Your kitchen countertop is one of the most well-used surfaces in your house. Therefore, it is important that it is maintained the right way so you can preserve its beauty and functionality for the longest time possible.
Natural countertops, while being unmatched in aesthetic and durability, need regular and proper maintenance. Luckily, these maintenance tasks are not difficult and are things you can easily do yourself. You just have to know the right way.
• Do clean up any spills right away before they stain
Even though sealing can do a great job at keeping stains away, this doesn’t mean that you can take your time and leave spills overnight. Use a soft cloth to clean up any spill right away, and make sure to use coasters for your glasses.
• Do use chopping boards every time
Make sure to use a chopping board every time, especially when cutting citruses. This can help to prevent the development of scratches. Plus, the acid from citrus foods can damage the sealer, so never cut such foods directly on the surface of the natural stone countertop.
• Do clean your natural stone countertop regularly
If you want a long-lasting countertop that maintains its luster over the years, regularly cleaning it will work wonders. All you need is lukewarm water, a cloth and a mild soap to clean it every day and your countertop will last for years.
• Don’t use an abrasive cleaner
Never use abrasive cleaners including bleach, ammonia and vinegar on your natural stone countertop. Using these cleaners will only cause damage to the countertop and will even affect the natural color of the stone. The harsh chemicals will damage the sealant, exposing the natural stone to stains and scratches. Only use safe and non-toxic cleaners which are meant specifically for the type of natural stone you have.
• Don’t miss out on sealing
By now, you have probably guessed that sealing your natural stone countertop, especially granite is a pretty important step you don’t want to miss. You may think that you don’t need it since natural stones are already so durable, but considering the fact that kitchen countertops are used heavily and exposed to all kinds of materials, sealing shouldn’t be skipped.
• Don’t keep hot pots and pans directly on the surface
Heat can damage your countertop, so never keep hot pots and pans directly on the surface. Always have mats and pads readily available anytime.
Make sure to keep these tips in mind for your countertop maintenance and you’ll be surprised how long your kitchen countertop can serve you.