You have your beautiful new kitchen or bathroom countertops that you have been wanting for a long time. Now your focus is maintaining that beauty so that you get years of enjoyment out of your laminate countertops. You needna��t worry because taking care of laminate surfaces is easier than you think. Most damage to these surfaces tends to be from misuse or lack of proper care. Just follow a few easy steps and youa��ll smile every time you walk in the room.
The heart of maintaining any surface, including laminate countertops, starts with everyday care and cleaning. Dona��t allow stains, food or liquids to set on the counter and solidifya��wipe them up as they occur. Just like washing out a stain in clothing when it happens versus waiting until laundry day a few days later, the result will be much better and to your liking. Simply use a basic kitchen household cleaner, ideally with a disinfectant and wipe your counter with a wet rag or cloth and then wipe with a dry cloth to finish. It is always best to use a nonabrasive cloth material to avoid minor scratches (a soft cloth is great, the abrasive side of a sponge is not). Scratches may not be noticeable right away but over time will show and dull your counter and also open the surface to mildew or bacteria. All of these problems lead eventually to discoloration.
Most basic kitchen cleaners are safe and mild enough for use on laminate countertops. One way to make sure you are using an appropriate cleaner is to check the pH. An ideal pH is 7, a completely neutral pH. Also avoid excess water from getting into the seams as this can encourage the growth of bacteria which will create rot over time.
If you have a special finish or design on your laminate surface, you should clean it with a soft brush to be able to clean off any small food or other particles that may get into grooves or ridged areas. If you have a glossy laminate surface, try using a mild glass or winder cleaner to maintain the shine of your gloss finish.
Other basic things to remember are to avoid placing hot items directly onto the surfacea��always use a hot pad or trivet. And, never use your countertop as a cutting board.
With these basic care and use tips, you can extend the life and the beauty of your laminate countertops for many years.
Do you want to replace your cut or damaged laminate countertops? VT Industries Inc. offers a variety of different laminate countertop styles. Get in touch with them.
