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How To Make Kitchen Countertops Shine

From laminate to granite countertops, applying the right cleaning techniques can give your countertops back their shine. Apply ammonia-based cleaners or a teaspoon of mild dish soap mixed with water to clean and shine the surface. Carbonated beverages, fruit juices and other natural acids can eat away at the surface of marble if they are left in place. Add 1/4 cup of isopropyl alcohol to the mixture for shiny and germ-free countertops.
How To Clean Worktops For A Streak Free Shine You Can See Your Reflection! Chemical Free | Duration 51 Seconds For standard tile cleaning without leaving a film, add 1/4 cup of white vinegar to 1 gallon of warm water, but increase the vinegar to a full cup if the tile countertop appears dull. Finish up with a wipe down of club soda to make the tiles shine. Protect your laminate countertop by chopping or cutting items on a cutting board rather than directly on the surface. Do not use over-the-counter cleaners that contain residues, as these can leave a streaked finish on the surface. She has written for newspapers, magazines, online publications and sites. Avoid cleaners that contain residues, which could cloud the surface of the countertop. You do need to seal the countertop to prevent oil or food stains impregnating the surface. After cleaning, seal the grout to protect it from stains and excessive wear. Clean the surface with a few squirts of mild detergent mixed in a bowl of warm water, then wipe down with a clean cloth. Do not allow water to flood the surface of laminate or get near seams, as this can cause the material to swell.

How To Clean Your Kitchen Surfaces by dummies.com

If you can’t identify a surface, err with caution and avoid bleach. For sheer speed, it can be tempting to zap the same product on every surface in the room, but only surfaces that come into direct contact with food need antibacterial protection. The worktops that you prepare and perhaps eat your food on need to be kept as hygienically clean as possible. Yet frequent attention makes your kitchen look smart and inviting. Wipe to remove dirt before getting at stains with a dab of washing-up (dishwashing) liquid. Polish occasionally with a light liquid wax if you like a shiny effect. The wood darkens as it ages no matter how often you dust it. The best advice is to preserve unsealed wood’s good looks and colour by sealing it with a light varnish. Hopefully, your kitchen worktops (countertops) and units are the ultimate in hard-wearing, able to withstand strong and effective cleaning. This means checking all bottles of multi-surface cleaner, as many include bleach as an ingredient. A standard multi-purpose spray, which is cheaper and may have more stain-shifting power, is the better choice for other areas. Be sure to choose an antibacterial cleaner, rather than a simple antibacterial spray. Using them on small areas such as telephone key pads or toilet handles is fine, but why make twice the work for yourself in the kitchen, when you’re covering large areas. It’s easy to neglect cupboard and drawer fronts during your regular cleaning session.

How To Paint Laminate Countertops by apartmenttherapy.com

To make matters worse, you aren’t supposed to have the windows open or a fan on while painting your countertop to insure dust/debris won’t find its way on to the surface. After the countertop is completely dry, lightly sand the laminate. All you’re really trying to do at this point is sand the glossy finish off so that your paint can have something to stick to. This makes sanding the elbows and corners of the laminate top a lot easier. Throughly clean the countertops, making sure to wipe up any leftover dust and debris.

The Best Way To Clean Granite Countertops | Duration 1 Minutes 47 Seconds After it dries, wipe the surface with your hand— if any dust remains, clean it again. Tape off the edges and any surrounding areas you don’t want to get paint on. It’s a good idea to cover any lower cabinets with plastic as well. With your paint brush, apply a coat of paint to the backsplash working from the top down, extending the paint onto the surface of the countertop an inch or two. Because you painted out from the backsplash a few inches with your brush, you should have a smooth transition and won’t have to worry about getting the roller too close to the backsplash and messing up the finish. Roll on long, continual strokes going from the back of the counter all the way down the front ledge. The photo above is what my countertop looked like after the first coat. Let your countertop cure for 3 days before use, or according to manufacturers recommendations. If completely replacing them isn’t an option for you right now, updating your existing laminate with countertop coating is a great way to achieve a new, fresh look without breaking the bank. Completely clear off the countertop and scrub it down with a cleaning solution. Be sure to get in the corners and on the top ledge of the back of the counter —any left behind dust can keep the paint from sticking to the countertop. If you are painting around a sink or next to an appliance, be sure to cover it with a plastic drop cloth and tape the edges. Even though your countertop paint may be thick, it will dry very quickly so you need to move along at a good pace and keep an eye out for drips. Be sure there is a good amount of paint on your roller but don’t worry about complete coverage on your first coat—especially if you are covering a dark counter with a light paint. Repeat the last step as many times as necessary until you can no longer see the original countertop through the paint. Use a utility knife to score the edges before removing the painters tape. Wondering how well the coated counters stood up over time?

