Lysol wipes are safe to use on your countertops. Avoid wipes and cleaners specific to granite and natural stone. When it comes to disinfecting your surface, please take the proper precaution and remember that disinfecting should not take the place of your daily cleaning routine.
However, many of them can pose a risk to a natural stone surface. Bleach, vinegar, the ingredients in Lysol, and others can cause permanent damage, especially if used incorrectly. Acids, such as vinegar and even lemon juice, can break down the sealant that is used on stone countertops.
No, you can't use disinfecting wipes on granite countertops. This is because disinfecting wipes contain citric acid as their primary ingredient. This is highly acidic and weakens the seal on your countertop's surface leaving them vulnerable to stains and discoloration.
It's important for surface disinfection that the solution is 70 percent isopropyl alcohol. Experts recommend letting alcohol sit on the surface for 8-10 minutes before wiping it dry, to kill all viruses, particularly coronaviruses.
Quartz Countertop Cleaners to Avoid
Most household cleaners you would usually use to do a quick clean with such as Windex, vinegar and Lysol wipes (some of which contain bleach) are not a good idea for quartz countertops.
Isopropyl alcohol, commonly known as rubbing alcohol mixed with water is an effective disinfectant solution for disinfecting quartz. The second way to disinfection quartz countertops is the age-old dish soap and water.
The safest daily cleaner for your quartz is dish soap. But you can use any mild PH-neutral cleaner without issue. To keep your counters in good condition, put potholders down before placing hot pans on the counter, clean the counters daily, and address spills as fast as possible.
If you don't have a coating on your natural stone surfaces but are still worried about disinfecting, regular Clorox Wipes can be used to give your counters a wipe down in a pinch, but don't let them sit directly on the stone!
If you can't find specialized cleaning solutions designed especially for natural stone, mild dish soap will do just fine. Wet a soft, preferably microfiber rag in warm water and gently rub the soap on the surface of the counter.
It's a great product, but not for your granite!
Probably one of the easiest items to use are wipes—which are particularly popular for brands such as Clorox or Lysol. Sure, they are convenient, but you should keep them far away from your granite countertops.
Weiman Granite & Stone Disinfecting Wipes wipe up tough messes while leaving a streak-free shine. Clean, shine and disinfect countertops, floors, showers, sinks and more in kitchens, bathrooms, and other household areas.
The acids contained in these cleaners will degrade the sealant and can leave unsightly stains on the countertop. That means those Clorox disinfecting wipes (which contain citric acid) that make cleanup so easy are actually quite bad for your granite's seal.
Clean stone surfaces with a few drops of neutral cleaner, stone soap (specific products from Lithofin for example), or a dishwashing detergent and warm water. Use a clean soft cloth for best results. Too much cleaner or soap may leave a film and cause streaks.
To look after your countertop surfaces, you should wipe up any food residue, liquid or grime as soon as they appear. To clean your countertops, we would recommend a strong antibacterial cleaner such as Lysol® All-Purpose Cleaner.
Bleach, vinegar and cleaning products from household names like Clorox and Lysol can all cause irreparable damage to marble countertops. These cleaners, while potentially useful in stopping the spread of disease, can take the luster away from your stone surface and cause etching — a series of dull, permanent scars.
If after a few minutes the water has soaked into the granite, then it's time to reseal the stone. DON'T: Use harsh or abrasive cleaners and sponges. Windex; acidic cleaners, like vinegar, lemon, lime; or anything with ammonia or bleach should be avoided.
The multi-purpose cleaner contains bleach, which is extremely harmful for granite and many other natural stones. The wipes are also a cleaner you should stay away from, as they contain citric acid that can cause your sealant to wear down.
Windex contains ingredients that can permanently damage the granite. While the most common damage done by Windex is dulling the shine of the countertops, it can also cause pitting.
Clean stone surfaces with warm water and a mild soap such as a clear Dawn Liquid Soap. Do not use products that contain lemon, vinegar or other acids on marble or limestone.
Maintenance and Cleaning of Natural Stone Surfaces
Never use abrasive cleansers, “soft scrub” products, or harsh/acidic chemicals on any stone as these can scratch or dull the polished finish. This includes substances like ammonia or many common liquid cleaners, such as Windex.
Disinfecting wipes are not suitable for quartz countertops as their primary ingredient, citric acid, is not diluted. If you use these wipes on your countertop surface it will weaken the seal and cause discoloration to occur. Therefore, avoid using them when cleaning quartz counters.
Conclusion. Clorox wipes should never be used to clean your quartz countertops because the solution used in the wipes can potentially damage the surface. Instead, use warm water and mild soap, white vinegar and water or a quartz cleaner.
Windex is considered a base and has a pretty high pH level, which means it could be damaging to quartz. Some cleaners say it's okay to use in small quantities, while others warn against it. For the safest and most sure option to keeping your quartz clean, skip Windex and opt for a mild cleaner like dish soap.