There is a lot of controversy on how to clean granite countertops amongst the "stone specialists". Some say it's necessary to ALWAYS use a special granite cleaner, some say soap and water, and others say to use glass cleaner. ALMOST everyone agrees that harsh cleaning products such as 409 and Lysol are not the answer.

How do you clean granite countertops? From personal experience, soap and water does work. This is a safe, convenient, and inexpensive way to clean your countertops.

BUT, soap and water can eventually lead to a soap build up. A soap build up will dull your countertops and leave a film on top. Also, soap and water won't bring out the luster and shine in your stone like a granite cleaner will.

With the darker stones, you may have to dry them or buff them with a soft cloth to remove any streaks.

We personally use MB-5 Granite Cleaner to thoroughly clean our granite counters. MB-5 is convenient, easy to use, and will not leave a soap residue on your stone.

With MB-5, you spray it on your countertops, let it sit for about 30 seconds, and then wipe it off. MB-17 daily wipes are also convenient to use. These handy wet wipes come in a canister form. You just swipe and wipe.

If you need to thoroughly clean your countertops, use MB-3 Soap Film Remover. This stone cleaner is made to safely remove soap film and hard water deposits.

Granite cleaners are simple and safe to use on a day to day basis. Cleaning products such as Lysol, 409, and windex are not the answer. These products can contain harsh chemicals which can cause damage to your stone. Products containing ammonia tend to break down the sealer on granite quicker. The harsher the cleaning product, the quicker the sealer breaks down, and the sooner it will need to be reapplied.

Knowing how to clean granite countertops is a snap. Keep it simple. Use what's known to be safe and effective.