Not Measuring Correctly When Cleaning With Pine
You may have heard the rule that you should add no more than 1 tablespoon of bleach to 1 gallon of water when diluting it for cleaning purposes. Pine-Sol works differently because you would need at least 1/4 of a cup of the solution to 1 gallon of water, as per Pine-Sol. You can then either pour it into a bucket or a spray bottle. Specifically, this measurement pertains to cleaning countertops, stovetops, laminate flooring, wood flooring, and sinks.
The ratio of Pine-Sol to water is important. When we often try to clean up quickly, we can get sloppy and add too much or too little cleaner to the water. This can easily happen if you’re pouring Pine-Sol straight from the bottle to the container of water. To avoid that, keep a measuring cup near the bottle that can measure up to 1/4 of the solution to maintain the mixture’s potency.
How To Disinfect Clothes With Bleach Alternatives
Bacteria thrive at temperatures of 40 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Thats the reason many of us are familiar with the dangers of not storing or cooking food at the correct temperatures. Thats also the reason regular machine washing doesnt sanitize clothesthe water just isnt hot enough to kill bacteria. But if you have a washer with a sanitizer cycle, youre in luck.
What Not To Use On Granite
To keep granite shiny, avoid harsh or acidic cleaning products that contain vinegar, citric acid, lemon juice, ammonia, bleach, or hydrogen peroxide. Avoid using products like Windex, Clorox Spray, Clorox Wipes, and Formula 409.Abrasive cleaning products will also damage your granites finish. Scrubbers like Magic Erasers, Scotch pads, and melamine sponges can all cause damage. So can scouring powders like Bar Keepers Friend or Ajax. Even if you havent seen damage yet, its only a matter of time before they erode the shiny finish on your granite.
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Everything You Need To Know About Cleaning Granite Countertops
Granite countertops make an impressive addition to any home and a healthy one too. Tests by the Institute for Occupational Safety and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show granite demonstrates excellent natural resistance to bacteria. These countertops come in a wide variety of colors and natural patterns to complement virtually any decor. With the right cleaning and care, you can keep yours looking brilliant for years to come.
Keeping countertops clean around the home has always been essential for promoting a healthy environment. With the onset of COVID-19, cleanliness takes on a whole new level of importance. Many household products claim to kill viruses and bacteria, but for many of them, the risk may outweigh the reward. Bleach, Lysol, vinegar and other popular cleaning solutions may be useful in sterilizing your surfaces, but the chemicals within them can cause lasting damage to natural stone surfaces.
Can You Use Pine
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Granite is one of the most durable natural stone countertops on the market. It is resistant to heat and scratches however, it is a porous stone that can absorb liquids if not properly sealed. Annual sealant application can ensure your granite remains beautiful for many years to come. Cleaning your countertops is just as important as sealing your countertops.
Many people ask if you can use Pine-Sol on granite countertops. The answer is in the next paragraph.
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Cleaning Granite Countertops And Floors
Best Alternative To Pine
At this point of this article, I know you might be asking yourself so what then do you use? Well sit back and relax as I walk you through some of the things you can use instead of the pine-sol.
Chances are you were considering using pine-sol because it is an effective cleaner and deodorizer for many other surfaces. So that is exactly what Im going to recommend to you.
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Can You Use Pine Sol On Granite Countertops
Pine-Sol should not be used on granite countertops. Pine-Sol has a pH rating of 4, which means Pine-Sol is acidic.
Pine-Sol is a disinfectant that can be used throughout the house to clean and disinfect surfaces not your countertops.
Acid will damage the surface of your granite countertops therefore, it should not be used to clean or disinfect your countertops. Instead, use the following cleaning methods to keep your countertops looking beautiful.
Below is an outline on cleaning granite countertops but you can find our detailed instructions here.
How To Deep Clean Granite Countertops
The cleaner you’ve been using on your granite countertop may be harming it. Learn an easier and better way to deep clean your granite.
Taylor Martin
CNET Contributor
Taylor Martin has covered technology online for over six years. He has reviewed smartphones for Pocketnow and Android Authority and loves building stuff on his YouTube channel, MOD. He has a dangerous obsession with coffee and is afraid of free time.
Granite counters look fantastic, are rather resilient when it comes to wear and tear or heat and, when properly sealed, easy to clean.
But perhaps a stray coffee cup may have left a light brown ring on your precious granite, or you have an oil stain just won’t come out.
Once you know how to care for granite and some no-nos to avoid, cleaning is simple. Learn the dos and don’ts of cleaning granite.
