Countertops are one of the foundational aspects of a home. They provide stability and strength to the house. They create an elegant and timeless base on which we can express individual design wishes. Moreover, they offer functional assistance in our daily lives as they are the reliable surface on which we prepare nourishing meals for our loved ones.
To elongate their life, they should be cared for and maintained properly. Continue reading to learn the basics on countertop care and the best tips for countertop maintenance. Whether you are looking for the best tips to lengthen the life of newly installed countertops or a seasoned homeowner who is interested in rejuvenating their countertops, our recommendations will help you.
Best Tips For Cleaning Countertops
The best way to keep your countertops clean is to wipe them regularly. This is not the most exciting tip, however, it is the best way to ensure that your countertops won’t get too dirty or stained. Use a soft cloth and mild dish soap to wipe down your countertop daily so that dirt and grime won’t build up. If you prevent build-up from accumulating on the countertops, the cleaning process will be much easier and won’t take long.
An important aspect to keep in mind is to always use mild cleaners. Some stones are sensitive to certain ingredients. Therefore it is best to always use mild and non-abrasive cleaners. Similarly, avoid abrasive tools such as steel wool or cleaning items with harsh pads that can cause scratching.
Although stones such as granite and quartzite are incredibly hard and long-lasting, they can still be scratched. Therefore, always use cutting boards and avoid cutting directly on the countertops. Moreover, when cleaning the countertops, don’t use excessive force.
The best way of ensuring stains don’t occur on the countertops is to blot and wipe spills immediately after they happen. Once an ingredient with a staining effect is spilled on the countertops, clean the excess of the liquid with a dry cloth immediately. Don’t wipe the area as it may cause the stain to affect a larger area.
Countertops Care & Maintenance
Sealing and resealing countertops is one of the most important aspects of countertop maintenance. All natural stones have a porous build. In other words, they have small holes all over them that allow dirt and food particles to get into the stone. Once these outside factors have seeped in, they are incredibly hard to clean. Therefore, the best way to prevent discoloration, bacterial growth, or mold that can be caused by such factors is to seal the surface of the stone entirely. Sealing your countertops will ensure that they will be protected. Another advantage of sealing is that it will make the countertop very easy to clean.
The countertop should be sealed before they are installed. Afterward, they should be resealed regularly. Most professionals suggest resealing once a year. However, if you notice that the countertops are losing their shine and starting to look slightly dull, it could be a sign that the sealant is wearing off and needs resealing.
The best way to care for your countertops is to pay attention to the guidelines that are determined by the manufacturer and installer. As they work closely with the stones, they have intimate information about the ins and outs of every individual stone. They will instruct you about the best ways to care for and maintain your new countertops. You should always listen to and follow these suggestions.
Similar to cutting boards, using coasters and trivets is one of the basics on countertop care. Coasters will prevent staining agents such as coffee from coming into contact with the stone. Trivets will protect the stone from hot pots and pans that can burn the sealant due to how hot they are.
What To Avoid For Countertop Care
Some natural stones are sensitive to acidic liquids due to their harsh nature. You should never cut citrus directly on the countertops as it can cause etching or cause damage to the sealant. Similarly, although vinegar is a beloved cleaning agent, it is not ideal for countertops.
If you have hard water in your area, leaving the water on the countertops to air dry on its own can lead to mineral deposit building on the countertops. This can cause the countertops to look dirty even when they are not. The best way of managing the buildup is to dry the countertop after using it with a clean and soft towel.
Direct sunlight can cause the color of the countertop to fade over time. This is especially the case for quartz countertops. It can also cause the light base color of the countertops to gain a yellow hue. You can consider tinting your windows to avoid prolonged exposure. Moreover, you should consider different, more suitable materials for outside countertops.
In short, caring for countertops can be a very easy process as long as you pay attention to a few important details. Regular cleaning will make the process much easier. Furthermore, sealing and resealing is a step that should not be overlooked so that the countertops can resist stains and bacteria. Keeping up with these rules will ensure that your countertops will keep their newly installed and unblemished surface for a long time.
