HOW TO KILL COVID-19 ON GRANITE, MARBLE, AND TRAVERTINE  COUNTERTOP   

We have become inside creatures and the more truer in the COVID-19 era. The floors, showers and countertops are seeing an uptick in usages. The more we use our home's amenities, the more the inside home environment demands our attention, How? 

• We shower more! 
• Cook more! 
• Walk on floors more!
• The more soil is transported into the home
• The more germs, bacteria and organisms flourish 
• The more cleaning is done inside the home

Here is the criteria used by Stone Care of Arizona to receive a PASS or FAIL mark:

1. If the disinfectant is not safe around children, animals and our technicians it failed as our disinfectant of choice.   
2. If the disinfectant requires your family to wear masks, it failed as our disinfectant of choice.  
3. If the disinfectant is not approved where you cook and serve food, it failed. Download PDF guide to educate yourself.  
4. If the disinfectant causes cancer, it failed as the Stone Care of Arizona's disinfectant choice. 
5. If the disinfectant causes irreversible eye damage, it failed as a Stone Care of Arizona's disinfectant choice.
6. If the disinfectant is co-registered as a pesticide, it failed the Stone Care of Arizona disinfectant choice.
7. If the disinfectant can absorbs into the bodies blood stream, it failed the Stone Care of Arizona's disinfectant choice.
8. If the disinfectant use Quaternary Ammonium or quats, be sure to read the SDS and make your choice wisely. 
9. If the disinfectant can absorb into the bloodstream, it failed the Stone Care of Arizona's disinfectant choice.
10. If the disinfectant cause cell damage, mucous membrane and nerve damage it failed as a Stone Care of Arizona's choice.  

• Benzalkonium chloride
• Benzethonium chloride
• Alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chlorides (C12-16)
• Alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride (C14 60%, C16 30%, C12 5%, C18 5%)
• Alkyl dimethyl ethylbenzyl ammonium chloride (C12-14)
• Alkyl dimethyl ethylbenzyl ammonium chlorides (C12-18)
• Didecyldimethylammonium chloride
• Dioctyldimethylammonium chloride

Here is our strongest recommendation for safe disinfection that receive a Stone Care of Arizona our highest PASS: 

Sadly, there were no consumer products we researched that passed our stringent testing protocol. This includes some very popular consumer based disinfectants many homeowners use unaware of their toxicity to humanity and animal life. Since, many posted recommendations online are very subjected, Stone Care of Arizona will share only a few safe disinfection products. It does not matter the name brand you choose as long as it is naturally reactive disinfection based on acqueious water transformation. 

ELECTROLYZED OXIDATIVE WATER   

Electrolyzed oxidative water has been around for over 45 years. The technology of electrolysis of sodium chloride was introduced to safely disinfect vegetables, shell fish, meat and surfaces where microbial growth was an issue. The EPA registered electrolyzed oxidative water for several manufactures for disinfecting produce as a safe and chemical free disinfection alternative. Today, there is a proliferation of electrolyzed water options drinking and used in cosmetics and such. Electrolyzed oxidative water is still unknown to the rank and file consumer who are seek green alternatives. 

• Electrolyzed Oxidative water is the best of the best for safe disinfecting of surfaces. 
  
• For a comprehensive information about energized water, click here: What is electrolyzed water? 
• Why is electrolyzed oxidative water the best of the best? Electrolyzed oxidative water or electrolyzed water is made from simple tap water through the process of electrolysis. 

• Home Disinfecting Electrolyzed 
• Force of Nature 
• Disinfecting Water
• EO Water Creator 
• ECOLOX TECH

Electrolyzed oxidative water made with tap water that passes through a dedicated water softener with the settings set on a higher concentration of sodium. The sodium latent water is then separated into chambers with electrical rods. (see diagram below) The salty water is then introduced to a powerful unidirectional flow of an electric charge. The act of shocking salty water shifts the water molecules causing an echo or scrambling of the water molecule to an ionic state. The displaced and energized water in one chamber takes on a chemical free alkaline (Sodium hydroxide (NaOH), and the other separated chamber becomes a disinfect water agent (hypochlorous acid (HOCl). Electrolyzed water is the ultimate disinfection medium made from simple tap water. 

