Anonymous wrote:windex and microfiber cloth.. yes- lots of cleaners can cause eventual damage but you'll notice it in 50 years if you're still in that house and still have granite counters (from the mouth of the granite installer/owner of company).. at first we also went crazy on special cleaners $$ or our own mixes...

+100 on just windex or whatever. The sealer on our counter tops is very strong. No sign of wear what so ever: 8 years

windex and microfiber cloth.. yes- lots of cleaners can cause eventual damage but you'll notice it in 50 years if you're still in that house and still have granite counters (from the mouth of the granite installer/owner of company).. at first we also went crazy on special cleaners $$ or our own mixes...

I LOVE Method granite cleaner...keep it in the kitchen and bathrooms...great smell and really leaves a nice shine.

I only use good cleaner when it come to my Granite Countertops. It always surely looks like new.

Vinegar and water mixture in a spray bottle

PLEDGE!!!! AWESOME for Granite. If you are worried about the chemicals, then just wipe with a clean cloth after using the pledge.

OP here, thank you for all the suggestions!

Yes, I wouldn't use acid on stone, though granite may be able to handle a mild acid like vinegar. I'd still expect some damage over time.

Vinegar would NOT be a good thing to use on polished marble at all.

15:19 - google it for yourself. Not an obscure topic. http://www.ehow.com/way_5553663_can-use-vinegar-clean-granite.html

I use a wet sponge or rag and dry immediately with a towel. I just use water 90% of the time, other times I wash with soapy water.

Vinegar and water in a spray bottle (1 part vinegar to 3 parts water) works great on granite. I used it every day. I have not noticed any damage. Please post a link if there's info on vinegar damaging stone. I use vinegar and water and baking soda for cleaning my house, and it smells great - no nasty chemical smells.

Vinegar does dissolve minerals, which is why it works great on getting out water spots on glasses or hard water lines on vases -- soak the glass or vase in a vinegar/water mix, and goodbye water spots/hard water lines.

I'll keep using it until I'm convinced it does something bad to my granite, which is so hard, I'd be surprised anything could damage it.

Sometimes a sponge...and usually those big Clorox wipes from Costco (the yellow, green, orange pack). I think most of them are bleach free.

I also have some organic cleaner from Target that I love the smell of (Caldera line). I use that before company comes over or when I need a lift.

Anonymous wrote:Mine always feel gritty, like I can never get all the crumbs off, even after I've just wiped them. I have to go over them several times to get them to feel smooth to the touch. Does that mean they need to be sealed? I'm wondering if crumbs are hiding in tiny cracks or crevices - would resealing help?

I had that problem in our condo and it drove me NUTS. We just moved about three weeks ago and are still in the midst of move-in chaos so I haven't had the chance to really take notice or our new granite... if sealing will keep it from that crumb-y feeling, how do I do it??

Wet microfiber cloth. Sometimes i'll run the sponge with soapy water over it first, then polish with the microfiber cloth.

Mine always feel gritty, like I can never get all the crumbs off, even after I've just wiped them. I have to go over them several times to get them to feel smooth to the touch. Does that mean they need to be sealed? I'm wondering if crumbs are hiding in tiny cracks or crevices - would resealing help?