Cleaning up dirty walls can help you make your home look neater. There are many ways to clean dirty walls – using quality wall cleaner is one of them. However, many wonder, “can you use Clorox wipes on walls?” The answer is nuanced.
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Can You Use Clorox Wipes on Walls?
You can use Clorox wipes on walls as long as the paint on them is considered “washable” and the paint’s finish is non-porous. It’s best to check whether your wall can handle cleaning with Clorox wipes by using it on a small, hidden area of the wall. If the paint starts to fade or get damaged, don’t use the wipes on the wall.
It’s important to note that the company recommends using enough Clorox wipes on a surface to keep it visibly damp for at least four minutes. Clorox wipes aren’t designed to kill off all germs instantly. For the wipes to disinfect a surface effectively, the solution needs to be on the surface for four minutes.
What Surfaces Should You Never Use Clorox Wipes On?
While you can use Clorox wipes on most walls, some of the surfaces you should not use these wipes on include:
Eyeglasses
The chemicals in Clorox wipes can damage the delicate coatings that modern lenses’ come with. It’s much safer to clean a pair of glasses with a drop of dish soap and warm water.
Granite
Countertops made from granite are sensitive to breaking down with the use of acidic wipes. Exposure to acidic substances also leaves granite vulnerable to long-term damage.
Upholstery and Leather Purses
Disinfecting wipes such as Clorox wipes may seem like an excellent way to quickly clean upholstery or leather purses, but the alcohol in these wipes can dry out the material and damage the finish.
Toilet and Plumbing
Cleaning the seat and exterior of a toilet using Clorox wipes is completely fine and has no ill effects. However, flushing the wipes down the toilet is not right since these wipes do not dissolve and clog up your pipes. This can lead to you getting a big plumbing bill in the long run.
Unfinished Wood
Whether you have unfinished wood furniture or floors, using Clorox wipes on it is a bad idea since wood is absorbent. If the wood absorbs too much of the solution, it will warp over time.
Carpets
Carpets and certain upholstery fabrics lose color when they come in contact with certain cleaners. It’s best to check the labels to understand whether you can clean the surface using disinfectant wipes. But it’s worth noting that disinfecting wipes don’t clean soft and porous surfaces satisfactorily.
Conclusion
Similar to using Lysol as a cleaning agent, using Clorox wipes on walls may be a good idea, depending on the paint finish. If the paint is washable and non-porous, the wipes should do a good job cleaning the walls from dirt and residues from wall tapes. However, it’s best to test out the effects of the disinfectant wipe on a small, hidden spot on the wall before deciding to clean the entire wall with it. If you are still unsure about using Clorox, you can always use your trusty mop to clean your walls.
