To get rid of bacteria and keep your kitchen countertops looking spectacular, you have to clean them. Wondering how do you clean kitchen countertops? There is no one way to do it as different countertop materials have different cleaning methods. Some of the ways to clean these materials include:
Cleaning granite and marble countertops
Besides being one of the most popular countertop materials, they also share the same cleaning regimen. You need water, baking soda, tape, dish soap, hydrogen peroxide, and plastic wrap to clean the countertops.
You need to use warm water and mild dish soap, then follow up with a microfiber towel to shine the countertops. As a rule of thumb, avoid abrasive or acidic cleaners that will strip the sealer and etch the stone, exposing the countertop to stains.
Are there stains on the countertops? Use a baking soda and water paste to remove the oil-based stains. If the stains are water-based, remove them using hydrogen peroxide paste.
Apply the paste on the countertop, then cover it with plastic wrap. Tape down the edges, then let the paste sit on the stained area overnight.
The following morning, rinse off the paste. If the stain is still there, repeat the process until it goes away.
You should note that the paste can sometimes affect the color or the finish of the stone. To ensure this doesn’t happen to your countertops, spot test the paste before applying it to a large area.
To protect the countertops from stains, seal them regularly. As a bare minimum, seal them at least once every year.
How to clean wood countertops
To clean wood countertops, you need: distilled white vinegar, warm water, lemon, salt, spatula, nonabrasive cleaner, spatula, and microfiber cloths.
For spectacular-looking wooden countertops, clean them daily with a homemade mix of warm water with a splay of distilled white vinegar or a non-abrasive cleaner.
Before cleaning, always get rid of any food residues using a scraper or metal pastry. Once the countertops are clean, wipe them, so they are completely dry.
If there are any stains on the countertops, remove them using a lemon. Cut a lemon in half, then sprinkle salt directly on the stain. You should then use the lemon half to rub in the salt then once you are done, clean off the salt and lemon juice with water and vinegar.
While it might sound weird, you need to seal your solid wood countertops with food-grade oil or wax. This is to prevent the countertops from warping and cracking.
Cleaning laminate countertops
To effectively clean laminate countertops, you need: baking soda, water, mild household cleaner, and microfiber cloths. Cleaning the countertops is easy as all you need to do is clean the surfaces with a clean cotton cloth with water and a mild liquid detergent.
Are there stains on the countertops? Remove them using a paste of baking soda and water. Apply the paste to the stain, then let it sit for five minutes, after which you should rinse it off with a soft cloth.
You should note that baking soda is a mild abrasive, so don’t scrub it when cleaning. The stain should go away on the first try, but repeat the process if it doesn’t.
Unlike the other countertop materials, you don’t need to seal the countertops, but this doesn’t mean they are invisible. To protect your surfaces, use cutting boards and trivets to avoid burns and scratches.
Cleaning stainless steel countertops
These countertops are popular in commercial kitchens, but if you are one of the unique people that have them in your home, you still need to keep them in top shape.
Unlike granite kitchen countertops Raleigh, these countertops require the bare minimum to keep them spotless. All you need is to regularly wipe them down with soap and water.
To keep off scratches and eliminate smudges and streaks, use a microfiber towel, and cleaner especially made for stainless steel, to buff them out.
Although the countertops are tough, avoid using steel wool or abrasive scrubbing pads as they can scratch the surface.
You should note that with poor care, stainless steel can develop unsightly stains. To get rid of them, mix a paste of dish soap and baking soda. Use a soft cloth to rub in the direction of the grain.