When you install your kitchen countertops, you want them to look good for a long time, don’t you? The good news is that it’s possible to do it. How do you go about it? Here is what you need to do:
Don’t cut directly on the countertops
As much as the countertops look tough and indestructible, they aren’t. When you repeatedly cut directly on them, you are bound to damage them permanently.
You can get away with it the first few times, but when you continuously do it, you leave permanent knife marks on the surfaces, which are not only unsightly to look at but also give your counters a cheap look.
The best way to go about it is always to have a chopping board where you do all your chopping. Here is where you chop your vegetables, tomatoes, onions, meat, and other items you might be interested in.
Of course, ensure that the chopping board is in good shape and doesn’t scratch your counters.
Be ultra cautious when doing the cleaning.
Cleaning your counters removes dust and other materials from the surfaces, but you should be cautious about how you go about it. This is because you can easily cause more problems than were originally there.
As much as you want your countertops to look good and new, don’t use harsh cleaning products, as you will damage the surfaces. As a rule of thumb, don’t use products containing strong acidic ingredients as they will remove the sealant or coating.
To be safe, use mild cleaners to clean your surfaces. If you aren’t sure about the right ones to get, consult a professional. Your manufacturer will also guide you pick the right cleaner for your surfaces.
Keep the counters away from heat.
The same way, some people have the impression that they can safely cut directly on their countertops in the same way they have the impression that they can place hot pots and other hot items on their counters without causing any damage.
Unfortunately, this isn’t the case.
As much as granite surfaces are tough, they aren’t heatproof. This means that when you place hot items on them, they will get damaged, and you don’t want this, do you?
To protect your surfaces from heat damage, have hot pads, trivets, and other protective materials on the countertop surfaces.
As you protect your surfaces, remember that it’s not only the hot pots from the fire that can damage your surfaces but also, hot plates and cups can cause extensive damage, so always have coasters to place your hot cups and plates on.
If you don’t have these protective materials on your surfaces, don’t risk it. Always let your hot pots cool down completely before you place them on the surfaces.
Don’t sit on the counters.
When you look at your countertops, they look like excellent sitting surfaces, right? While they are, you shouldn’t succumb to sitting or standing on them.
Besides the risk of the countertops breaking, there is also the risk of the metal parts of your jeans and other pieces of clothing scratching the surfaces and giving them a dull look.
You don’t want this, do you?
Avoid sitting or standing on your surfaces at all costs to ensure this doesn’t happen.
To eliminate the temptation, have a chair in your kitchen to sit on as you wait for the food to cook.
Have a ladder in the kitchen to avoid having to stand on the counters to replace the bulb or reach the top shelves.
Seal the countertops
If you have porous countertops such as granite and marble countertops NC, make it an effort to seal them at the time of installation, then at least once every year.
Use high-quality sealing products to get the most from your sealing work. As a rule of thumb, use products specially designed for your countertops.
Besides this, ensure that the sealing work is done by an expert who has been at it for a long time. Don’t hire a noob who will likely cause more problems than were originally there.