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Cleaning The Wrong Surfaces With Pine
Another mistake you might make when cleaning with Pine-Sol is using it on the wrong surfaces. According to Pine-Sol, you should refrain from using undiluted Pine-Sol on metal surfaces, such as copper or aluminum. However, it does not harm stainless steel. Instead, you can try using Pine-Sol diluted in water on a small spot that’s not visible to test how it reacts with the metal. But your safest option is to use a different cleaner.
Additionally, you should avoid cleaning marble tile or countertops with the solution, as well as surfaces that are covered with acrylic, enamel, or oil paint. They will be stripped of their coating if you wipe them down with Pine-Sol . One other mistake people make when cleaning with Pine-Sol is applying it to cars or dishes. Pine-Sol contains sodium secondary alkyl sulfate, propylene glycol, and benzoic acid, which has a corrosive effect on these materials .
How To Make Vinyl Floors Shiny
Vinyl flooring is an excellent option for any homeowner looking to update their current flooring, but it does come with its share of maintenance. One major concern that most homeowners have is how to make vinyl floors shiny. There are many methods for making your vinyl floor shine, but the most effective method is to use a suitable cleaner that can be found at any hardware store or grocery store.
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How To Care For Your Granite
So, if you cant use many traditional cleaning products on your granite, what can you use? Water and a microfiber towel will clean about 90% of the dirt and surface debris from your granite. Use water and a microfiber towel for most of your day-to-day cleansing needs or when you just need to wipe it down.
Cleaning with the right products is a great first step to keeping your countertops in pristine condition. There are a couple more simple steps you should be taking, however.
The first is to always clean spills up quickly. If you spill tomato sauce on granite its not going to damage it right away. Unless something incredibly caustic like battery acid comes in contact with your stone the damage will happen slowly.
As youre cooking keep a damp sponge or cloth nearby and wipe up spills as they happen.
The next step is to seal your granite. Granite sealer protects your stone in the same way that wax protects the finish on your car. It creates a thin invisible barrier on the surface of your countertop which keeps moisture and stains from penetrating.
This is an important step that a lot of people skip. But in most cases when people end up with a stain they werent properly sealing the surface and they let the spill sit on the counter overnight.
How To Deep Clean Granite
Daily cleaning of granite is actually quite simple. All you need is a wash cloth, warm water, a small amount of dish soap and a hand towel for drying.
Use the warm, soapy dish cloth to wipe up spills or other grime immediately. Follow up with a quick towel dry to get rid of excess water and avoid streaks.
It’s also good practice to do this any time your cook in your kitchen, if not daily.
If you want to disinfect your granite, simply mix equal parts isopropyl alcohol and distilled water in a spray bottle. Thoroughly spray the countertop and allow the solution to sit for 2 to 3 minutes. Wipe down with a wash cloth. This should also restore your granite’s brilliant shine.
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Why Avoid These Products
If you already have these cleansers in your home, you may be tempted to use them once in a while, particularly since you dont always notice the damage that you are doing to your stone right away. Unfortunately, even a single application of any alkaline or acidic substance to your granite will do irreparable harm to the surface.
This is because both acids and alkalines remove the weaker particles of the stone up at the surface. This is called etching, and when the weaker particles of the stone are removed, you get a dull spot where they once were. This can happen even on honed stone surfaces, but is most apparent on a polished or glossy finish.
The only way to fix an etched countertop is to have it ground down and refinished an expensive and inconvenient process. Etching is very avoidable, however, particularly if keep your stone sealed and use only PH neutral cleansers each and every time.
Pine Sol Kills Mold And Mildew
Pine Sol is also effective at killing mold and mildew. Laminate countertops are often prone to mold and mildew growth because they are often located in humid areas, such as kitchens and bathrooms.
Mold and mildew can cause staining and discoloration on laminate surfaces. Using Pine Sol to clean these surfaces can help prevent this from happening.
Pine Sol is also effective at removing mold and mildew stains that have already formed.
So if youre looking for a cleaner that can kill mold and mildew, as well as disinfect your laminate surfaces, Pine Sol is a great option.
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Daily Cleaning: How To Clean Your Granite Countertops
You should wipe your granite countertops down daily. All that is needed for daily cleaning is some distilled water and a clean sponge. A damp sponge will wipe up any crumbs and debris from your countertops. If there are any sticky spills, the damp sponge may remove them however, you may need a stronger cleaner.
Can You Use Baking Soda To Clean Granite Counter Tops
Try making a baking soda solution to remove stubborn stains from granite counter tops. If the stain is water based, use a mixture of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. If the stain is oil-based, use a mixture of baking soda and water to form a paste. Spread the dough on the stained area and let it rest for several hours.
