How to Avoid Stains on Your Kitchen Countertop

Kitchen improvements before selling

Today, kitchens are multipurpose areas. Nowadays, they are not used just for cooking. We can spend hours in our kitchens performing different activities from cooking and eating up to studying and working on the computer. Therefore, we try to design them as practical and comfortable as possible.
Because of the constant and different uses we have for it, it is unavoidable that your kitchen countertops suffer some damage or get stained. Anything from a knife scratch to a wine spill can become a mess if we don’t act immediately.
Not all countertops are the same. You should perform different procedures and clean techniques, depending on the material your kitchen countertop is made of. Otherwise, instead of cleaning the mess, you might make it bigger.
Here are some easy tips you can apply to keep your kitchen countertops clean avoiding stains and other damages.
Greg Hammel 5

What to Do?

Regardless of the material of your countertop, you should never let any spill sit. Stuff like grease and cooking oil can harden and stick to a surface if they are allowed to dry out. Everything is much easier to clean if it is done right away.

Granite clean granite countertop

Granite is an igneous rock, and its natural properties and its wide range of colors make it a stylish choice for today’s countertops.
Never use acidic cleaning products and anything vinegar-based because it can damage granite. It is recommended only using warm water, a good amount of soap and a wet sponge or soft cloth to clean the surface.

Wood

Wood is beautiful and elegant, but it is also more fragile than stone. Always wipe up all spills quickly to prevent stains and keep countertops as dry as possible. A good habit is rubbing linseed or mineral oil into the wood to protect it from moisture, about once a month or so.
You can also mix 1/2 cup baking soda in 1-quart warm water. Rub the paste into the wood using a synthetic scouring pad. Rinse well and blot up excess moisture. When dry, restore the finish by using boiled linseed oil rubbed in with a fine steel wool pad. Treat the countertop with two coats of oil, applied 24 hours apart, blotting up excess moisture after each application.

QuartzQuartz Countertop at The Kitchen Showcase

Quartz is a very tough, material. A quartz countertop should be resistant to scratches, stains, and scorches because of its polished finish. Nonetheless, avoid spills to sit in.
Clean the surface softly using mild household cleaners. Make it a point to avoid harsh cleansers, and always use a nonabrasive cleaning sponge or pad to remove any stubborn stains.
 

Marble

Treat marble with a specialized stone sealer to reduce its porosity, and wipe up wine, fruit juice, and other acidic food spills immediately to prevent permanent surface etching. Abrasive cleaners will mark the surface of marble, and oil polish and soft waxes may discolor it.
While many commercial cleaners are available, borax rubbed into the surface with a moistened cloth will also clean marble. Rinse with warm water and buff dry with a soft cloth.
These are only a few examples of the different cleaning options and techniques you can apply to specific countertop materials. Remember there’s no single, one-size-fits-all tip for cleaning countertops.
Follow us for more tips on how to clean steel, acrylic and other countertops made of different materials and keep your kitchen nice and shiny.

How to Avoid Stains on Your Kitchen Countertop, Part 3

Over the last couple of weeks, we have covered different cleaning tips and techniques you can apply in order to keep your kitchen countertop as clean and shiny as the day it was installed.
Not all countertops are the same and they come in a wide variety of materials, it is very important to have basic knowledge of your kitchen countertop and the material it is made of. This way, you will be able to apply the correct cleaning products and procedures without making a bigger mess.
On our previous posts we went over suggestions for cleaning countertops made of wood, quartz, granite, stainless steel, marble, and concrete among others. Today, we would like to focus on the last three countertop materials we haven’t discussed yet, starting with plastic laminate.

Center Kitchen DesignPlastic Laminate

Plastic laminate countertops provide cooks a smooth, waterproof work surface that’s easy to clean. No wonder why you can find them in countless kitchens across the U.S. Nonetheless, they get scratched, burned and stained pretty eassily as well.
It doesn’t mean that plastic laminate countertops are fragile, but they do require daily and proper care to keep them nice and clean.
For general cleaning, a two-sided scrubbing pad with fiber on one side and a sponge on the other works particularly well. Moistened slightly with water, the fiber side is just abrasive enough to loosen greasy buildup and scorched food spills.
Appliance wax or light furniture wax helps laminate surfaces resist stains and scratching. Try applying it with regularity for better results and never use abrasive cleaners or steel wool on laminate countertops.