How To Clean Laminate Countertops by merrymaids.com

Let’s take a look at some of the best ways to clean this material, including how to clean laminate countertops on a daily basis. Laminate is a composite material comprised of layers of paper and resin. After the laminate has been created, it’s cut down to size and glued to plywood. Doing so results in less wear and tear, which means your counters last longer.

Worktop Wonder | Duration 1 Minutes 13 Seconds Apply a mixture of dish soap and water to your counters using the cloth. That way you’re actually cleaning, not just spreading dingy suds around. If your countertops are stained, you can take care of those with baking soda and water. Spread the paste over the stain and let it sit for about five minutes. To get your money’s worth out of your counters, you need to do more than know how to clean laminate countertops. Know your manufacturer’s recommendations for cleaning products and materials. Use knives, meat tenderizers or similar kitchen utensils on your countertop. With proper cleaning, laminate counters can last you a long time. However, to see the best return on your countertop investment, you need to know how to clean laminate countertops so that your surfaces hold up for years to come. Interestingly, some layers are made of the same paper that grocery bags are made from. The combination of heat and pressure results in the layers chemically bonding to create one sheet of laminate. However, when you clean a surface regularly, you should use milder materials. To clean laminate countertops on a daily basis, all you need is dishwashing liquid, warm water and a microfiber cloth. Afterwards, you can let the counter air dry or you can wipe away any remaining moisture with a fresh microfiber cloth. Simply combine a tablespoon of baking soda with a couple of tablespoons of water and mix those together to form a paste. Afterwards, wipe your countertops down with a damp microfiber cloth. If the stain still isn’t gone, you’ll need to check the manufacturer’s instructions to see what stain removal products they recommend. Put down placemats and trivets to protect laminate from heat. Wash laminate countertops with bleach, as it can discolor the surface. Has learning how to clean laminate countertops inspired you to tackle the rest of the kitchen?

How To Remove Stains From Plastic Laminate Countertops by familyhandyman.com

Stubborn stains on countertops can be frustrating, but they don’t have to be permanent. Check the label and make sure any product you use is recommended for laminate countertops. Most solvents won’t harm or discolor plastic laminate, but play it safe and test them on an inconspicuous spot first. They may remove stains, but they may also leave micro-scratches in the surface, making future stains more likely. Since you may not know what brand of laminate you have, test bleach before using it. Check the spot for discoloration before you use bleach on a stain. Spray or wipe on a product meant for countertops and wipe off the excess. Apply the paste to the stain and lay a wet paper towel over the paste to keep it moist. The secret to success with these products is patience; let the cleaner work for five minutes or so before you wipe off the countertop. Just let the paste work for one to two hours and then wipe it off gently. It can seep under the laminate, weaken the adhesive and damage the particleboard substrate. Use white rags to avoid staining the countertop with fabric dye. These solvents are flammable and give off nasty fumes, so the best way to use them is to apply a small amount to a soft rag or cotton ball. Some laminate manufacturers suggest using it undiluted on stains, while others warn against using any product that contains bleach. The best way to prevent stains is to wipe up messes immediately; the longer something sits, the more likely it is to leave a stain. But years of wear leave the surface more porous and stain-prone; that’s when these protective coatings can make a big difference.

How To Clean A Granite Countertop | Duration 1 Minutes 58 Seconds Any coating product will wear off and should be reapplied every few weeks.

