Using disinfectant wipes on any kitchen worktop is a simple and effective way of cleaning and disinfecting your busy kitchen. However, can you use disinfectant wipes on granite countertops to keep them clean? If you have granite worktops you will know that the granite material is sensitive to certain ingredients and therefore all cleaning supplies will need to be chosen carefully.
How Durable Is Granite As A Material?
Granite is one of the best materials you could pick for your kitchen countertops if you are looking for a durable long-lasting design. Granite is made from all-natural materials and therefore is hard in strength. Granite also has benefit of being resistant to scratches and stains when compared to other kitchen countertop materials. If you take good care of your granite countertops and use the appropriate cleaning products regularly, this will help your granite countertops to stay looking brand new and stain-proof.
What Ingredients Are In Disinfectant Wipes?
Using disinfectant wipes on granite countertops is one of the easiest ways to clean your surfaces but unfortunately may not be the best method due to the list of ingredients in the disinfectant wipes. Disinfectant wipes are designed to be powerful and full of antibacterial ingredients and chemicals which can be harsh in nature. Granite does not react well to some of these ingredients such as lemon juice, vinegar, or anything that may be high in acidity levels. Not only is your granite super sensitive to acidic ingredients, but it also will not respond well to alkaline-based ingredients either.
Using Clorox wipes on granite countertops is not advised as the wipes are commonly made up of ingredients such as Alkyl Polyglucoside, Ethanolamine, and Ethanol Alcohol. All these ingredients will affect pH levels and therefore may harm your granite.
Can You Use Disinfectant Wipes On Granite Countertops?
The quick answer is no, we would strongly advise that you do not attempt to use any brand of disinfectant wipes on your granite kitchen countertops. These kinds of disinfectant wipes can be tempting to use as they are quick to grab and not only will wipe up the mess but make sure that nasty bacteria is killed but, they should be avoided! The reason you should avoid Clorox wipes on granite countertops is that they contain large amounts of citric acid. As citric acid is very strong, these ingredients can break down the sealant that is placed on the granite kitchen worktops which is there to protect it. Using strong-smelling disinfectant wipes on granite countertops would be the worst kind of chemical wipes you could select. If the scent of the disinfectant wipes is strong, it is a strong indicator that the levels of citric acid are a lot higher.
How To Protect Your Granite
Here are two simple ways you can make sure you protect your granite countertops to make sure that you get the full length of life your durable granite countertops promise:
- Clean Your Granite Properly
- Seal Your Granite
Clean Your Granite Properly
If disinfectant wipes are your go-to cleaning product you can try replacing them with wipes that are suitable for use of granite. Using specialized granite cleaning wipes can give all the benefits normal disinfectant wipes can give but they promise not to damage or break down the sealant on your granite kitchen counter. If you are purchasing specialized granite cleaning wipes you will need to make sure that the wipes are made from a pH-balanced formula while also being free from ingredients such as citric acid, bleach, lemon, and orange. It is also important that you make sure that no matter what cleaning products you are using on your granite countertops that it is safe for food preparation.
How To Clean Granite
If you are looking for some alternative ideas on how to clean your granite other than purchasing granite-friendly cleaning wipes, we can also help! Here is a list of instructions to follow when you are learning how to clean your granite countertops:
- Make sure to use a smooth cloth such as a microfiber cloth or washcloth.
- Use a cleaning product that does not contain bleach or any other damaging ingredient.
- Use only a few drops of the cleaning product each time you clean the granite countertop.
- Always sweep your granite countertops with a dry cloth before cleaning properly to remove crumbs that could end up scratching your granite worktop.
- Mix your cleaning product with water to dilute the strength in order to protect your granite countertop.
- Make sure you wash the cleaning product properly with water before finishing the cleaning process.
Seal Your Granite
The reason your granite countertop may benefit from being sealed is that granite is a porous material that is delicate to damage and stains. Quartz can be more resistant to such damage due to being man-made with its added resin ingredient. As granite is porous, stains and spills will quickly get absorbed and affect your granite. It is advised that you seal your granite once every year to make sure that the protective coat is working correctly as a barrier.
If you are sealing the granite yourself it is advised that you do some research into which product you are purchasing to seal the granite and make sure that it specifically is designed for granite. It is easy to apply these products by spraying them from at least three feet away and using a microfiber cloth to rub the product in.
Speak to a professional
Once you have had your granite kitchen worktops fitted you will want to make sure they are properly cleaned and cared for to make sure that the granite keeps in its best condition. If you visit our branch to discuss your worktop, a professional will help guide you on the best way to care for your kitchen countertop. Call Marble Concepts to cut and install your stunning granite countertops today. Get your kitchen or bathrooms renovated with Granite today. Give us a call at 215-396-7393 today to learn more.
