Most kitchen countertops don’t come cheap, so the last thing you want is to have to replace the countertops after a few weeks or months of installation. To ensure that this doesn’t happen, you need to take good care of your countertops. How do you do it? Here is how:
Caring for granite countertops
Granite counters are among the most popular countertop materials in the market. To keep them in top shape, you need to ensure that they are adequately sealed. This calls for you to seal them at least once every year.
To tell that your counters are ripe for sealing, you should undertake a water test where you splash some water on the surface. If the countertops don’t absorb the water after 10-15 minutes, they don’t need any sealing, but if they absorb it, it’s time to get in touch with a professional and apply a new sealer.
Caring for quartz countertops
Quartz countertops are heat, stain, and scratch-resistant. They are also nonporous and don’t need sealing. Unfortunately, they tend to stain when you don’t take good care of them. When stains develop, get rid of them using hydrogen peroxide and flour.
Apply the mixture on the countertops, sit for 24 hours, and then clean it off. If the stain doesn’t come out on the first try, reapply the mixture.
Caring for marble countertops
Due to their porous nature, marble countertops require more care than other countertops in the market.
Since they are porous, they are prone to etching and stains.
When your countertops develop oil stains, remove them using ammonia, hydrogen peroxide, or mineral spirits.
Are there any food stains on the countertops? Try getting rid of them using a water-based paste of baking soda and dish soap.
Marble countertops have also been found to be highly prone to chemical corrosion. Thankfully, you can buff out the corrosion using marble polish.
Caring for butcher block countertops
To keep your butcher block countertops in top shape, you should invest in walnut oil, mineral oil, or beeswax that you will use to treat and seal the surfaces. Just because the countertops are made from blocks doesn’t mean you should cut directly on them. The countertops are prone to damage and scarring so, you should never cut directly on them.
Even when properly oiled and treated, butcher block countertops are still prone to staining, so always move with haste and get rid of any spills as soon as they happen.
In the event, the countertops develop marks and burns, sand the wood out and remove the stains using hydrogen peroxide or lemon juice.
Caring for soapstone countertops
Naturallynonporouss, soapstone countertops don’t require any sealing. The downside is that they are soft, so they are prone to nicks and scratches. They also tend to lose their natural color from repeated use.
It’s recommended you avoid installing soapstone countertops in your kitchen, bathroom, or any of the most active rooms in the house as the countertops are soft, but if you love them and don’t have kids, go ahead and install them.
When preparing your meals, be ultra-cautious, so you don’t dent the countertops. In the event of discoloration from oil contact, rub it out using mineral oil.
Caring for laminate countertops
Laminate countertops are one of the cheapest countertops you can install in your home. Due to this, many homeowners don’t give them the attention they deserve, which puts them at the risk of suffering from permanent damage from water and spills.
To prevent the stains, regularly wipe your laminate countertops with household cleaners. Also, periodically inspect the caulking and seals on your countertops.
Like marble, butcher block, and granite countertops NC, avoid letting the water stand on the countertops for too long as it’s bound to cause stains. Water standing on the countertops also puts the composite board substrate at the risk of swelling and getting damaged, which can’t be fixed.
Never use your countertops as a chopping board as you will dent them. Even if they are cheap, you find yourself spending an arm and a leg when you keep reinstalling them.