Horizons East Building Company is here to help you learn the basics of home maintenance so that you can spend less time stressing about how to care for your home and more time doing the things you love in your new space. In this article, you will learn how to care for your counters to keep them in the best shape!
How to Protect Your Countertops
There are some general rules of thumb you can follow to protect your countertops, no matter which type you have.
- Wipe away spills as soon as possible, especially if spilled food is acidic or has coloring or dyes
- Avoid standing or sitting on stone countertops
- Always use a cutting board when preparing food
- Use trivets to protect your counters from hot dishes while cooking
How to Clean Your Countertops
Granite
Granite is one of the most popular choices for kitchen counters. It is resistant to bacteria, comes in a wide variety of styles and colors, and is a beautiful addition to any new home.
For Sealed Granite
- For daily cleaning, use a citrus based Windex, or warm soap, water and a microfiber cloth or sponge.
- For maintenance, you can purchase a spray sealer/cleaner/polish from Lowes or Home Depot, and follow the instructions on the can. Expect to reseal your countertops every so often to prevent stains, which can be impossible to remove if not taken care of properly. Our vendor recommends resealing every 6 weeks.
For “Permasealed” Granite
This is a proprietary sealer that our granite vendor offers.
- This is the maintenance free option. If you choose to have our vendor apply Permaseal to your granite, your countertop will have a 15 year warranty and is transferable with the home.
- Any cleaning products can be used on Permaseal, with the exception of commercial bleach.
Quartz
This increasingly popular option is engineered to be durable and doesn’t require a sealant because it is nonporous.
- As one of the easiest countertops to care for, quartz resists stains and scratches, and is not negatively affected by acidic foods.
- Clean daily with warm soap, water, and a microfiber cloth or sponge
- Gently scrape any excess buildup of dirt or food with a putty knife
- Don’t use bleach or harsh chemicals because it may damage the surface
Cultured Marble
Cultured marble is a more affordable counter option than natural stone and it beautifully imitates natural marble. Like quartz, cultured marble is manufactured to be durable and doesn’t require a sealant.
- Clean daily with warm soap, water, and a microfiber cloth or sponge
- For gloss finishes, completely avoid abrasives
- For matte finishes, abrasives are ok when you’re trying to get rid of a stain
- If stained, make a paste out of baking soda and water and use a microfiber cloth to remove the stain – don’t scrub
- To maintain the surface’s shine, apply a protective coat of wax every few months
Formica (Laminate)
The most common brand of laminate countertops is Formica. With laminate countertops, you have more freedom in choosing cleaning products and they are typically easier to maintain than natural stone countertops.
- Clean daily with warm soap, water, or household cleaner and a microfiber cloth or sponge
- Avoid acidic cleansers or bleach
- If stained, make a paste out of baking soda and water and use a microfiber cloth to remove the stain – don’t scrub
Unsure which type of countertop you have?
If you’re not sure which type of countertop you have, regular dish soap and water will work on almost any surface. The most important thing you can do is clean spills right away to avoid long-term staining or damage to the surface’s finish. Also always avoid scouring pads if you’re unsure of your counter’s surface.
Are your counters shiny?
If your countertops are shiny, they are likely sealed so you should avoid using harsh abrasives. You can use baking soda and water for tough spots rather than a scouring pad, but we recommend taking it slow and being careful not to scrub.
We suggest consulting with a licensed and experienced contractor for any issues as they arise. If you’d like more home maintenance tips, check out our blog.
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