For your kitchen countertops to look good and sanitary, you need to keep them clean. To help you out, here is a guide on how to clean the various countertops in your home:
Quartz countertops
Due to their durability, quartz kitchen countertops are one of the most common countertop materials.
While true, it doesn’t mean it’s invincible to stains. You should immediately wipe up spills and use cutting boards to protect the quartz surface. If you still have a mess, avoid abrasive and acidic cleansers, bleach, and vinegar. For the best outcome, use a quartz-specific cleaner.
Use Goo Gone or any other similar product for the more difficult-to-remove stains. First, to ensure that the product won’t damage your surfaces, use it on a small, inconspicuous area.
You should then dab a small amount on the stain, wait a few minutes, and gently clean it away with a microfiber cloth. Rinse and dry the affected area with a clean microfiber cloth.
To keep your countertops in pristine condition, make it a habit to clean spills as soon as they happen. This is especially vital if they contain acidic or staining substances such as wine, coffee, fruit juices, or oils.
Use a soft cloth or sponge and mild dish soap to clean the area thoroughly. When you act fast, you prevent the liquid from penetrating the porous quartz surface.
Despite the fact that quartz is quite resistant, it is still best to avoid cutting or chopping directly on the surface. This is because sharp blades and other metal items may scratch or chip the quartz. Use cutting boards or protective mats at all times.
Granite countertops
Avoid using bleach, vinegar, or strong chemicals with granite surfaces, just as you would with quartz. Try a granite cleaner if you need something more powerful than dish soap and water. To remove a stain, make a 50/50 mixture of isopropyl alcohol and water and apply it to the stain with a microfiber cloth.
A thick paste of baking soda and water (the consistency of toothpaste) is another alternative for stain removal. Begin with a heaping tablespoon of baking soda, followed by a teaspoon of water, or just enough to make the mixture stick to the surface.
Spread the paste over the stain and wrap it in plastic for at least 24 hours. Use a microfiber towel, water, and mild dish soap to remove the paste. You should note that you may have to repeat the method several times. Thankfully, it is safe and mild and will not damage the granite.
Marble countertops
Because of its porous nature, marble is always the most finicky of all the countertops. Use a specialized marble or pH-neutral stone cleaner if soap and water are ineffective.
A non-natural stone cleaning product may not have a neutral pH, which may dull the marble surface or produce uneven spots. Cleaning product manufacturers are not obligated to list the pH level on their labels, but you can measure the pH yourself using a pH test strip.
Some brands’ websites link to the safety data sheets of certain cleaning solutions, which may include pH levels, so also check here.
Even if you merely clean your marble with soap and water, dry it off because water can permanently stain it quickly. Some watermarks will fade as the stone dries, which may take weeks.
Use a marble-specific cleaner to remove surface-level stains, particularly those created by evaporated water.
Alternatively, use the same method described above for granite: Cover the stain with a thick mixture of baking soda and water, wrap it in plastic wrap, and leave it for at least 24 hours. Clean it with a microfiber cloth, water, and mild dish soap, and repeat if necessary.
Marble is porous and can absorb liquids, causing stains. To prevent the stains from coming about, blot any spills immediately with a soft, absorbent cloth or paper towel. Wiping the spill can spread it and make the stain worse.
After cleaning, carefully rinse the marble with clean water. This is because if cleansers or detergent residue is left behind, it can reduce the luster of the marble.
Laminate countertops
Because laminate is man-made and less expensive than natural stone, some homeowners believe they don’t need to be as cautious with it. However, aggressive cleaners, such as vinegar, lemon juice, bleach, and ammonia, can wear down the surface.
Try baking soda paste if you have a stain that won’t come out with soap and water. The best way to go about it is to add a heaping spoonful of baking soda with a teaspoon of water or just enough to make a thick paste that adheres to the top. Mix it into the dye or dab it on with your fingers.
After 24 hours, wipe it away with a microfiber towel.
If you have stains that aren’t coming out, use a magic eraser to remove a stain. While this is a great move, proceed cautiously because these can create microabrasions.
Stainless steel
Even if your complete countertop isn’t stainless steel, it’s common to locate it as a stove component connected to the rest of your counters.
Because stainless steel is easily damaged, I don’t think you can clean it with the same product you use to clean the rest of the countertop. Use a specialist product or a stainless steel cleaner for deep cleaning. A wipe-down with mild soap and warm water will suffice for routine cleaning.
Use a microfiber cloth to apply whatever cleaning product you’re using. Once you scratch stainless steel, it’s difficult to remove the scratch.
If you’ve already scratched it, you can try buffing it out with a pad, but doing so without inflicting further damage requires precision. Hiring an expert may be a better option.
Parting shot
These are some of the ways you can clean your various kitchen countertops Raleigh. As you can see, it’s easy to do the cleaning even without involving a professional. To easily clean the countertops, take good of your surfaces.