There are many different types of countertops, and as you can imagine, this leads to many different ways to maintain them. It’s enough information to make your head dizzy, so let’s break it down to the basics on how to clean countertops and maintain them.
First of all, I’m assuming you’ve already made your purchase and are simply looking for information on countertop maintenance. But if you’re still doing some research, this article can help you decide which is the best option for your home, as some types are harder to maintain than others.
With these tips, you can get an idea of which ones are easier and cheaper to maintain!
If you don’t see your type of countertop here (trust me, there are so many!), feel free to leave a comment and I’ll try to help!
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Stainless Steel
Stainless steel countertops are slick and stain resistant, but are some of the most susceptible to scratches – so much so that they’re basically inevitable. You can remedy some of this with an abrasive pad, but the main problem that can ruin your stainless steel countertop is rust.
Prevent this by not leaving it wet for too long and avoiding direct contact with extreme heat (from pans, for example).
If you ever notice rust, you can treat it with a mix of lemon juice and baking soda – but the ideal is to never let it happen in the first place!
Marble
Marble countertops are famous for being stylish and classy, and though they are somewhat scratch and stain resistant, they’re not the best at that. Scratches are usually disguised by the swirly marble patterns and natural noise, but since marble is actually porous, it’s more susceptible to staining.
- Although it’s fairly heat resistant, you should also protect it from direct contact with pans.
- Food stains can be easily treated with a mixture of water, baking soda and dish soap.
- Oil stains however may require something a bit stronger like ammonia or hydrogen peroxide, and you should be very careful when handling these substances.
Wood
Wood countertops are usually saved for butcher blocks nowadays, but that means they need to be maintained even more since they’re used for cutting most of the time. The best way to keep them new is to apply mineral oil at least once a month, but there’s a lot more to know on how to maintain wood countertops.
For burns and light scratches you can use sanding, while stains are better dealt with lemon juice – be quick about it though, the more the wood absorbs the stain, the harder it is to get rid of it.
Quartz
Quartz is one of the most resilient types of countertops on the market, meaning it’s very unlikely you’ll ever scratch or stain it – unless you’re really trying! When it comes to how to keep countertops like new, the tip for Quartz is… don’t have a sword fight on top of it. That’s about it.
In the unlikely event you have to deal with a stain, there is a solution: create a paste of hydrogen peroxide and flour, apply it generously over the stain, and let it sit over it for 24 hours. The stain should disappear.
Laminate
Laminate countertops are a medium option in terms of resistance, but they have the advantage that they’re easy to maintain for the most part. Recent stains can be easily patched up with the evergreen paste of baking soda and water – just let it rinse for up to five minutes and the stain should be gone when you clean it.
More difficult stains may require a stronger solution, but that should be a rare occurrence.
Tile countertops
Ceramic tiles are quite common because of their versatility. Visually there’s tons of variety to choose from and they’re very resistant to stains and scratches – the main thing you should worry about maintaining is the grout in between the tiles.
The grout is porous, so it can absorb moisture and stain if not cleaned properly, which is why it should be resealed every so often.
Tip: You can also clean the grout with a toothbrush to remove recent stains by applying a paste of baking soda, hydrogen peroxide and dish soap. Apply it over the grout, let it sit for at least 5 minutes and rinse.
If you like how they look, here’s everything you should know about tile countertops!
Granite
Granite countertops are among the most resistant types of countertop, but they are porous – which is why they’re almost always sealed when installed. If your granite countertop isn’t properly sealed, it will start absorbing moisture and other substances, which can lead to nasty stains.
The easy way to know if your granite countertop is sealed is just to pour some water over it and let it sit for 15 minutes or so. If the water is absorbed, that means you should seal the granite right away. Luckily this process is quick and cheap, so no worries! Just be sure to reseal it regularly.
Need help to install or repair kitchen countertops? Get free quotes from a countertop pro in your area today!
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