PLEASE NOTE: If you are planning to purchase electrolyzed oxidative water equipment, please consider the following: 

1. Make sure the machine makes alkaline and disinfectant water. 
2. The best chemical free disinfection is made when the equipment is properly maintained 
3. Be sure any electrolyzed water used in kept in an airtight container. 
   
4. Electrolyzed water will lose its artificial pH the longer it sets exposed to air. 
5. Try to get freshly made electrolyzed water, it will work at peak disinfecting effectiveness when freshly made. 
6. If you prefer purchasing bottled electrolyzed oxidative water, make sure to purchase what you need. 
7. Never over purchase electrolyzed oxidative water in bulk, if you have a local source. 
8. If the water has become weak, be sure to return and get a refund. 

In the image below, Stone Care of Arizona, Arizona stone care expert uses high-flow extraction that flushes unwanted off soil, germs, bacteria, organisms and COVID-19 on any countertop. If you desire professional countertop cleaning and sealing, give us a call at 480-625-0557. 

The basic fundamentals of cleaning any countertop such as Granite, Marble, Travertine, and Tile & Grout is based on choosing the correct countertop cleaner. Stone Care of Arizona, Arizona stone care expert uses only the best alkaline countertop cleaner, The countertop cleaner is great at dissolving, absorbing and emulsifying unwanted soil. The act of cleaning with an alkaline cleaner will liquefy the countertop soil. In the process of emulsification & suspense some active germs, bacteria, viruses and can loosened up in an aqueous medium. Additionally, vigorous agitation can break open coronavirus’s protective envelope. During the cleaning process Stone Care of Arizona uses the countertop tool (seen above). Stone Care of Arizona's extraction process deploys heated aqueous solutions that power-rinse the countertop  breaking up the Microbial mat. One of the reasons, countertop stays soiled after a homeowner's cleaning their countertop is connected to the microbial mat. The microbial mat is a multi-layered coating that resist water penetration or hand cleaning by homeowners. 

If you made it that far in reading this, we hope you are better informed, we respectfully ask that you please continue to read. 

There are two concerned clients who land on our page:

1. Clients who want to better educate themselves with our consumer friendly content.

2. Clients who damaged their countertops and are seeking help.

Stone Care of Arizona, the natural stone care expert would like to share our  proven way to clean and safely disinfect your countertops, showers and floors. Most of the calls we receive are connected to a concerned homeowner using anecdotal tips based on using household bleach. Stone Care of Arizona, the natural stone expert would like to share 3 countertop tips on cleaning, sealing and disinfecting any surface

To clean countertops you will need a fool proof cleaning method that works every-time.  

Let’s begin by sharing that you will need to clean your countertops:

1. Alkaline cleaner, this is used as the back-bone to breakdown oily substances on the countertop. Alkaline countertop cleaners pH needs to be used to prevent residue build-up. Download the Safety Data Sheet

2. Neutral cleaner, is used to lower the pH after using a alkaline cleaner on a countertop. The application a neutral cleaner will stop alkali reactions.  Download the Safety Data Sheet

3. Purchase a stiff Nylon brush, you need a brush for agitation of the countertop. 

PLEASE NOTE: Never purchase cleaning products from natural stone care companies, when you can purchase them cheaper at Home Depot, Loews and your local Ace Hardware. 

