a natural solution that can draw out deep stains. Unfortunately, if your stain has set for a very long time, though, it can be difficult to remove.

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Tips

If you're unsure whether you have synthetic or genuine granite tiles, look at the veins in the stone. Genuine granite will display a random pattern while synthetic will have a subtle but discernible pattern.

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Always read the labels of cleaning agents to determine if they are safe for use on granite. Even after confirming with the label, spot clean on a rarely seen corner to ensure it doesn't harm, scratch or otherwise impair the granite.

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Warnings

Don't stand or sit on granite countertops. Although the stone is extremely hard, it is not particularly flexible. Any bending can cause cracks.

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