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Homemade Granite Cleaner Spray
Combine 1 cup water with 1 cup rubbing alcohol . Add 1/4 teaspoon of liquid dish soap and 5 drops of your favorite essential oil. Swirl to combine. Spray granite surfaces until damp, then wipe with a clean microfiber cloth. To disinfect, respray the surface and wait 5 minutes, then wipe with a fresh cloth.Store any unused mix away from kids, pets, and flames. Shake well before each use.
Why Use Distilled Water On Granite Countertops
Tap water, spring water, and well water may contain limestone, calcium, rust, and other minerals which can build up on the granite countertop. Additionally, the chlorine and other chemicals used in tap water can eat away at your granite sealer.
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How Do You Clean Your Granite
OK, while I’m on the topic of trying to figure out how to clean all of these new items in my new kitchen , how in the heck am I supposed to clean this granite on a regular basis?! I am not a big chemical girl. Previously, on formica, I used vinegar in a spray bottle as my primary cleaner/antibacterial. But now vinegar is a no-no for the sealer on the granite.
So I got the Stonetech Revitalizer that the stone guy recommended as the “Cadillac” of cleaners and I got the Method that lots of GWers seem to like . The Stonetech seemed kind of waxy and a little stinky but did a decent job. The Method was really smelly/flowery but did a decent job .
However, neither one of these says anything about being antibacterial.
So, I wipe down the counters with a wet sponge after cooking. But what about when I’m cooking raw meat/chicken/etc. and I want to make sure the counters aren’t icky still? What should I use then that’s safe for the sealer, easy to apply and not killer to the humans in the house?
Seems like maybe the Stonetech or Method are more of a sometimes thing? Like every few days for sparkling up, but not the I-just-cooked-dinner and the kitchen’s a mess kind of stuff, right?
Oh, and I should mention that I have Brushed Cambrian Black so it’s a semi-matte type of finish.
I miss my vinegar .
Help!
The Biggest Mistakes You’re Making When Cleaning With Pine
Since it first came on the market, Pine-Sol has become a practical go-to for deodorizing and disinfecting. Whether you’re washing walls, wiping down counters, or mopping, Pine-Sol proves to be a multi-purpose cleaner, as per Simple at Home. You can use it to disinfect surfaces, especially when spraying it onto a tabletop or an appliance. The product eliminates almost 99.9% of germs plus, it’s safe to use on stainless steel. Another idea is to spray Pine-Sol onto carpet or furniture to keep a cat away, though you’ll need to test a small area first to make sure it doesn’t stain.
However, like with any other cleaner, you might make a mistake when cleaning with Pine-Sol. While you can safely apply it to many types of surfaces, there are a few that you’ll need to avoid. Pine-Sol is also unsafe for certain types of flooring since there’s a risk of rubbing off the floor’s finish. Here’s what to avoid when cleaning with Pine-Sol, so you don’t make cleaning mistakes that cause more mess than order.
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Disinfecting Granite Countertops For Covid
Cleaning and disinfecting granite countertops is easy and something you can do every day to keep your stone surfaces healthy and looking great. To ensure you fully disinfect your countertops, focus on areas no larger than a few square feet at a time. To get a complete clean for your granite countertops:
- Prepare your counters: Remove any appliances, home decor and other items for access, and wipe any crumbs into your sink or dustpan to prevent scratching.
- Spray your counters: Use your solution to spray your countertops. Allow the spray to sit for at least one minute so the alcohol can achieve its full potential.
- Clean your counters: Scrub your countertops using a clean, soft cloth, preferably microfiber. Repeat the process as needed until your countertops shine.
- Dry your counters: When you are finished scrubbing, rinse your rag and remove any excess soap. Using a dry towel, dab the remaining water off the counter.
How To Use Pine
It is very normal for people to choose different types of flooring solutions to enhance the beauty of their homes and increase their value. People tend to choose wood, hard and nonporous ceramic tiles, and even sealed granite for the floor.
It is very important to maintain the floor by cleaning it frequently so that it can look like new for a long time and extend its life span. That is why you can try using Pine Sol on tile floors.
Pine Sol is considered a multi-purpose floor cleaning solution that goes with almost any type of flooring. It is highly suitable for ceramic tiles.
You can try using pine Sol to clean the ceramic tile floors. It will provide you with a fresh smell throughout the house and help to maintain hygiene.
In addition to that, Pine-Sol is a disinfectant, so it will provide you with antibacterial cleaning by eliminating all germs. You can simply follow the steps to use pine Sol to clean the tiled floors:
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