4. You will need a stiff Nylon brush to agitate the counter top surface

The image below is how Stone Care of Arizona, the natural stone care expert uses their stone specific stone prespray and dedicated agitation steps to assist in breaking down a persistent oily chemical bond and microbial organism bond. Give Stone Care of Arizona a call at 480-625-0557, when you need Granite cleaning an sealing, Marble cleaning & sealing, Onyx cleaning and sealing, Limestone and Travertine countertop cleaning and sealing services. 

a) Be sure to place on your gloves 

b) Be sure to mix the three dedicates and labeled trigger sprays. 

c) Bottle for alkaline, bottle for neutral cleaner, and trigger sprayer for disinfectant. 

b) Take the brush and agitate the chosen area and wait 45 seconds don’t allow to dry

c) Take squeegee and move slurry into the sink or into a puddle. 

g) If you don’t have a sink, take terry cloth towel and absorb slurry into the terry cloth towel. 

h. Rinse the towel out in the sink until slurry is rinsed out. 

h) Take microfiber towel (polyester oil-loving fiber) and buff dry. 

i) The nature of the microfiber towel will grab microorganism by adsorption. 

j) Rinse the microfiber towels out and set in a dedicate plastic bag. Do this to all of the used microfiber towels. Once rinsed out do not use again until they are washed. 

k) Apply neutral cleaner and allow it to dwell 15 seconds. Dwell allows the neutral cleaner to stop alkali reactions and to lower to 7 pH.  

l) Use the terry cloth towel to buff off the neutral cleaner off the countertop.  

The right cleaning and disinfecting process will always result in the perfect cleaning and disinfecting outcome. Stone Care of Arizona, the natural stone care will now share with you the proper execution of cleaning and proper way of disinfecting your countertops.  

Let’s begin by sharing how to properly disinfect your countertops:

We suggest that you purchase only green disinfectant formulations. Stone Care of Arizona uses botanical Benefect Decon 19 or any botanical plant based disinfect. The great news is botanical product that we use and recommend will eviscerate all germs, bacteria, viruses and COVID-19. Once Benefect or its equivalent is applied, please allow the disinfectant to dwell 45 seconds. Those critical second will SAFETY kill any active organism that is present after cleaning. 

PLEASE NOTE: It does not matter the type of botanical disinfectant as long as the choice kills over 99.99% of bacteria,germs and viruses and COVID-19. Also, it is very important to allow the product to stay wet without drying. 

Here is the Safety Date Sheet: Here Green Disinfectant 

1. Professional Squeegee, we recommend that you purchase a high quality squeegee.14-16 inch is best depending on the size of the countertop in your home.  
2. Dedicate trigger sprayer for Alkaline and the other neutral cleaner. Fill both up with water I inch from the top. Add at least a tb spoon of cleaner. 
3. Dedicated terry cloth towels. 
4. Dedicated microfiber towels. Use a microfiber made of polyester. The microfiber towels are for the finishing steps prior to the application of disinfectant.  
5. 1 box of Disposable gloves. Use best practice when using gloves. Never touch your face with the gloves. Always dispose of the gloves after use. 

1. Stone Care of Arizona's technicians are required to wear N95 or K95 masks on estimates and while inside homes and businesses 
2. Stone Care of Arizona's technicians are required to wear protective show wear while providing estimates. 
3. Stone Care of Arizona's technicians are required to clean and disinfect their equipment and tools after every job 
4. Stone Care of Arizona's technicians are carry disinfectant at all times on their vans
5. Stone Care of Arizona's technicians are carry full compliments of PPE that is not limited, gloves, Tyvek coveralls, protective eye-wear at all times on their vans. 
6. PLEASE NOTE: If you had a family member recently, please let us know, we have a complete compliment of disinfection options.

COUNTERTOP CLEANING TIP #4: THE DISINFECTING STEPS

b) Take deodorizer and apply a generous application on the countertop in sections

c) Allow disinfectant an opportunity to soak on the surface 45 seconds. 

PLEASE NOTE: Allowing the deodorizer to soak on the countertop will provide adequate time to kill germs, bacteria, viruses. 

d) The last step is to buff out the countertop with a microfiber cloth. 

e) Change towel on each section to ensure removal of any wetness and streaking

Stone Care of Arizona hopes that you found the article helpful. If you need help with countertop cleaning, disinfecting and sealing, please give us a call at 480-625-0557