Caring For Your Worktop: Granite Marble Stone by margrasil.co.uk

Because of its structure, quartz is much more resistant to staining (although not stain proof) and odours. For sticky spots detergent or a general cleaning solvent is suggested. While quartz is an extremely tough material care should always be taken to avoid impacts, which may cause surface marking or chipping. Surface shine can be maintained by using liquid all-purpose cleaners. The granite / marble is sealed during the manufacturing process but this is not impermeable. This will reduce the chance of any seeping through the seal. The stone finish may be scratched and your knives will become blunt. It is possible to place hot things directly onto granite or marble countertops, but if you use the same area over a period of time the stone could eventually crystallize and discolour. Use trivets or mats under hot dishes and place mats under china, ceramics, silver or other objects that can scratch the surface. Your worktops will be sealed twice prior to installation. It also offers the lustre and beauty of natural stone without the worry that your new quartz kitchen countertop could be easily damaged. However, since extreme heat may affect or damage any quartz kitchen worktop or work surface, the use of a trivet or pad is strongly advised. As with any worktop, immediate attention to cleaning spills is encouraged. For extremely stubborn spills, a non-metallic scouring pad can be used without causing damage to the quartz worktop. Purchasing granite or marble worktops for your home or office is an investment that will give you many years of beautiful service. However, the secret to cleaning granite or marble worktops is the drying process, and not any particular cleansing agent. If spillage of potentially harmful substances occurs, remove the liquid as soon as possible. Do not chop food directly on granite or marble kitchen worktops. You may wish to have stainless steel rods or studs inserted into the stone near hobs, ovens, microwaves etc. Use fine steel wool #000 grade to remove any hardened food residue, lime scale, etc. Never use any other chemicals, sealants or detergents other than those specifically suited to granite or marble stone.

Formica® Laminate Cleaning Guide by formica.com

Rinse with clean water, using a clean, non-abrasive cotton cloth. Dry the surface with a soft, clean, non-abrasive cotton cloth. Use a nylon bristled hand or vegetable brush, along with a mild liquid detergent-and-water solution or household cleaner. Ceramics, including unglazed materials and other abrasive objects, can cause scratching and premature wear – do not slide these items across surface. These cleaners will mar, etch, corrode, and permanently discolor the laminate surface. Accidental spills or splatters from these compounds should be wiped off immediately, and the area rinsed thoroughly with water. Here’s what you need to know about special finishes, various materials and your laminate countertop. In most cases, you only need to use a clean, damp, nonabrasive cotton cloth and a mild liquid detergent or household cleaner. Do not flood the laminate, especially near seams, since water can penetrate and cause the substrate to swell. Also, make sure that bottles, rags, and other materials contaminated with these cleaners never contact the laminate surface.

Varnishing by diy.stackexchange.com

Laminate is meant to be impervious to liquids and oil finishes require the ability to soak into the surface. Browse other questions tagged varnishing or ask your own question. How to apply varnish of a different color on a varnished wood shed? Theoretically, you could apply a varnish (probably polyurethane)to the surface, but most laminate surfaces resist adhesion, so it may flake off on the sound sections and stick to the scarred areas. It all depends on what kind of surface you want and the intended uses. Has a journal ever switched between being a predatory journal and a reputable one? Why are bash brace expansions not working for commands?

Cleaning and Caring For Countertops by thespruce.com

The more serious your cleaning regime, the more you need to know about what type of countertops you have. Really with all countertops, a little bit of cleaning right away goes a long way. Because these countertops come in a variety of colors, they are very popular in new construction and renovations. If your countertops have a shiny surface, refrain from harsh abrasives, relying instead on baking soda for tough cleaning spots. While you have to be careful with slate countertops, it is possible to keep them clean and beautiful. That being said, laminate countertops can be very beautiful and functional in a home. For stains, a baking soda paste may need to be used to draw up the stain. Granite countertops are a selling point in homes and will continue to be. Granite can be susceptible to stains, especially oily stains. Granite responds well to mild cleaners like water and dish soap. They are also modern and beautiful, making them a great choice for a kitchen. Scratching is also very common, although over time scratches seem to blend into the countertops. Water left on the surface to dry will often temporarily spot the stainless steel. Dish soap works well on stainless steel, as do mild abrasive cleaners. There are also a number of stainless steel cleaner products on the market. While there is an abundance of choices for our countertop decor, there are many ways to damage those surfaces with improper care and cleaning. Most countertops will do well with just a damp microfiber cleaning cloth. Many countertops need to be protected from dulling their finish with abrasives. When it comes time to clean these synthetic stone countertops, dish soap may actually be your best friend. Laminate countertops stand up to a ton of spills and potential damage. Laminate countertops have seams where the pieces are put together. It’s a good idea to go ahead and dry the countertops after they are cleaned to prevent water from getting into the seams. While marble countertops may not be as prevalent as some of the other types, they are amazingly gorgeous and add incredible value to a kitchen or bathroom. Avoid vinegar and any other acidic substances like lemons or tomatoes. Granite is a stone, so tough and abrasive cleaners should be avoided to prevent etching and scratching. A baking soda paste or poultice may need to be used to draw the stain back up out of the stone. Microfiber cloths will work well at removing dirt without scratching the surface. Stainless steel countertops are the tops when it comes to sanitary working conditions. Proper cleaning will prevent stains from every being a problem since acids and oils don’t bother stainless steel. It’s a good idea to dry stainless steel countertops to prevent water spots.

