Whether your countertops have seen better days or you’ve got new countertops that you want to keep in good shape, here are some tips for caring for different types of counter surfaces to keep them looking great!
- Laminate: You can keep laminate looking good with a thick paste of baking soda and water. Leave the paste on stains for 3-5 minutes and most stains will disappear. For tougher stains rub household bleach into the stain with a cotton ball until clean and then rinse with soapy water and rub down with a clean, damp rag.
- Granite: If your granite is properly sealed all you need to do is wipe it down regularly with a wet cloth. To find out if your granite is sealed, splash some water on it and wait for 10-15 minutes. If the water is still beaded, you’re good to go. If it has soaked in head to the hardware store to purchase a do-it-yourself sealer which is pretty easy and inexpensive.
- Marble: Food stains can be removed with a thick paste of water, baking soda, and dish soap. Oil stains can be removed with hydrogen peroxide or mineral spirits. Etching and corrosion can be buffed away with marble polish.
- Wood/Butcher Block: The best way to care for wood counter surfaces is to apply mineral oil on a monthly basis. Stains can be removed with lemon juice or hydrogen peroxide.
- Quartz: Quartz countertops are made to take a beating, however if stains do happen they can be taken care of with a paste of flour and hydrogen peroxide. Apply the paste and allow to sit for 24 hours then wipe away and clean the surface with water.
- Stainless Steel: Stainless steel scratches easily, but these scratches can be buffed out with an abrasive pad. Rust stains can be cleaned up with a paste of lemon juice and baking soda, but it is best to avoid rust altogether by not allowing pots and pans to touch counter surfaces directly.
- Solid Surface: Buff scratches out with a mild abrasive and take care of stains with a paste of baking soda and water or lemon juice.
- Ceramic Tile: The best way to keep tile countertops looking new is to care for the grout regularly with a toothbrush and mildew-fighting solution. Stains can be cleaned up with a toothbrush and diluted household bleach and then wiped up with soap and water.
Hopefully these tips will help you keep your kitchen looking shiny and new for a long time to come!
Thinking of buying or selling a home in Sussex County? Give us a call at Cooper Real Estate Associates and put us to work for you – 302-644-2266.