Can I mix?Reviewed: 2025-12-27~1 min

Can I mix vinegar and dish soap on natural stone surfaces like granite or marble?

Short answer

⚠️Depends / use caution

It depends — vinegar should be avoided on marble, limestone, and travertine, and even many granites; a tiny amount of mild dish soap in water (no vinegar) can be okay for sealed granite with a thorough rinse and dry.

Why people ask this

People want a simple kitchen spray for cleaning granite or marble counters. They’ve heard vinegar-and-soap works on glass and stainless steel and wonder if it’s safe for stone. Natural stone varies: marble and limestone are acid-sensitive (calcite-based), while many granites are harder and less reactive. Mixes that seem gentle elsewhere can etch or dull a polished stone finish or degrade the sealer.

When it might be safe

On dense, well-sealed granite only, using an extremely dilute mix (for example, 1 teaspoon vinegar in 2 cups water with a drop of mild dish soap), wiped on and immediately rinsed and dried.
Quick spot-cleaning of a small, greasy patch on sealed granite, followed by a neutralizing wipe with clean water and a microfiber dry.
After confirming in an inconspicuous area that the finish doesn’t dull or rainbow, and only on non-calcareous stones (avoid marble/limestone/travertine).
Using a pH indicator wipe or test to ensure the surface isn’t left acidic; finish with a water-only wipe to bring pH back toward neutral.

When it is not safe

Marble, limestone, and travertine (calcite-based stones) where vinegar’s acid can etch and dull the surface.
Unsealed or worn-seal granite, where acids and surfactants can penetrate and stain the stone.
Polished stone finishes (especially polished marble) that show etching as cloudy rings or dull spots.
Leave-on or soak cleaning, daily maintenance spraying, or allowing the vinegar-soap mix to dry on the stone.

Possible risks

Etching on marble/limestone: acetic acid reacts with calcite, leaving dull, light spots that require honing or polishing to fix.
Sealer degradation on granite, leading to darkening, water marks, or increased staining susceptibility.
Soap film residue that causes streaking, haziness, and traps grime on polished stone surfaces.
Worsening of microfissures or resin-filled pits on some stones due to repeated acid exposure.
Uneven sheen or ‘rainbowing’ on polished granite if not fully rinsed and dried.

Safer alternatives

Use a pH-neutral, stone-safe cleaner specifically labeled for granite and marble for routine cleaning.
For sealed granite only: warm water with a drop of mild dish soap (no vinegar), then rinse with clean water and dry with microfiber.
For disinfecting sealed granite: 50/50 isopropyl alcohol and water, light spray, short contact time, then rinse and dry.
For greasy splatters: a stone-safe alkaline degreaser (pH-neutral to mildly alkaline) per label, not citrus or vinegar-based cleaners.
Maintain protection: reseal stone per manufacturer guidance and wipe spills (wine, lemon juice, vinegar) immediately.

Bottom line

If the surface is marble, limestone, or travertine, skip vinegar entirely. On sealed granite, an extremely dilute vinegar-and-soap wipe with immediate rinse may be tolerated, but it’s safer to use dish soap and water only—or better, a pH-neutral stone cleaner.