Get Real with Doug Robinson: How to Maintain Every Type of Countertop

How to Maintain Every Type of Countertop

Whether you have quartz, marble, granite, or another type of kitchen countertop, you’ll want to learn the ins and outs of how to take care of it. When it comes to countertop maintenance, one size definitely does not fit all!

The good news is, once you learn what type of care your countertop needs, you’ll be able to keep it looking like new. Start by taking a look at these tips for maintaining some of the most common countertop materials.

Quartz
Quartz is one of the most durable countertop options, and it’s made to last. Since it’s nonporous, it doesn’t need to be sealed and requires very little maintenance other than keeping it clean. You’ll want to wipe your quartz countertop down with dish soap and water or a non-abrasive glass or surface cleaner. Also, be sure to use a non-abrasive sponge or microfiber cloths.

Quartz is stain-, heat-, and scratch-resistant. However, if you do come across a stubborn stain, apply a paste made from flour and hydrogen peroxide to it for 24 hours and it should come right out.

Marble
Marble is higher maintenance than many other types of countertop materials. Since it’s naturally porous, it’s susceptible to etching, oil stains, and food stains. If you notice chemical corrosion, you can usually buff this out with a marble polish.

You can lift most food stains with a paste made of baking soda, dish soap, and a bit of water. For oil stains, use mineral spirits, hydrogen peroxide, or ammonia. You’ll also need to seal your marble countertops once every few months to protect them from stains.

Granite
You can care for Granite countertops in much the same way as marble. This material typically needs to be sealed once a year. You can check to see if your countertops are properly sealed by splashing some water on them. Wait 10 minutes to see if it’s still pooled up. If the countertop has absorbed the water, it’s time to reseal it.

To clean both marble and granite countertops, wipe them down with mild dish soap and a non-abrasive sponge. Then use a microfiber cloth to shine up the stone.
Laminate
Laminate countertops are super durable and don’t require any sealing. To clean it, just use water and a non-chemical liquid detergent. Avoid any harsh products that contain alkali or acid, and don’t use any abrasives like scouring pads or steel wool.

You can remove stubborn stains with a paste made of baking soda and water. Let it sit for five minutes, then gently wipe it off with a soft microfiber cloth. Since baking soda is a mild abrasive, be careful not to scrub it. You’ll also want to protect your laminate countertops from scratches and burns by using cutting boards and trivets.

Ceramic Tile
When maintaining countertops made with ceramic tile, you’ll want to regularly clean the grout. Use a solution of 1/4 cup bleach and 2 cups of water and a soft toothbrush. Rinse the bleach solution away using a moist sponge, then scrub the countertops down with soap and water and rinse them thoroughly.

You’ll also want to reseal the grout every few years. This will help keep bacteria and mildew from growing on it.

Wood
If you have a wooden butcher block built into your countertop, you’ll need to maintain it by applying mineral oil once a month. If you find that it has marks or burns on it, you can typically sand these out. In addition, most stains will easily come out with a bit of hydrogen peroxide or lemon juice.

Follow these simple instructions, and you’ll be able to enjoy your beautiful countertops for many years to come!

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