We've All Been Cleaning Our Countertops Wrong - Here's What Experts Recommend

Key insights

• Some disinfectant wipes are not food safe and surfaces should be cleaned with water after use. To be safe, always read the instructions on the packaging.
• If you want to avoid wipes, you can use food-grade hydrogen peroxide or isopropyl alcohol.
• For daily cleaning, a simple mixture of water and dish soap should be sufficient.

On TikTok and Instagram Reels I am often offered content about cleaning and home maintenance. Most days I watch a video and discover a new tip for organizing or cleaning the bathroom . But recently, a reel in particular left me unnerved and making me wonder if something I've always done was completely wrong.

The role in question? An article from @clarascanning , a cannery in New Mexico run by Chef Ona Lee. On her account, Lee posts about agricultural resources, home canning tips, and other sustainability-focused topics. In a recent video , Lee says products like Clorox and Lysol wipes are not suitable for use on food contact surfaces. He shows a disclaimer on a container of wipes he's holding and explains, "It's even written on the bottle." »

However, I'm not the type of person to believe everything I see online. And it's not like I'm chopping vegetables and mixing ingredients right on my countertop. However, this bothered me and so I decided to consult an expert. I contacted Melissa Vaccaro, senior food safety program specialist at the National Environmental Health Association, to clarify the matter.

• Melissa Vaccaro , senior food safety program specialist at the National Environmental Health Association

What experts say about wipes

"Many products from brands like Clorox are intended for disinfection, meaning they contain a higher concentration of chlorine (or other chemicals) than would be acceptable on food-contact surfaces," Vaccaro told me. If wipes are used on a surface that comes into contact with food, the surface should then be cleaned with drinking water to remove any chemical residue.

Vaccaro also points out that companies like Clorox make bleach-free wipes that can be used on hard, nonporous surfaces that might come into contact with food. "I wish I could be more specific, but every type of wipe is unique," she admits. "Reading the label is really key."

What we use to clean at home is very different from the regulations that apply to food service establishments such as restaurants. Therefore, Vaccaro recommends using unscented products and always following the manufacturer's instructions for use and mixing, as well as rinsing after use. (When I checked the bottle of wipes under my kitchen sink, the label said, "Rinse toys and food contact surfaces with drinking water after use.")

When it comes to cleaning wipes, it's not just food safety that needs to be taken into account. Some contain ingredients that can also attack the sealants on some countertops. Use them when you really need to disinfect. For daily cleaning, a spray bottle with water and two or three small drops of dish soap should be sufficient.

What to Use to Disinfect Countertops

In Lee's video, she recommends disinfecting countertops with diluted 70% isopropyl alcohol or 3% hydrogen peroxide instead of wipes. Still, Vaccaro points out an important difference: Hydrogen peroxide or isopropyl alcohol, which are commonly consumed at home, may still contain additives that are not food-safe.

"While isopropyl alcohol and hydrogen peroxide can be used on food contact surfaces in restaurants, it is important to only use a food-safe version of each product and to ensure they are properly diluted and rinsed thoroughly before food comes into contact with the surface," he says. "Always check local regulations and follow appropriate health orders."

I for one will not throw away my practical cloths. However, I then start cleaning my countertops with water to remove any remaining chemicals. Diluting isopropyl alcohol in a spray bottle isn't a bad idea either, so I plan on keeping one under my sink in the future.

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