Your home is a reflection of yourself, and your countertops are the focal point of that reflection.
It’s important to take the necessary steps to properly maintain them, because not only do you want them to keep looking pristine, but you want them to remain bacteria-free as well.
However, proper countertop care can be tricky.
How can you get rid of bacteria without scouring the surface? How can you clean curry stains off your granite countertops?
That’s where we come in.
In this blog, we’ll cover different countertop types and the cleaning methods necessary for each, and why it’s important to treat each countertop differently.
Why It’s Important To Treat Each Countertop Differently
When you’re considering a countertop for your home, you will notice each has its own unique selling points and features making them unique.
Because of this, each countertop type also comes with unique cleaning and maintenance needs.
That’s why it’s critical to know what you’re signing up for before making a lifelong commitment and purchasing a countertop.
Whether you’re in the market for a new countertop, or looking for advice on routine maintenance and cleaning, here are our best expert tips to steer you in the right direction.
Granite
Granite is popular for its incredible durability, but it needs special care.
To prevent wear and tear on a granite countertop, it needs regular resealing to protect from stains.
Not sure if your countertop is sealed? Splash some water on its surface. If the granite absorbs the water instead of causing it to bead up, it is not properly sealed.
Call us, and we can take care of that for you!
As for regular daily cleaning, a simple mixture of warm water and soap should do the trick.
However, be cautious when choosing cleansers, and avoid abrasive or acidic cleaners, as they can strip the sealer over time.
A general note: Keeping a few coasters or placemats handy is a good way to help preserve your countertops. The acid in some beverages can create deep scratches and other imperfections in the counter’s surface.
How To Clean
Wipe down the surface with warm, soapy water and rinse thoroughly.
Mild bleach cleaner can be used on tough stains, but don’t use abrasive cleansers or scrub pads because they may scratch the surface.
How To Remove Stains
If you have stains on your granite, don’t fret. While it is disappointing, there are ways to get rid of them!
- Make a paste of baking soda and water mixed with a diluted solution of ammonia, bleach, or hydrogen peroxide.
- Gently scrub the stained area with the paste and a soft brush. Be sure the brush is soft, to avoid scratching or dulling the surface.
- Rinse thoroughly and wipe down with a soft cloth.
Quartz
Engineered to mimic its natural stone counterparts, quartz countertops recreate the look and feel of other stones without requiring the same maintenance and care.
Like granite, these countertops can be washed with a nonabrasive cleanser, but they don’t need any resealing to stay in perfect condition.
How To Clean
Always use a soft cloth to clean up with a mixture of mild dish detergent and warm water.
When working with quartz countertops, you should never expose the surface to bleach or other abrasive products.
How To Remove Stains
Since liquids do not absorb into the quartz surface, you will not have to deal with any tough stains.
But if you do wish to clean your quartz, we recommend using liquid vim in the cream form, as this is a nonabrasive cleanser.
However, should there be any issue or major flaw with your countertops, contact us and one of our quartz experts will assist you.
Solid Surface
Solid surface countertops are engineered and designed to take a beating and still retain an attractive look, plus since it is essentially a hard-core, plastic material, it is impervious to water and stains.
Solid surface countertops are available in both glossy and semi-glossy finishes, and a variety of beautiful and unique colours, patterns, and designs.
The inherent qualities of solid surface countertops make it easy to maintain and work with for years to come, because they are strong, seamless, and can handle mild abrasives.
How To Clean
Clean your solid surface countertops with soapy water or cleansers specifically for solid surfaces.
It is crucial to wipe the surface completely dry after to cleaning to prevent a film from building up on the surface.
If you need to disinfect the surface, a diluted bleach works best.
How To Remove Stains
One of the many great things about solid surface countertops, is that they are stain resistant.
You can wipe away virtually all stains with soap and water.
However, heavier damage such as burn marks, scratches, or persistent stains need to be dealt with by a professional. If you have these issues with your solid surface countertops, contact your Rock With Us experts and we’ll take care of it for you.
Want Your Countertops In One Day?
At Rock With Us, it’s our passion to provide you with exactly what you want, when you need it.
We are proud to offer one day installations as well as same-day plumbing so that we…
- Minimize the time our countertop installers are in your home
- Ensure you feel comfortable and at ease with the entire tear out and installation process
Get Started
Contact us today to speak with our experts about which countertop material would be best for you, and get started on transforming your home.
