Cleaning can be so tiring but the stress is usually worth it 100% of the time. If there is anything that should be cleaned, it is everything. And when it comes to Quartz countertops, people are likely to touch it first before coming to your pot of soup. Hence, you have to pay great attention to make sure germs don’t colonize your life.
The same way you reduce physical clutter to avoid feeling miserable throughout the day, make sure your cleanliness in the kitchen is next to Godliness.
In fact, cleanliness on a Quartz countertop is next to heavenliness. But can something as beautiful as Quartz be cleaned by every cleaning agent in the market? Maybe or maybe not.
The question would be considered today. So, are Clorox Wipes suitable for Quartz surfaces? If yes, why? It might shock you at what you get to learn about what you know.
Can you use Clorox Wipes on Quartz countertops
Clorox wipes are not suitable for Quartz Countertops because of the presence of citric acid in them. Citric acid would make your Quartz slab susceptible to discoloration.
Clorox wipes are designed to clean surfaces, but they may not be the best choice for use on quartz countertops.
Quartz is a very hard and scratch-resistant material, so using cloths or wipes that are not made specifically for cleaning quartz surfaces could lead to damage. Additionally, Clorox wipes contain chlorine dioxide which can cause discoloration and fading of the surface if it’s used too frequently or in high concentrations.
Do you know the benefits of cleaning?
I bet you do. Cleaning solves many problems. Cleaning also stops an accident. Good hygiene in the kitchen and anywhere else is the best way to increase productivity and health. This is a very important part of mankind and so is the equipment that is used.
That equipment ranges from abrasives that scrap dirt off really hard surfaces to acids that eliminate rust spots from restroom facilities. Also, on that list are degreasers that dissolve organic stains, and detergents that break up soil and dirt on clothes and dishes.
Countertops are to be cleaned and there are different types. They could be made up of Granite, Quartz, Stainless, laminate, marble, concrete, reclaimed wood, Porcelain, recycled glass, or Soapstone. My preference – Quartz countertops are among the most beautiful pieces of stone slabs you can use to make your property attractive.
Once you’ve gotten your countertop material, you need to consider how to maintain it.
You don’t just want to only clean surfaces, do you? You want to clean them in a way that would save you a lot of money, maintain the attractiveness of your property, and fight whatsoever disease-causing organism is out there.
There are several cleaning agents you can find in the market today. Hydrogen Peroxide (30% concentration), Baking Soda, Isopropyl Alcohol (70% concentration that is good at deactivating lipid viruses), Clorox Wipes, Lysol, drying time (yes! Giving some time for your wiped surface to dry is just as important as the wiping itself), etc.
Also note that the best cleaning agents usually possess three qualities: fragrance, disinfection, and sanitation. Just as there are amazing surfaces, there are also amazing cleaning agents. Clorox wipes are amongst the best cleaning agents you could find.
Many people haven’t stopped one day to consider whether their favorite detergents can be trusted on a truly multipurpose level. Have you? If you just said “yes”, then I believe you’ve asked yourself whether the excellent Clorox wipes are compatible with excellent Quartz surfaces.
The truth is cleaning agents could, in fact, do the opposite of what you expect them to do. They can also outperform your expectations. Sometimes, it depends on the product and other times, your ability to read the instructions on the container.
Many people just go on to use any cleaner they can find which usually leads to losses. Taking your time to ask the right sources the right questions could make a colossal difference.
What you need to know about Clorox Wipes
I remember using hard soap to wash a new cotton fabric last year. That made the cloth fade faster than it should have. Today, I still wear that cloth but it serves as a reminder to me that it is very important to research before using a particular cleaning agent on a type of cloth.
Now, I don’t mean you should use up to 1.5 GB worth of data every time to check the internet for how to wash a new cloth. As I said earlier, asking a few questions or just reading the instruction manual could be of help. I took a look at a Clorox Wipes container and researched a lot on it. The great facts I found about it blew my mind.
Clorox Wipes are pre-moistened disinfectant wipes that are just spectacular. Clorox Wipes are famous for being able to eliminate 99.9% of germs and viruses (including coronavirus) on nonporous surfaces within seconds. They don’t contain Phosphorus which is used in detergents to soften water. That’s a good thing, right? But phosphates in excess are harmful to aquatic life because they cause Eutrophication.
Do you care to know what that causes? Oxygen depletion in aquatic habitats. So The Clorox Company, the maker of Clorox products of which Clorox Bleach is a part, care a lot about our environment. That’s gorgeous. Finished wood, sealed granite, and stainless steel are the safest surfaces to apply Clorox Wipes. Is that all?
That’s not all. Clorox Wipes don’t contain bleach. During the months of the COVID–19 pandemics, Clorox Wipes were reportedly out of stock in warehouses repeatedly. Clorox Wipe kills Bacteria in just 10 seconds. It kills Cold and Flu Viruses, MRSA, allergens, Staph, E. Coli, Strep, Salmonella, and organisms that cause whooping cough.
Clorox Wipes are arguably America’s number one wipes. They are in the same league as grand cleaning and disinfecting agents like Lysol, Kirkland, and Member’s Mark. All these cleaning agents have a unique odor. Clorox Wipes have a lemon scent which is also applicable to restroom facilities.
