You have to take good care of your countertops to last for a long time. Since different countertops have different features, you take care of them differently. How do you take care of your countertops? There are plenty of ways to go about it. Here is how to do it:
Quartz countertops
Quartz countertops are loved by many for their heat, stain, and scratch-resistant nature. The countertops are also non-porous, so you don’t need to seal them.
To maintain their elegant look, prevent the stains from coming about as much as possible. One of the ways to go about this is to never place hot pans on them. You should note that while the countertops are heat resistant, they aren’t heatproof. This means that when you place hot items on them, they will get damaged.
To protect the units, always have hot pads or trivets on them.
If stains develop on the countertops, apply a paste of hydrogen peroxide and flour on them. A good rule of thumb is to apply the paste on the surfaces and then let it sit for up to 24 hours.
In most cases, the paste will lift the spot right out within this time.
Wooden countertops
To keep your butcher block wooden countertops in top shape, apply mineral oil to them at least once a month. If your countertops aren’t butcher block, apply marine oil that will prevent the countertops from fading.
You should prevent burns and other marks from your countertops as much as possible, but if they come about, sand them out. For the stains, remove them using hydrogen peroxide or lemon juice.
Soapstone
Since it’s naturally non-porous, soapstone doesn’t require any sealing. Unfortunately, it’s soft and prone to nicks and scratches. Due to this, you should be ultra-cautious when preparing your meals or working around surfaces.
The countertops are also prone to discoloration, but luckily, you can easily get rid of them when you catch them early on. To remove slight discoloration, rub it out using mineral oil.
Marble countertops
Marble countertops usually require high maintenance than other countertop materials. Since they are naturally porous, they require regular sealing to prevent stains.
The porous nature of the countertops also makes them susceptible to etching, so you should be ultra-cautious when interacting with them.
Chemical corrosion is common with these countertops, but you can buff it with marble polish. For the oil stains, remove them using hydrogen peroxide, ammonia, or mineral spirits.
In the event food stains develop, lift them with water-based paste or dish soap and baking soda.
Laminate countertops
The most common problem with laminate countertops are stains. Luckily, you can get rid of the stains using a paste of baking soda and water. Leaving the paste on the countertops for 3-5 minutes will remove most surface stains.
If you have hard-to-remove stains, remove them using household bleach. For the best outcome, rub the bleach gently on the surfaces with a cotton ball.
Stainless steel countertops
The major issue with stainless steel countertops is the never-ending scratches on the surface that give the surfaces an ugly look.
Luckily, you can buff the scratches out with an abrasive pad.
Stainless is also prone to rust, but you can prevent it by avoiding the surfaces from coming into contact with a cast iron pan.
If the surfaces develop rust stains, remove them using baking soda and lemon juice paste.
Solid surface countertops
If there are fine scratches or stains on the surfaces, buff them out using a mild abrasive. Even with the best care, it’s common for countertops to develop a plastic-like patina. When this develops, move with haste and have it removed by an experienced professional.
Granite countertops
Like marble countertops, granite countertops Durham are porous, so you have to seal them regularly to prevent stains from developing. To tell whether your surfaces are ripe for sealing, you should splash water on them and seal them.
If the water gets absorbed, it’s time to seal them.
Besides sealing the surfaces, also take care of the items you place on the surfaces, as you don’t want to ruin them.