Granite cleaners

I've been using soap and water to clean my granite countertops, but noticed that Method has a granite cleaner.  I'm not good at interpreting the ingredients, can someone tell me if it is safe for my kids (especially if I'm preparing food directly on the counter)?

As a Method "Daily Granite" user myself, I'm glad you asked. Here's what I pulled up from Method's site:

"While alkyl polyglucoside may not have the prettiest name, it is a non-toxic, biodegradable and super effective cleaner made from corn and coconut oil. It’s what gives this product its granite-polishing magic while being safe for the people and the planet. Like the other home cleaning sprays, it has a 100% recycled plastic bottle and a DfE recognized formula.

corn and coconut derived and biodegradable surfactants

biodegradable solvent

fragrance oil blend

preservative (under 0.1%)

purified water"

In my relatively limited experience, that's all kosher - anyone have more detail to add?

Fragrance oils are usually synthetic so I would enquire more about that.  Otherwise I don't know much about Method products except that they usually do not score well in the green community with toxicity and irritant levels.  I generally consider them a "too good to be true" company.  I would stick to water, it's fool proof.

When it comes to cleaning mine, I use water w/ a drop of essential oils. Lav or Tea Tree do the trick for me.

Good point, I never thought of essential oils but they would for sure do the trick with water!

So, is there a difference b/w essenital oils that sound like a fragrance (i.e. lavender) and the fragrances that are added to substances that may disrupt hormone function?

Also, I know that certain essential oils are antibacterial... are lavender and tea tree oil?

Thanks!!

Essential oils are natural chemicals that are extracted from the leaves, flowers, stems, roots or bark of plants. They are the aromatic and volatile essences derived from botanicals.

Whereas, Fragrance oils (also called perfume oils) are usually synthetic; chemists analyze the plants’ components and reproduce their chemical compositions. Although essential oil blends (combinations of essential oils) are not synthetic, some suppliers call them fragrance or perfume oils.

Yes, both Lavender and Tea Tree essential oils have anti-fungal and antibacterial properties.  Just be careful cause I know tea tree is especially dangerous ingested or put into ears.  Make sure it is diluted properly, a good idea is to get a good book on Essential Oils.  My favorite is The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy found here: book

Cinnamon, clove and Rosemary essential oils also have antibacterial and antifungal properties.

Thanks  for the great info!