Whilst granite is a common building material thanks to its attractive colouring and durability, granite that has been installed in bathroom and kitchen areas can develop soap stains if not attended to correctly. Many cleaners, such as those that are acid-based and contain alkaline (or ammonia) ingredients, can actually damage your granite, so avoid using such methods at all cost.
Instead, you should apply a small amount of isopropyl rubbing alcohol to a clean soft cloth. Rub the cloth in a circular motion over the areas of the granite that have been subjected to soap stains. This will allow the alcohol to completely penetrate the stain and help to lift it.
Reapply some isopropyl rubbing alcohol to the cloth, and use it to wipe at the soap stain until it has been completely removed. Dry your granite using a new soft cloth and it is ready to use once more.
The reason that isopropyl rubbing alcohol is safe to use on granite is that it has a neutral pH level, meaning that the liquid is non-acidic and non-alkaline. This means that the cleaner doesn’t pose the risk of scratching, etching or adding to the stain on the granite’s surface.
When working to remove soap stains from your granite counters, you should keep in mind to never use an abrasive or acidic cleaner (such as Jif and Ajax) and to never use a scrubbing pad. Using the rubbing alcohol and a soft cloth is sufficient to remove the stain, and only requires a little elbow grease.