How To Clean Kitchen Countertops
Whether you have installed quartz kitchen countertops, laminate, granite, marble, wood, soapstone or stainless steel or any other countertops for your kitchen and bathroom, you will have to clean and maintain the countertops. There is no one cleaning method but different cleaning ways for different types of countertops.
Kitchen countertop cleaning tips
Your countertop is the focal point of your kitchen where all the major work takes place and your countertop goes through a lot of abuse. Even when you are not cooking, your countertop is in use for keeping the utensils, for putting the groceries and food stuff, for pouring juice, for mixing and when you are cooking, then you know what happens to it.
Cleaning different countertop materials
- Granite
Granite is the most popular choice of homeowners these days for countertops. It comes in a wide array of colors and designs to choose form and is very low maintenance. Clean granite with a mild cleaner and washcloth only.
Granite is resistant to acidic substances and cleaners so never use vinegar solution to clean or very harsh cleaners as it will damage it. If you have installed granite, the granite countertop companies also provide a special cleaner with it.
You may ask the granite countertop companies for more tips to keep your granite clean.
- Wood
Also known as butcher’s block, wood can get stained very easily. Make sure to wipe it immediately if anything is spilled on it. Use a vinegar and water solution to clean it daily and one a week rub it with lemon to remove the smells from wood. Oiling is necessary once a month to retain its shine or else it will look dull. For more severe stains make a solution of vinegar and baking powder and clean with it.
- Quartz
The best and the most low-maintenance mineral for countertop. Quartz kitchen countertops are now taking over granite because of their hard structure.
Quartz kitchen countertops are stain-resistant, scratch resistant, also has anti-bacterial properties and are non-porous so you do not need to worry about spills and can use it as you want it to. To clean you just need soapy water and a wash cloth. Do not use harsh cleaners and quartz does not even require sealing.
- Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is immensely gaining recognition in commercial kitchens because of its modern look and feel. Stainless steel is extremely low maintenance and does not need any special products for cleaning. Stainless steel does not require any sealing. The only problem is of fingerprint stains. Clean and wipe with a microfiber cloth specially designed to clean stainless steel with just soapy water or mild cleaner and it will be as good as new.
- Lamination
Laminate is a very durable man-made material. It can be replicated to look like expensive granite, marble and quartz. It is super easy to clean as you need a micro fiber wash cloth and cleaner. Vinegar and baking soda solution will also do wonders for you laminates but make sure to not scrub on plain laminates as it may damage it. If you have textured laminates then you will need to scrub it lightly to clean the nooks and corners.
- Soapstone
It is a non-porous material which makes it stain resistant and also scratch resistant. You will need nothing more than any household cleaner and cloth. Make sure the cleaner is not abrasive but mild. Vinegar and water solution will also clean it thoroughly.
- Tile
The only cleaning problem with tiles is the grout, where food, spills and dirt get accumulated. Bleach, cleaning agent and a scrubbing brush can make the grout sparkling and shiny.
Whatever you decide, look 10 years in the future and look for sustainability and sustainability such as granite or quartz which even the granite countertop companies durham nc will tell you about.
