Keeping the spaces in your home clean is essential, especially when it comes to the areas that you use frequently. Your bathrooms and kitchen are among the most utilized spaces, and the countertops in both areas are often exposed to dirt and bacteria. Properly cleaning and maintaining your kitchen and bathroom countertops can make food prep, cooking, and bathroom activities safer for your family and guests, while also keeping these spaces looking fresh and new. Take a look at these helpful tips for maintaining countertops:
Use Caution with High Heat
No matter how heat-resistant your countertop may be, that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea to leave hot pans or pots on the surface. Even tough materials can be harmed when exposed to excessive high heat, so placing a trivet or potholder on the counter before setting hot objects down can help you maintain beautiful and damage-free countertops. The counter materials most vulnerable to scarring or melting when met with heat are wood, laminate, or recycled solid-surface materials. If possible, move hot pots and pans to a cool burner on the stove rather than the counter.
Avoid Harsh Cleaning Products
Cleaning your counters regularly is an obvious way to keep them looking new and attractive, but it’s important to remember that some countertop materials are more sensitive to chemicals than others. Many countertops include a sealant or protective layer on top, which can also be susceptible to damage if strong or potentially dangerous cleaning solutions are applied. Finding the type of cleaning product that is best suited for the material your countertop is made of can help you avoid surface deterioration and other harm to your counters.
Reseal Your Countertops
Though not all countertop materials require resealing, there are a few that professionals highly recommend reapplying sealant to periodically throughout the life of the material. The frequency of resealing can depend on how often you cook or how regularly your bathroom gets used. However, it’s suggested that countertops comprised of the following materials be resealed at least once per year:
- Granite
- Sandstone
- Marble
- Slate
- Concrete
Think Your Countertops are a Lost Cause?
If the existing countertops in the kitchen, bathroom, or any other area of your home are way past their prime, bringing them back to life might be a seemingly impossible task. When replacing or updating them is the better option, The J.F. Johnson Lumber Company has your solution. With a wide variety of countertop products and materials in stock, we can help you revitalize your space with new countertops that can withstand all the use you intend to give. Contact us today to learn more about the kitchen, bathroom, and additional home products we have for sale.
