When you upgrade your kitchen countertops to granite, you are making an investment in the appearance of your home. You want the natural stone countertops to gleam and glimmer for years to come. That’s why you should do everything possible to clean and maintain them properly.
Many homeowners wonder which household products they can use to keep their granite clean, and the question about using Clorox wipes on granite counters is a common one.
Most people want to make good use of the cleaning products they already have in the home. Clorox wipes are often a household staple, used for cleaning everything from the toilets to the light switches. They are a multi-purpose product that makes cleaning easy for everyone – no elbow grease needed. It only makes sense that you would want to use these Clorox wipes to clean the stains and spills off your kitchen counters.
If you have been tempted to use these wipes on your granite countertops, let’s take a closer look at just how they might affect your home.
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Can You Use Clorox Wipes on Granite Countertops?
Like many homeowners, you probably have a few containers of disinfecting wipes stashed away beneath your kitchen sink. Clorox is perhaps the most common name brand, but you might also have some of these Lysol disinfecting wipes (on Amazon). The actual production of the two products is relatively similar. This is why we do not recommend using either type of product on your granite countertops.
Can you use Clorox wipes on granite?
No. You should not use Clorox wipes on granite. Clorox Wipes contain citric acid as a primary ingredient. This ingredient can quickly eat away at the sealer on your countertops.
Furthermore, many of these Clorox wipes come in citrus scents that contain lemon or orange extracts. You might love the convenience of these disinfecting wipes, but they should be avoided at all costs.
Clorox wipes can ruin your countertops to prevent you from being tempted to use them in the future.
Let’s start with how to properly take care of your granite countertops and what to use instead.
Sealing Your Granite
Granite countertops are actually a porous material. This means that they quickly absorb spills and can collect stains quite easily. You can avoid many of these common complaints by regularly sealing your countertops with specially formulated products. This spray bottle from Granite Gold is made to help homeowners seal their own granite countertops at home.
The steps to using this type of sealer are relatively simple:
- Spray the cleaner onto clean granite countertops. For ease of use, you should only spray a 3-foot section at a time.
- Wipe the spray up with a clean microfiber cloth.
- Wait 20 minutes between applications.
- Complete this process three times in total.
Keep in mind that all granite countertops are going to be slightly different. Some are treated with resins that do not require regular sealant application. Others must be newly sealed every six months to one year in order to protect the surface. No matter how often your granite countertops need to be sealed, you need to take good care of them in between applications.
What to Avoid on Sealed Granite
Now that you know how to protect your granite efficiently, you should know what to avoid. Understanding the types of cleaners that can damage the finish on your granite is extremely important. Many popular household cleaners contain these ingredients, so be sure to read the packaging of any potential cleaner with a keen eye. An ounce of prevention can go a long way toward protecting your granite for the long haul.
You should never clean your granite countertops with anything that contains:
- Lemon extract
- Orange extract
- Vinegar
- Bleach
- Citric acid
All of these materials are notoriously bad for your countertops. These acidic components cause damage to your countertops by depleting your sealer. With repeated use, your sealer disappears prematurely and the granite becomes more susceptible to stains. You would need to seal your granite far more often than is typically recommended if you were using these types of cleaners.
Because you will have to spend more time sealing your counters, you will be wasting both money and time. It is best to stick with products that are well-known and designed to nourish your countertops instead of destroying them.
Not only does your granite become more likely to stain with spills when you use these cleaners, but the cleaners themselves can also leave behind their own stubborn stains.
Unfortunately, using Clorox wipes fall into this category of products you should avoid.
If you want the convenience of using wipes on your granite countertops, keep reading for another solution.
How to Properly and Thoroughly Clean Your Granite Countertops
If you can’t use these convenient Clorox wipes on your granite countertops, how are you expected to keep them looking like new? Fortunately, the process of cleaning your granite doesn’t have to be complicated or cumbersome. You can achieve a gleaming finish on your sealed granite countertops with just a few common household ingredients.
Cleaning Your Countertops
All you need is a washcloth, warm water, and a few drops of dish detergent. The dish detergent provides a simple and safe solution when you need to disinfect your countertops. This is ideal if you are often preparing foods like raw meats that require an antibacterial cleaner. Unlike harsh cleaners, this dish soap gets the job done right without ruining your granite.
- Prepare your countertops. Take a microfiber cloth and quickly run it over the countertops to remove dust, loose crumbs, and other bits of debris. This helps to prevent your granite from scratching when you start to scrub.
- Mix together your cleaning solution. In a large bowl, mix together the warm water and dish detergent. This will be the only cleaning solution that you need for regular maintenance of your countertops.
