Can You Use Vinegar to Clean Granite?

Granite is a gorgeous surface, but if it covers your kitchen counters then keeping it clean can be a challenge. Though vinegar is tough enough to tackle germs and food debris, it's a little too intense for a granite surface. Avoid it, and other acids, but you can easily create your own cleaning solution easily.

Problems with Vinegar and Granite

You want to avoid any type of acidic cleaner on a granite surface; that's because acids will cause etching in the surface, which are tiny lines and fissures. Etching mars the surface of granite. Since vinegar is a strong acid, you want to leave it on the shelf when choosing a cleaner for your granite. It will clean and disinfect the surface, but it can also mar the finish permanently.

Alternatives to Vinegar

If you'd like a simple cleaning solution, use rubbing alcohol, which isn't acidic and will clean and disinfect granite surfaces, leaving them grime-free and shiny. You can also use a few drops of dish detergent and water. You could even pre-make a custom granite cleaning solution, suggests the website HouseCleaningTips.com: combine 1/4 cup of isopropyl rubbing alcohol, 1 tsp. or so of dish washing detergent, and enough water to fill a quart-sized spray bottle.