How to Clean Kitchen Countertops – the Full Guide

cleaning your kitchen countertop

Every kitchen showroom has different kinds of kitchen countertops. You will probably be astounded by the number of choices available. Marble, granite, soapstone, and wood all have their own advantages and disadvantages in terms of cleaning and upkeep. Knowing what you are getting into before you buy is crucial. To maintain any surfaces looking amazing, make sure you’re taking the right measures and avoiding any scratching or high heat exposure.

The mainstay of the kitchen is your kitchen counter. It is amongst the most often touched and highly trafficked areas in any home. Even if you aren’t cooking, you are likely to utilize your counter. That is where you put your stuff for the day. It is also where you’ll be standing as you wait for your toast to pop up. It’s the place where you unload your purchases. And on days when you cook, it’s splattered with foods that have gone amiss.  The counter deals with a lot more than you think.

For sure you clean it up every day by scooping up the bread crumbs, wiping the coffee spills, and organizing the items on it. But how about a thorough cleaning?

Countertops with stubborn stains may appear challenging to clean, but with the correct materials and processes, you will have gleaming worktops in a trice!

Marble, tile, different kinds of wood, stainless steel, granite, and other kitchen countertop materials are all simple to clean and remove stains. Understanding how to maintain worktops clean and stain-free improves the appearance and longevity of countertops, as well as the overall appearance of your kitchen. This is a do-it-yourself project unless the surface has been damaged, in which situation a professional may be required.

Hellamaid gives you a free guide on how to take care of different kitchen countertops.

Granite Countertop

Granite is a prominent countertop material since it is all-natural, long-lasting, and available in a wide range of hues. It will look wonderful for several years if properly maintained.

How to clean?

Thoroughly clean the area with warm, soapy water. Rinse with water after.  You may also disinfect with a light bleach solution. If you use abrasive cleaning or scrub pads, you risk scratching the surface.

How to remove the stain?

Mix baking soda and water to make a paste. Scrub the area gently with the paste and a gentle brush. Place a plastic wrap and let it stay overnight. Rinse the surface well with a microfiber cloth and warm water. To erase stains from granite countertops, many treatments may be required.

How to seal it?

To decide when to reseal, use the water droplet test. A few droplets of water should be left on your counter. No resealing is required if the droplet remains on the surface after 15 minutes. If the drips spread and leave a black trace on the stone after blotting off the excess, use a stone-specific product to avoid stains and make cleaning easier.

Ceramic-Tile Countertop

For modern worktop solutions, ceramic tile is a good middle-of-the-road choice. It is really long-lasting, available in a range of colors and sizes, and is inexpensive to buy in quantity. It’s also great for a DIY project if you just want to build your own countertops.

How to clean?

Soap might create a coating on the tiles if they aren’t properly cleaned. When washing tile counters, add white vinegar to the water to solve the problem.  Keep away from using harsh cleaners and abrasive pads to avoid damaging the countertop.

How to remove the stain?

Despite the fact that tile does not discolor easily, the grout might. It’s also the most probable place to find germs. Clean the grout with a toothbrush and a light bleach solution. Then use a professional grout sealer to seal it.

How to seal it?

Ceramic tile that has been glazed does not have to be sealed. But the grout must be treated with a stain-resistant grout sealer. For preservation and stain resistance, unglazed tile counters must be treated with a penetrating sealer.

Laminate Countertops

Laminate is a preferred countertop option in households since it is cost-effective and available in a broad range of colors and designs. It can endure stains and heat, but blades may readily damage it. Because laminate cannot be repaired, always utilize a cutting board while working with it. If existing laminate countertops are damaged, won’t clean, or could use a weekend makeover, you can DIY remove them and replace them with a new design.

How to clean?

To clean a laminate countertop, use warm, soapy water, a moderate bleach solution, or a non-abrasive kitchen cleaner. Avoid scratching the surface with abrasive cleaning pads or stiff-bristled brushes. Along seams and metal edges, use a gentle toothbrush. When using bleach solutions, be cautious, they may change the color of the countertop or damage adjacent surfaces. First, do a test in an unobtrusive location.

How to remove the stain?

Cleaning kitchen surfaces with natural cleaning materials like vinegar and water can help remove grease buildup. If the material is sticky, massage it with a baking soda and water mixture before rinsing.

How to seal it?

Laminate countertops do not require sealing.

Stone Countertops: Limestone, Soapstone, Slate

Stone countertops are long-lasting that may be used in both the kitchen and the bathroom. It appeals to expert cooks, who believe it to be an excellent complement for stainless steel fixtures seen in professional kitchen gear.

Stone Countertop

How to clean?

Rinse the surface well with warm, soapy water. You may also use a moderate bleach solution. Avoid using harsh cleaners or scrubbing pads on the surface since they may damage it. Acidic cleaners, such as vinegar or lemon, should not be used to clean stone countertops because they might chip or scratch the surface.

How to remove the stain?

Mix baking soda and water to make a paste. Scrub the area gently with the paste and a gentle brush. Rinse the dish well. It may take many treatments to remove the stain from your stone counters.

How to seal it?

To prevent future stains and make routine cleaning easier, seal with a proper sealer made for your specific stone.

Butcher-Block Countertops

The look of butcher-block counters is stunning. They may be used as a chopping board, and also the softer top makes the kitchen quieter. It is, however, subject to scrapes and discoloration since it is made of wood.

ButcherBlock Countertop

How to clean?

Wash the butcher block countertop with a mix of water and mild dishwashing solutions using a clean sponge or soft cloth. Using a soft towel, dry the wood. One tablespoon of bleach combined with one gallon of warm water will kill germs left behind by raw meat and other pollutants. Then, as indicated above, wash and dry with a light dishwashing solvent.