- Get ready to clean. Dip the washcloth in the solution and wring it out until it is just damp. Apply the rag to your granite countertops, scrubbing them in a circular fashion to loosen up spills and splatters. You might need to apply a little extra force to remove buildup from the surface of the granite.
- Finish the job. When you have finished, take a clean and dry microfiber towel to dry the counters. This helps to keep the water from being absorbed by the granite. Drying the countertops removes water stains and spots associated with air drying.
It might be easier for you to work in sections when you clean your granite so that you can effectively dry them instead of allowing them to air dry. Consider working in three-foot sections, just as if you were sealing the granite.
Adding Shine
This helps to keep your countertops clean, but what about their appearance? If you want to add extra shine to your countertops, many experts recommend spritzing them with Windex. This can make your countertops reflect more light and glitter like freshly cleaned glass. Make sure to wipe them down thoroughly using a microfiber cloth or a clean paper towel after you spray them.
Consider that ammonia is another cleaner that could be too harsh on your countertops. You might want to consider purchasing a formula that contains no ammonia. Some people refer to these types of cleaners as “green Windex.”
If you want to stick with the Windex name brand, they have a Crystal Rain version that does not have the traditional ammonia. While it is a little more expensive than the original product, it could be a worthwhile investment to protect your granite from harm. This pack of two comes with two large 26-fluid-ounce bottles.
Cleaning Stubborn Stains
Maybe you have a few stubborn stains that need something a little stronger than dish detergent and water. It is popular to use harsh cleaners like bleach or ammonia to remove stains, but this is not recommended. It is never a great time to use Clorox wipes on your granite countertops.
Stains do call for a slightly more abrasive treatment than warm water and dish detergent. However, you can still use common household ingredients to remove oil stains, water rings, and more. All you really need to remove a stubborn stain is a little bit of baking soda, some water, and some fortitude.
- Create your paste. Combine one teaspoon of baking soda with warm water until it becomes the consistency of thick toothpaste.
- Prepare your countertops. Brush away crumbs, dust, and dirt from the affected area. You may also want to wipe it down with dish detergent and water, rinsing it thoroughly when finished. This ensures that your countertops are clean and ready to receive stain treatment.
- Add the paste. Spread the paste over your stubborn stain and allow it to soak for a few minutes. If the stains are particularly stubborn, you might need to let this paste sit for several hours.
- Clean the affected area. When you are ready to remove the paste, simply wipe it clean with warm water and a dishcloth. A small amount of dish detergent might be necessary to thoroughly clean the area.
- Try again. If the stain does not remove itself after attempting the paste once, you may choose to try it again. Allow the paste to sit for a longer period of time before attempting to scrub it clean once more.
Using Granite Cleaning Wipes
Does this process of cleaning your granite countertops sound too time-consuming for you? People often prefer more convenient methods of scrubbing their granite countertops clean. That is why so many homeowners turn to Clorox wipes in the first place. They promise a quick and easy way to remove stains and spills from your countertops.
Some cleaning companies understand that these wipes are certainly convenient. That’s why they have developed similar products that are actually safe for use on your granite countertops.
When you purchase granite cleaning wipes, there are a few criteria that you need to search for:
- pH balanced formula
- Non-toxic
- Free of ammonia, citric acid, bleach, lemon, and orange
- Safe for food surfaces
Weiman is one of the most respected name brands when it comes to specialized cleaners. They have created a granite and stone wipe that is great for daily cleaning and meets all of the criteria above. The formula is designed to polish faded stone countertops with a streak-free finish. Unlike with Clorox wipes, the pH balance in these wipes prevents the sealer from staining, discoloring, and deteriorating. You can purchase these wipes in bulk.
If you are searching for a multi-purpose cleaner, you might prefer this option from Granite Gold. Use these wipes on a number of different surfaces including granite, marble, stainless steel, and glass. They are non-toxic and contain no ammonia or acid that can damage the finish of your granite. Each container of wipes contains forty thick cleaning wipes.
Can You Use Clorox Wipes on Granite? The Final Answer
It might be disappointing to learn that you cannot use Clorox wipes on your granite countertops. When you first install these countertops in your kitchen, you are making an investment in your home. Using Clorox wipes and other related products can eat away at the sealer and cause long-term damage to your stone countertops.
Make sure that you are paying close attention to the products you use to clean your countertops. Following these steps to clean your granite with warm, soapy water and special cleaning cloths will help your granite to shine for years to come. Check with the manufacturer of your granite to see what they recommend when it comes to regularly sealing the stone to protect it.
When you have granite countertops, you want to do everything possible to maintain them properly. These helpful tips will help to keep your granite looking newer for longer.
Last update on 2024-04-03 at 05:03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
