Why You Should Avoid Cleaning Quartz Countertops With Certain Clorox Wipes
If your home boasts Clorox wipes as a cleaning staple, you're likely in the majority since these are so easy to use on everyday messes and spills. While they are great for everywhere, from your bathroom to the kitchen, one surface doesn't benefit from the harsh ingredients found in these wipes: your quartz countertops. However, if you have been using them to clean your quartz countertops, one ingredient in these wipes could spell disaster for the composition of the rock: citric acid. This material is considered easy to care for compared to countertop materials that are harder to keep clean, like travertine or marble countertops. They require less maintenance than some materials thanks to their non-porous design, but that doesn't mean they are immune to harsh ingredients.
Introducing Clorox wipes that contain citric acid to your quartz countertops can compromise the entire surface and destroy the sealed layer that keeps it protected from the elements. While there are quartz-specific cleaners like Weiman's Quartz Countertop Cleaner Polish, you can also use dish soap or apply diluted rubbing alcohol to disinfect your quartz countertops.
Opt to clean quartz with mild soaps instead
Quartz countertops have a lot of pros: they are non-porous, making them naturally resistant to stains, and the quartz doesn't need to be sealed. They also don't create an easy surface for bacteria to collect on, so you shouldn't need harsh cleaners to remove messes and spills. Clorox wipes can alter the color of your quartz, and the intense citric acid will eat away at the stone, weakening it and compromising the rock's composition. Forgo chemicals and other Clorox products that contain bleach, too, and opt for gentle dish soap instead. Brands like Dawn's Dishwashing Soap ($4 at Walmart) are ideal for cleaning off your quartz countertops and are safer than bleach when it comes to human interaction, too.
If Clorox wipes note they are bleach-free, they still likely include citric acid pulled from plants and used as a tough cleaning agent that combats bacteria more naturally. While this is great for homes that prefer a more eco-friendly approach, this acid can alter the surface of your stone. Not only will it affect the color of your quartz and possibly ruin the sealant, but it could void your warranty, too, since it affects the material, rendering it less sturdy. Instead of Clorox wipes, use a clean microfiber cloth and mix some dish soap into warm water for an easy soak, or just add the detergent onto the cloth and run it under the tap. Wipe down surfaces and pat them dry.