I hate them. The only way to clean them properly in my experience was with one of those paint removal razors and Windex.

We have granite in my kitchen. To make things even more streaky, its called black galaxy! I usually clean them with my standard disinfectant. Since that leaves streaks, I go over it with, image this, windex and a microfiber cloth. It leaves it streak free and absolutely beautiful. I would imagine any streak free glass cleaner would work.

I use Clorox wipies for general sanitation, and Caldrea counter top spray which does a great job cleaning and leaving a streak-free finish.

I also have dark granite (and love it). For my next kitchen renovation, I would definitely consider light granite.

My mom swears by Perfect Granite and has gotten multiple friends hooked on it as well. She gets it at Bed n' Bath but I'm sure they sell it elsewhere as well.

I have pebbled granite (hate it, rental). I use Method all-purpose spray for basic spritzing/clean up. They make a granite cleaner, but it's even more expensive and the all-purpose does fine for a basic wipe-down. It can be a real pain, though, if the counter is actually DIRTY. I seem to have to go over and over it before it feels smooth and clean. I'm thinking of trying a dough scraper.

My family uses Clorox Green Works, and of course a sealing every 6 months.

My dad invested in a black granite counter for a kitchen island, and it is constantly covered by a cheap plastic tablecloth with a fabric back. NOTHING is allowed to be placed on the granite -- no dishes, no glasses, not even the mail! He watches that thing like a hawk and you better not even brush up against it. I told my mom that I'm tap dancing on top of it once he's dead.

Sprayway makes a granite and marble cleaner on top of their regular "glass" cleaner. Not sure if there's a difference because we have GREAT success simply using the glass cleaner to remove the streaks left behind by our bleach wipes.

Our granite is light with dark brown and red veins. Everything smaller than a 1'x1' disappears when you set it down.

i use method for granite. it's ok. sometimes, i need to go back over again to get rid of the streaks. mine is dark and always looked streaky with the regular cleaner.

@ajhanson1 - I do the same...standard disinfectant and then windex with a microfiber clothe.

I was told not to use Windex. Plain old soap and water with a good rinse leave my countertops looking just fine.

I use Method's granite counter top cleaner and while I do get some streaks, it's not that big of a deal to me. I was under the impression that I could not use Windex so I've always just gone w/a cleanser marketed for granite use. We also seal ours once/year in the Spring.

I use Simple Green Stone Cleaner & Stone Polish--no streaks!

I have sealed lighter granite and I use rubbing alcohol on it once a week to take away the build-up. It leaves my counters shinier and smooth to the touch. Day to day I use a windex product without vinegar. I had read that vinegar can pit granite.

I owned a cleaning business for 10 years- here's the skinny:

A good nubby rag in hot soapy water. (whatever you use to wash your dishes in the sink is fine) This gets the gunk/residual food off- yes, some elbow grease may be required.

Then a once over with Windex or plain old white vinegar in a spray bottle and either a microfiber cloth or paper towels.

And for the love of all that is good- never get black granite countertops. That is if you value your sanity...they just show EVERYTHING, and life's too short! :)

I'm with stephie80.... My extremely dark green granite... so dark it's almost black... is always getting greasy but I have no problem shining it with plain ole' soap and water, a little elbow grease and a rinse. The real trick to make it streak-free is to dry it with a terry towel. Maybe the lighter colors would be easier to hide any streaks but I do love my Verde Butterfly.

My husband uses water and an old, soft, 100% cotton t-shirt and they come out amazingly shiny and streak-free. Plus, who doesn't love to see a man scrubbing the kitchen?

Does anyone have any ideas for removing rust stains from granite? I think that my countertop was not sealed properly and I have some stains from steel wool. THANKS!

Never had to deal with rust, but I once left a greasy croissant on my "kashmir white" granite for several hours. I soaked a cloth in acetone, put it over the stain, covered it with plastic wrap and taped the wrap to the counter, then left it overnight. It actually worked pretty well at leeching out the grease.

Now I use a sponge and general cleaner for drops and splatters and follow that with Method's granite cleaner and a microfiber cloth, never streaks.

soap & water & dry it with a microfiber cloth or any other soft cloth. I love my new black granite counter top, clean, dirty doesn't matter, I still love it!

I use Mrs. Meyers countertop spray (actually the all-purpose, converted into countertop spray) to degrease, and "clean". When company is coming over I often run over the whole thing with a wet (with water) sponge and dry it with a quick swipe of my dishtowel.

I guess maybe I'm not quite as careful with my granite as I should be but, I mean...it's rock...right?

I have black galaxy granite, and it's easy to clean. a few sprays of Granite Gold (I think that's what it's called) and it's shiny and beautiful!

Hmm. I have black granite countertops, and don't understand what the fuss is about. I have a spray bottle with water and about 10% cleaner, and use this to clean the tops. Quick rinse with water, and then I wipe them with a tea towel to remove streaks. They look lovely and shiny.

I can't imagine using Windex or specialty cleaners - life is too short!

I use a foaming window cleaner - the kind they use at a professional car body shop. Cleans, leaves behind no streaks, and smells kind of nice, too!

Any pH balanced cleaner can be used on a granite countertop. Some cleaners have better short term and long term results. For example, Dawn dishwashing soap is pH balanced and requires a rinse. The good thing it's cheap! You should never choose to use an acidic product like vinegar. Here is a link with some good articles on cleaning granite countertops.