How to remove the stain?

To keep the dye from seeping into the pores of the wood, blot up as much as you can. If you have a mild butcher-block stain, sprinkle some salt on it. Clean with the cut side of half a lemon after that. If the stain is still visible allow it to soak in water overnight before washing and drying with a clean towel. Try dabbing a cotton swab dipped in a small percentage of hydrogen peroxide solution over a darker wood countertop stain to brighten it. You may always sand and refinish the butcher block if the stain appears to be persistent.

How to seal it?

To protect wood countertops from drying out, provide a gloss and help seal the surface. To seal butcher-block countertops, apply a little application of mineral oil to the wood and allow it to soak in. Soak up any oil that hasn’t soaked in. If you apply too much oil, the surface will get sticky and collect dirt. Linseed or vegetable oil should not be used for this since they might get rotten.

Concrete Countertops

When it comes to kitchen remodeling, concrete countertops aren’t usually the first thing that comes to mind. High-end concrete, on the other hand, is as long-lasting as granite or slate and is entirely customizable. In a modern-industrial style, it emanates a contemporary atmosphere. It’s scratch and heat resistant as well.

Concrete Countertop

How to clean?

Rinse your concrete countertop well after wiping it down with warm, soapy water. A light bleach mixture can also be used. Abrasive brushes or scrub pads should not be used since they may damage the material.

How to remove the stain?

Mix baking soda and water to create a paste. Scrub the area gently with the paste and a gentle brush. Wash the surface well. It’s possible that you’ll have to do this numerous times to get the stain out.

How to seal it?

To help avoid stains and make it simpler to clean, use a concrete sealer designed for that purpose.

Marble Countertops

Marble countertops are one-of-a-kind, heat-resistant, and long-lasting. They are stain-resistant once sealed, and because marble is a natural stone, it is scratch- and crack-resistant. However, because marble is porous, spills must be cleared up promptly, especially if it’s a misplaced cup of tea or coffee.

Marble Countertop

How to clean?

To avoid stains, clean your marble countertop with a wet soft cloth or microfiber towel. Using a clean towel, wipe the surface dry. Because marble is prone to watermarks, it should never be left to air dry. Use a pH-neutral dishwashing chemical combined with warm water for a deeper clean. Rinse well to remove any residue, then dry completely.

How to remove the stain?

Wine, orange juice, tomatoes, and soft beverages can severely damage your marble, so blot them right away. A poultice, a strong paste that collects the stain from the surface, may be used to remove most marble countertop stains. Deep-seated stains may necessitate the assistance of a specialist.

How to seal it?

Use a product designed specifically for the porous surface of the marble.

Glass Countertops

Countertops made of crushed glass are works of beauty. Each one is a one-of-a-kind addition to your house due to the glass combination utilized in its creation. Aside from the sensitive edges, meals with a high acid content might discolor them.

Glass Countertop

How to clean?

Glass countertops may be cleaned with any industrial soap or cleansers which you have in your house for cleaning hard surfaces, like glass cleaner and multi-purpose cleaner. To prevent scratching the surface, use a soft cloth or sponge. Abrasive cleansers and scratchy cleaning equipment should be avoided.

How to remove the stain?

One of the features of the glass countertop is being stain-resistant. But stuck-on filth may be scrubbed away with dishwashing soap and hot water.

How to seal it?

There is no need for sealing.

Stainless Steel Countertops

Countertops made of stainless steel are elegant and contemporary. They are nonporous and robust, making them ideal for use in the food sector. They may, however, be scratched, thus non-abrasive cleaning is required.

Stainless Steel Countertop

How to clean?

For dry cleaning, use a microfiber towel to wipe off your stainless-steel countertop. Use a delicate cloth soaked in a mix of warm water and mild dishwashing solutions for wet cleaning. Using clean water, rinse the area and dry with a clean, soft cloth. To remove fingerprints and smudges, look for industrial stainless-steel cleaners.

How to remove the stain?

One of the features of the stainless-steel countertop is being stain-resistant.

How to seal it?

There is no need for sealing.

Wood Countertops

The wood countertop remains a classic as homeowners choose kitchen and bath design alternatives in an ever-changing world of materials and styles. Wood’s gorgeous appearance and natural feel are difficult to match with any other tabletop material.

Wood Countertop

How to clean?

Use a solution made of moderate dishwashing soap and water to clean your wood countertop. Rinse the dish well. Dry with a clean, gentle cloth.

How to remove the stain?

To keep the dye from seeping into the pores of the wood, blot up as much as you can. If you have a minor stain, try putting salt over it. Wash with the cut side of half a lemon after that. Is the stain still visible? Allow it to soak in water overnight before washing and drying with a clean towel. To brighten a darker stain, dab it with a cotton swab soaked in a small percentage of hydrogen peroxide solution. You may always sand and refinish a wood countertop if the stain appears to be permanent.

How to seal it?

Oiling wood worktops, such as butcher-block counters, prevents the wood from drying out, seals the surface, and provides a gloss. Apply a light application of mineral oil to the wood, allowing it to soak in before wiping away any excess oil. If you apply too much oil, the surface will get sticky and collect dirt. Linseed or vegetable oil should not be used.

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Hellamaid is a top-rated cleaning company in Canada that’s changing the cleaning industry. Led by two engineers, Ahmed and Abdul,  Hellamaid is on a mission to make cleaning services a better experience for both ends of the market: homeowners and cleaners. We offer value to homeowners through easy online booking and impeccable customer service, while offering a flexible and well paid opportunity to our cleaning partners. Learn more about us here!

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