When you're doing a DIY woodworking project, it's a good idea to start with a fresh, clean surface. But whatever you do, if you're working with untreated wood, don't use a Clorox wipe to clear off dust and dirt. Because untreated or unpainted wood is porous, disinfectant wipes can leave it with a big, ugly stain.
Don't use them on other absorbent surfaces.
Like most disinfectants, Clorox wipes are approved to disinfect only non-porous surfaces. It's best to avoid unfinished, unsealed, unpainted, waxed, oiled, or worn surfaces.
Lysol disinfecting wipes are specially formulated to be safe on most finished wood surfaces such as cabinets, tables, and floors. However, they aren't recommended for untreated, unpainted, or unfinished porous wood surfaces. It's always best to do a quick spot test before applying wipes to your wood furniture.
Can You Use Clorox Wipes on Any Surfaces? Many consumers think Clorox wipes have one common ingredient in many cleaning products have – bleach. According to a representative from Clorox informed that the wipes actually don't have any bleach in them. Thus, they are safe on all hard, non-porous surfaces.
A mixture of 1 part Chlorine Bleach, (Clorox) to 32 parts water (½ cup bleach per gallon of water, or 4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water) will need to sit on surfaces for 5-10 minutes in order to disinfect them. We found this did not harm either of our wood finishes.
Easiest Wood Cleaner
For an effective alternative to wood cleaners and polishes that takes about 3 seconds, use baby wipes to whip your wood furniture and paneling into shape. Perfect for when company is on the way and you realize you haven't dusted!
It's easy to disinfect your doorknobs, and you can do this using a disinfecting spray or wipe. We would recommend Lysol® Disinfectant Spray and Lysol® Disinfecting Wipes. They kill 99.9% of viruses, bacteria and fungi, including eight cold and flu viruses when used as directed on hard surfaces.
A simple solution of half a cup of distilled white vinegar, half a cup of warm water and a teaspoon of mild dish detergent like Dawn will also do the trick. Be sure to test the mixture first in a hidden area of the wood to make sure it does not damage the finish.
For example, chlorine disinfecting wipes are not meant to be used on food contact surfaces and the label clearly states this. The label also advises rinsing with potable (drinkable) water if these are used on a food contact surface. Many different types of chemical agents can be used for sanitizing and disinfecting.
If you want to disinfect this area of your home but you don't want to bring harsh chemicals into your house, consider a more natural cleaning solution such as a vinegar solution. To create this, make a 50/50 solution of warm water and vinegar. Spray the solution on your cabinets and wipe them clean.
To sanitize a cutting board, either plastic or wood, use a dilute chlorine bleach solution (1 tablespoon per gallon of cool water). Be sure to rinse it well with warm water.
Mix a tablespoon of vinegar into a spray bottle containing a few ounces of water, then squirt the solution onto the affected area, wiping away with a damp cloth. Wipe the cleaned area with a dry cloth afterward to keep the moisture from soaking into the wood.
The exterior of a toilet, including the handle and the seat, can be disinfected with the same bleach and water solution used for other bleach-safe surfaces in your home, making sure the surface stays wet with the solution for 6 minutes before rinsing.
Don't Use a Clorox Wipe on Multiple Surfaces
Use enough of the product to keep a surface visibly wet for four minutes, and then rinse with water afterward if your surface will come into direct contact with food.
Hit all the dirt-and-germ hotspots in your home, including door handles, TV remotes and more. Use Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes on: Refrigerator and microwave door handles.
While Clorox says you can use its disinfecting wipes on wood, an asterisk notes the company means only "polyurethane treated wood." Because unfinished wood acts as a sponge, it can absorb too much of the wipes' cleaning solution, eventually swelling, cracking, or warping.
Many cleaners are too harsh for hardwood surfaces, but because baby wipes are formulated for very sensitive skin, they're also great for sensitive wood. If your hardwood surfaces get a little dirty and dingy, clean them off with a baby wipe!
Rubbing alcohol and finished wood don't mix well. A rubbing alcohol spill on your wood furniture can be disastrous, as they are often permanent stains. That's why taking care of the stain promptly and properly is critical. Fixing a rubbing alcohol stain on a tabletop is possible, but you'll need to do it quickly.
Scrub the wood down using soapy water or a combination of detergent, bleach, and water to clean the wood. Always remember to protect yourself with proper safety equipment from the fumes of the cleaner and any mold spores. If the wood isn't cleaned the first time, don't be afraid to restart the process.
If it is real wood, you can use Lysol spray to disinfect its surface — but only occasionally. You may also use a diluted form of Lysol to clean its surface — but that again only occasionally. These instances of water coming in contact with the wood should be minimal.
Begin by creating a diluted solution of warm water with mild dish soap. Or for an even gentler clean, opt for white vinegar - a good ratio to work with is 240 ml (1 cup) of water to 45 ml (three tablespoons) of vinegar. Next, clean any dust off the table and chairs by wiping it down with a cloth.
Plastic cutting board: After cleaning off all food debris, soak the cutting board in a solution using 2 teaspoons of Clorox® Regular-Bleach per gallon of water. Let stand 2 minutes, then air dry.
Cleaning your wooden floors with Lysol®
You can clean polished wood or non-porous hardwood floors with Lysol® . If you're just looking to – you can use Lysol® All-Purpose Cleaner to clean and disinfect your floor surface without causing damage to the wood.