Countertops are an important element of any home, and can make a kitchen look impressive and stylish when they’re cared for appropriately. If your countertops are in need of some TLC, why not hire a cleaning company to restore them to their former glory?
Failing that, here are some tips you can try to keep your stone and/or wooden countertops in tip top condition:
How to properly clean stone countertops
The following tips are applicable for all types of stone:
- To prevent the surface of your stone countertops from cracking, use trivets for pans and other cookware that may be excessively hot.
- Prone to stains that are often impossible to remove, spillages on stone countertops should be cleaned up as soon as possible.
- Don’t cut food items directly on the countertop; use a cutting board instead.
Marble
Prevention is better than cure when it comes to marble countertops, and spillages should be cleaned up quickly, while the surface can be regularly cleaned with warm water and dish soap.
Quartz
Never use harsh, abrasive cleaning tools or products on quartz; simple glass cleaner is usually effective.
Granite
Use dish soap and water daily to clean granite countertops.
Concrete
A combination of water and dish soap (1 teaspoon of soap to 4 cups of water) in a spray bottle can be used to keep concrete surfaces clean.
How to properly clean wooden countertops
Firstly, it’s important to determine whether the wood is treated or untreated. Once you’ve established this, follow the tips below:
Untreated wood:
- A simple mixture of warm water and a few drops of dish soap can be used to keep untreated wooden countertops clean.
- Alternatively, you can use a combination of 1 part white vinegar, to 3 parts warm water.
Treated wood:
- Use mild dish soap and water, or vinegar diluted with water to safely clean wooden countertops that have been treated.
How to remove stains from wooden countertops
For untreated wooden countertops, follow the tips below:
- Mix salt and lemon juice together, rub into the stain and leave it for up to 10 minutes before wiping it away.
- With hydrogen peroxide and baking soda, make a thin paste to rub onto the stain. Leave it for up to 10 minutes before wiping off. The stain will become lighter with each application.
- This should only ever be a last resort if a stain is proving impossible to remove – use coarse sandpaper to sand off the stain, then smooth it out with a fine grit. Remember to seal the affected area with oil or paraffin oil.
By using beeswax or paraffin wax, mineral oil or tung oil, you can help care for your wooden countertops that haven’t been treated, but it’s best to check with the manufacturer before doing so.
One of the simplest ways to care for all of your countertops, whatever they’re made of, is to hire an experienced cleaning service. With their know-how and access to the right tools and materials, they’ll clean your countertops professionally, and the rest of your home, too.