Formica

Formica countertops are very popular because of their adaptability and versatility. It is inexpensive and requires little maintenance. It comes in many different colors and patterns and can be installed over existing laminate, which can reduce expenses when the time comes to replace countertops.

Photo by Modern Glass Solutions- modernglasssolutions.com
Photo by Modern Glass Solutions- modernglasssolutions.com

With the proper cares Formica countertops can last a long time. Be sure to wipe up spills immediately to prevent staining. Formica is easy to maintain if spills are cleaned up right away. However, if a stain sets in, it’ll be practically impossible to remove.
To clean Formica counters, avoid abrasive cleaners -including ammonia or bleach- and use mild soap, a soft cloth and warm water. If you notice it begins to show streaks, you can use a household glass cleaner to return the surface back to its original appearance.

Acrylic

Acrylic countertops are extremely durable and easy to clean. To remove any stain or scratches you can use a steel wool or try scouring powder. Use a mild abrasive cleanser applied directly to the wet countertop. Rinse well and buff dry with a soft cloth.
Keep in mind that regardless of the simple actions required to maintain clean an acrylic countertop; a very hot pot or pan will leave a permanent burn on the surface.
So, as you can see, there are numerous tips and actions you can perform in different types of kitchen countertops to keep them in great conditions, stainless and good looking.
Knowing the materials it was made of and how they react to different cleaning methods is the key to long lasting countertops. In addition, remember that regardless its material, to always clean any spill or mess immediately.

How to Avoid Stains on Your Kitchen Countertop, Part 2

kitchen showcase feng shui cures for your kitchen

So, previously we addressed the subject of how your kitchen’s countertop, naturally suffers from the multiple purposes we have for our kitchen.
We also analyzed different actions and techniques you can apply in order to keep your countertops nice and shiny all the time.
Now, because all countertops are different and they come in a wide range of materials and styles, we were emphatic in the importance of knowing your countertop and its materials before applying any cleaning products.
On our previous post, we went over stone made countertops, such as granite, marble and quartz. Today, we would like to conclude the subject and discuss the techniques and procedures to keep clean and avoid stains on countertops made of other materials such as steel and concrete.

Avanti 1The Right Way

Before saying anything, we would like to remind you that no matter what happens, always try to clean any spills at once. The longer it stays sit, the harder it would be to clean it.

Concrete

Concrete is a great option of countertop material because of its versatility and wide range of styles and colors. Concrete’s two main ingredients (sand and water) are abundant, and recycled materials like glass can be included in the mixture as well, making its surface eco friendly.
You can clean concrete surfaces, by using a mixture of vinegar and water. Avoid abrasive soaps and cleaning solutions containing harsh chemicals. Abrasive pads and sponges can damage the surface as well.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is very sensitive to the atmosphere, and when it’s exposed to harsh chemicals or materials, it can become permanently damaged. Nonetheless, it is a very popular choice.
To keep its modern and shinny look regularly wash the surface with warm water and a small amount of baking soda. Always thoroughly dry your countertops after cleaning to prevent water spots. Leaving wet materials on a surface will lead to discoloration.
nav-firstMineral deposits can be extremely tough to clean on stainless steel. Use a small amount of vinegar and rinse with water to remove these deposits. Avoid abrasive materials like steel wool. Rough cloths or pads will scratch the surface and ruin stainless steel’s reflective finish.

Ceramic Tile

Ceramic titles counters have the particular quality that unlike most other surfaces, it can take the heat from hot pots and pans. –A pretty handy attribute for the kitchen.
Ceramic tiles are extremely durable, but the grout between them is soft, porous and prone to cracks. To keep the ceramic countertop clean, use a toothbrush or nailbrush to scrub grout. To remove mildew, dip the brush in household bleach. Rinse with water to finish the job.
We have already discussed several suggestions and cleaning tips for at least 7 different kitchen countertops made of diverse materials, but we still have more cleaning tips for other types of countertop materials. Follow us on our next posts until we reach yours.