What you need to know about Quartz and Quartz countertops
I love decorative stones! Ever wondered why corporate companies use them in their office spaces? It represents affluence, wealth, and professionalism. I like to joke that, if you want to defraud anybody, add some marble to your office floor and they would believe you.
What I’m saying, in essence, is that decorative stones are just beautiful and Quartz takes that beauty to an all-new dimension. I went through a Quartz store recently and what I learned about the slab made me so happy. I think you’ll like to know them as well.
Quartz stones also known as lustrous stones happen to be the second most common minerals on Earth. These stones are made into slabs called Engineered Stone which is used as countertops.
Quartz countertops resist Mildew and molds, unlike Corian. They don’t require sealant as Granite does and are not as overly porous as Marble. This enables Quartz to be stain-resistant because staining only happens when stains are absorbed. Quartz countertops are made up of crushed Quartz stones (93%) held strongly together by polyester or Epoxy resins (7%).
These resins are what promote stain-resistant property. Quartz is long-lasting because it is very chemical resistant. Such toughness gives it a high-performance status and the impeccable natural aesthetic it is known for.
So what are the cons of Quartz countertops? There are a few cons. It’s very likely for Quartz slabs to be chipped at the edges if care is not taken. Some people have complained of finding cloudy spots on their Quartz slab after a few years. That may be due to the brand manufacturer’s processing methods. It doesn’t cancel out the overall generality of this piece of heavenly stone.
Knowing some amazing things about Quartz is not enough. You still have some questions when you are told that Quartz is heat resistant and yet you shouldn’t expose to it hot chemicals. Or that Quartz is very hard and resistant to stain but you still mustn’t expose them to stains for a long time.
How else would we test those claims? ( I’m just kidding. Those claims are facts). You need to understand that there is a big difference between heat resistant and heatproof. There is also a big difference between stain-resistant and stain-proof.
What’s the difference? Stain-resistant means the substrate would try it’s best to not absorb stains. While stain proof means it can never be stained. So, I have just answered that question but many more questions may creep into your mind. I will address a few of them below.
It’s not right to run an abrasive on a Quartz surface. You would scratch it that way, period. The application of an abrasive tool would create lines, break the continuity of the resin spread, and provide avenues for staining. Clorox Wipes are as soft and wet as a damp piece of cotton. Imagine putting your fingers in powder and running them over grass. Smooth right? Exactly. However, Clorox wipes are smooth and won’t leave scratches, cuts, or even chips.
Some chemicals are not compatible with Quartz surfaces. Quartz can be discolored by acidic, alkaline, or bleach-based (hypochlorite-containing) substances. Example of such acidic substances includes Lemon, Orange, and Vinegar. So these chemicals are not good for Quartz surfaces. Bleach even corrodes metals.
In the 1980s, people across South America were noticing their floors and content tops turning blue. What was the cause? The reaction of a particular cleaning substance with the coloring agent in the Quartz surfaces.
Other toxic chemicals include nail polish, Turpentine, grease, solvent, permanent marker, Oven cleaners, dishwasher rinsing agent, etc. The action of these chemicals is greatly accelerated with the application of heat. Clorox Wipes contain many great ingredients. But one thing that makes them stand out is the presence of Citric acid in them. That answers our question with a big “no”.
Why do companies include these substances in their cleaning agents anyway?
These cleaning ingredients that seeming look harmful on Quartz is actually beneficial to other surfaces. Citric acid is known for killing bacteria, molds, and Mildew just as it removes soap scum, hard water stains, calcium deposits, lime, and rust. Bleach makes use of Chlorine as its most active agent to whiten surfaces and cloths.
Alkaline substances like those containing Ammonia serve as dispersants and work for hand in hand with other substances that prevent the redeposition of dissolved dirt. Alkaline substances also facilitate the dissolution of organic stains like protein, fats, etc.
What can you do now?
You now have an answer on whether or not you should use Clorox Wipes on Quartz. So, turning to other cleaning tools would be of great help. A very simple way to clean Quartz countertops is by using cloth, soap, and warm water. That also works for Granite surfaces.
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That would definitely restore the lustrous appearance of the surface and disinfect as well. If you want some fragrance, you could always get your favorite at a local store and spray it on the surface. Don’t forget to give the surface time to dry.
You can do that as often as is necessary. By “necessary”, I mean you should clean it whenever there’s a stain or spill. And also stick to the rules daily. No hot substances. No toxic chemicals. Having a cleaning timetable would also be of help.
I believe the executives of The Clorox Company are working on a better alternative for Quartz owners. They definitely understand that the taste of their loyal fans is turning from finished wood to Quartz. So they’ll have to upgrade and maybe find a better active cleaning element that’ll be truly multi-purpose.
Conclusion
Quartz countertops are notoriously maintenance-free. So water and soap can do the magic of restoring your countertops to a cleaner state.
The wipe is effective in removing surface dirt and grease from the countertop.
However, make sure to read the instructions carefully before using the wipe on your quartz countertop.
You may need to use a cloth or a scrub brush to remove tougher stains.
Be careful not to scratch the surface of your quartz countertop while cleaning it with Clorox wipes.
