We’ve All Been Cleaning Our Countertops the Wrong Way

On TikTok and Instagram Reels, I’m often served cleaning and home maintenance content. Most of the time, I watch a video and pick up a new tidying trick or bathroom-cleaning hack. But recently, one Reel in particular stopped me in my tracks—and had me wondering whether something I’ve always done was completely wrong.

The Reel in question? A post from @clarascanning, a canning company in New Mexico run by chef Ona Lee. On her account, Lee posts about homesteading resources, at-home canning tips, and other sustainability-focused topics. In a recent video, Lee asserts that products like Clorox and Lysol wipes aren’t rated to be used on food-contact surfaces. She points to a disclaimer on a container of wipes she’s holding, explaining, “It even says so on the bottle.”

Still, I’m not one to believe everything I see online. And it’s not like I’m chopping vegetables and mixing ingredients directly on my countertop. But this one nagged at me, so I decided to confer with an expert. I reached out to Melissa Vaccaro, senior food safety program specialist at the National Environmental Health Association, to set me straight.

What Experts Say About Wipes

“Many products from brands like Clorox are meant for disinfecting, which means they have a higher concentration of chlorine (or other chemicals) than what would be allowed on food contact surfaces,” Vaccaro told me. If wipes are used on a food contact surface, she says you should wipe down that surface with potable water afterward to remove the chemical residue. 

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

What we use to clean at home is markedly different from what is required by regulations for food service facilities like restaurants. So, Vaccaro recommends using products without fragrances and to always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use and mixing, as well as for any post-application rinse. (When I checked the bottle of wipes under my kitchen sink, the label did indeed specify “Rinse toys and food contact surfaces with potable water after use.”)

What to Use to Disinfect Countertops

In Lee’s video, she recommends disinfecting countertops with diluted 70% rubbing alcohol or 3% hydrogen peroxide instead of wipes. Yet Vaccaro highlights an important distinction: Regular household hydrogen peroxide or isopropyl alcohol may still contain additives that are not food-safe.

“While both isopropyl alcohol and hydrogen peroxide can be used on food contact surfaces in restaurants, it’s crucial to only use a food-grade version of each product—and to ensure they’re properly diluted and rinsed thoroughly before any food comes into contact with the surface,” she says. “Always consult local regulations and follow proper sanitation procedures.”

As for me, I’m not going to toss out my handy wipes. I will, however, start wiping my counters with water afterward to get rid of the chemicals left behind. Diluting some isopropyl alcohol in a spray bottle isn’t a bad idea, either, so I plan to keep one of those under my sink going forward.