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Countertop Maintenance: What You Need To Know

The buzz around new countertops doesn’t end once your remodeling or redesign project is complete, or at least, it shouldn’t end! Whether you just moved into a new home, replaced your countertops as part of a larger project, or just wanted (or needed) to change your countertops, it’s important to know that countertop maintenance is critical.

There are several things to keep in mind if this concept is new to you, or you’ve overlooked it in all of your excitement, as far as countertop maintenance goes. What kind of material is your countertop made of? Where are your countertops located? What maintenance supplies and materials do you need to adequately maintain your countertops? How often should you perform maintenance efforts? Whatever it is, here’s what you need to know about countertop maintenance:

Make Sure You Have The Right Supplies

Almost all countertops have at least a few of the same maintenance supplies and tools, though marble, for example, may require certain supplies that wood countertops do not, and vice versa. Here’s a non-exhaustive list of maintenance supplies you’ll likely need:

• Water bucket
• Distilled white vinegar (for wood)
• Scraper
• Microfiber cloth (for wood)
• Dish soap, baking soda, hydrogen peroxide (for marble and granite)
• Mild household cleaning solution (for laminate)
• Non-abrasive glass or surface cleaner (for quartz)
• Non-abrasive sponge 

Different Stones Have Different Needs

As you can see from the supplies list, marble and granite are maintained using different cleaning solutions than quartz and other engineered stone countertops. Despite the differences in maintenance procedures, experts agree that with stone countertops, you should avoid using acidic and harsh cleaning solutions. For more information on how to maintain different stone countertops, check out the guide in this link!

Non-Stone Countertops

Wood countertops are definitely in, but require a lot of attention compared to other surfaces. Because wood damages easily, it’s necessary to wipe up and clean spills immediately so the surface doesn’t stain. Other than that, a weekly rub down of ½ cup of baking soda mixed with a quart of water should do the trick. After, restore the wood’s finish by rubbing linseed oil, and to prevent unpleasant smells in between, rub lemon slices on your wood countertops!

Laminate, on the other hand, is much more simple. Clean your laminate countertops daily by adding some dish soap to warm water and lightly scrubbing with a sponge. Monthly applications of wax should prevent scratches and resist stains.

Your Maintenance Schedule

Depending on the material that your countertops are made of, there are two tiers of maintenance schedules. The first and most frequent is your daily cleaning. Regardless of material, all countertops will need to be cleaned daily, or spot-cleaned when spills and accidents happen! Second is your restoration schedule! Whether resealing or applying a layer of wax, pair these two maintenance measures and create a schedule that’s appropriate for your countertops, and enjoy them for much longer!