You recently finished remodeling your kitchen and installed gorgeous new worktops. Even if your countertops are new, you should know that your countertops can still sustain damage in a variety of ways, even if they are composed of a sturdy material like quartz .

Here are a few tips to preserve the quality of your kitchen countertops for many years, if not decades, to come.

Seal the countertops

Stone worktops are renowned for requiring little upkeep. Thus, a lot of people frequently overlook the fact that a lot of stone varieties are porous and may absorb liquids, which might result in stains. If you periodically seal your counters, you can prevent this problem.

The cool thing is that sealing is easy if you have the right supplies.

If you have soapstone countertops, you don’t need to seal them. This is because soapstone is so dense that it cannot hold water. To guarantee that the stone’s patina is evenly developed, you should oil the soapstone.

If you aren’t sure whether you should seal the countertops, try this test:

• Apply a tsp of water to the concerned countertop.
• Give the water 15 to 30 minutes to settle.
• Clean up the water. You should seal your counters if the water leaves a stain. But don’t worry, the water stain will fade and dry.

You can seal the countertops by yourself, but for the best outcome, let a professional help you out.

Regardless of the person who installs the sealers, you should install high-quality sealers. Some of the many options you have include:

Penetrating sealers: They create a barrier that keeps stains, moisture, and damage out of your countertops by absorbing into their pores.

Topical sealers are a popular option in kitchens with high traffic since they give the countertop’s surface an extra layer of protection.

Laminate sealers: Available in huge rolls that can be cut to size and applied directly to the countertop surface, laminate sealers are designed to give a layer of protective skin to your countertop.

To ensure that your countertops always look brand new, you can update laminate sealers when they start to show signs of wear and tear.

Water-based sealers: These are a safer, greener alternative with strong damage prevention since they contain fewer volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Solvent-based sealers: Solvent-based sealers are incredibly long-lasting and resilient, providing excellent protection for outdoor surfaces that are frequently exposed to different elements.

Matte or gloss sealers: To match any kind of surface, these sealers come in matte and gloss finishes for you to choose from.

Use the right cleaning supplies.

Numerous cleaning solutions contain acids, which could cause your counter’s surface to get etched. When using products that contain citric acid or vinegar, exercise extreme caution because these cleaners are acidic and have the ability to etch stone over time.

Since phosphoric acid is a slightly stronger cleaning agent, it should also be avoided. Sometimes, bathroom tile, sink, and tub cleansers contain phosphoric acid.

You can clean your kitchen counters with a variety of mild cleaning solutions, like dish soap. For even more cleaning power, try mixing dishwashing soap and water with rubbing alcohol.

Another fantastic tool that you can use to keep your counters clean is a stone cleaner, which you may use if your countertops are made of genuine stone.

Protect your surfaces with trivets.

Any type of countertop has the potential to be highly heat-sensitive. Heat can cause some countertops to discolor, while it can also melt, break, or distort others. This is why it’s critical to create a barrier of protection between hot pans and countertops by using trivets, hot pads, or other types of pads to prevent heat from coming into direct contact with the countertops.

On some surfaces, a trivet can also be a visually pleasing element that adds to the look of the kitchen. While colorful ceramic trivets can be used to liven up a wood countertop, bamboo trivets go nicely with quartz or marble countertops.

Although there are many different kinds of stone used to make cutting boards, you should never use your countertop for this purpose. This is because you could scratch or gouge your countertops. This is particularly true if your countertops are made of marble, which is a softer stone.

To be on the safe side, always have a wooden cutting board in place. While a plastic board would do, you should note that many people tend to cut small pieces of plastic that usually end up in the food. You don’t want this, do you? So always use a wooden cutting board.

Clean spills as soon as they happen

Your counters may get etched by more than just cleaning solutions with acidic content. Foods high in acid have also been linked to damage. So you should be cautious with them.

You should clean red wine, white wine, soy sauce, and other acidic food spills as soon as possible to prevent stains.

You should note that an unnoticed spill is less likely to result in damage if your counters are securely sealed, so before you even rush to remove the spill, first ensure that the countertops are appropriately sealed.

Stop sitting or stepping on the countertops.

Even though stone countertops are famed for their strength, they might not be able to support your weight when you replace a lightbulb or reach into a cabinet to find a pot.

Due to this, it’s crucial to avoid standing or treading on your counters for safety reasons. An excellent way to go about it is to have a stool in the kitchen where you can sit when cooking. It’s also wise to have a ladder in close proximity to replace the bulb.

In the event that someone stands or sits on the countertops and develops any chips or cracks, you should have them fixed as soon as possible.

Parting shot

These are some of the tricks you can use to ensure that your countertops last for as long as possible. To have an easy time maintaining your countertops, ensure expert granite countertop installers NC or any other reputable professionals install them.