How To Recover Kitchen Worktops by ehow.co.uk

You can change your mind and c hange your consent choices at anytime by returning to this site. Rather than incurring the expense of uninstalling the counter tops and putting in new marble or granite worktops, you can just recover the existing laminate. Clean the existing worktop with a degreaser and steel wool pad. Lay laminate sheets over the worktop and trace the edges of the existing worktop with a pencil. Set the cut laminate sheets over the counter, on top of the wood dowels. Press and smooth the laminate sheet onto the old worktop with a laminate roller. He later became an outplacement consultant, then a retail business consultant. This project is not difficult but is a bit time consuming and can be accomplished by any homeowner willing to take on the task. Wipe up any dust with a tack cloth thoroughly once the surfaced is roughed. Score along the traced lines with a utility knife on one side, then flip the laminate sheet over and score the opposite side. Set the cut laminate sheets back in the kitchen, standing them on their sides on the floor. Lay wood dowels across the old worktop about 1 foot apart while the contact cement is still wet. Line up the edges of the counter and laminate sheets, then pull the wood dowels out slowly. Let the contact cement dry for 15 to 30 minutes, or the time suggested by the manufacturer. Clean with a sponge using a mixture of warm water and white vinegar.

Removing Stains On Countertops by thriftyfun.com

If it doesn’t come right off, leave the cream of tartar paste on the stain longer before washing off with a clean wet dishcloth. Apply the paste on the stain and leave for 30 minutes then rinse with water. You may want to try scrubbing the area with a moist sponge and baking soda. I think the granules in the ajax/comet are just enough to take the grime and stain off with out scratching the counter. It seems to get stains off surfaces where nothing else has worked. Any suggestions to either replace the counter cheaply or repair it without any noticeable difference? The stain has faded, but still is somewhat visible and crack is still visible. Already we’ve put stains on our nice, white kitchen countertops (made of laminate?). After all, do you really want to look forward to removing stains from these worktops for the next 10-20 years? You need to use the kind in which you are supposed to dip your silver jewelry and it works like a miracle. Removing or covering these blemishes can help it look better. Place a small amount of the cream of tartar and water mixture on the stain, and then rub with a clean wet dishcloth. Be careful not to get it on the wood edge as it will also remove the finish on the edge. I use clorox to remove the stains and it has not harmed the finish nor the color. I have tried baking soda and bleach before too, with no luck. Spray on white counter top and leave it sit for a minute and wipe and rinse with a wet rag. I was wondering if anyone has any ideas on how to remove them. I have removed the colour, but still can see the marks from where the paper was sitting. I had the same problem and they got the stain out with no effort at all. Don’t replace your countertops, any surface will require cleaning. I even use it to get out stubborn stains from my white laundry, mostly cottons.

Black Matt Laminate Worktop Losing Black Colour by diynot.com

I can’t really think of anything else that would cause such fading. What people do in the real world is give them a wipe with products such as bleach, fairy, flash and other aggressive products. Either that or peoples’ budgets are encouraging a sub-standard market. It seems as though some manufacturers are making products unsuitable for a kitchen and need their asses kicking. It is obvious as you say, that this has been made unfit for purpose. But what it has done, is lost the blackness that it started off with and in places has gone more of a grey colour. Which it does initially, but 5 mins later it has gone back to the lighter colour again. We fitted a new kitchen around 18 months ago along with the standard matt black laminate worktop. Anyway, we have always been very careful and never cut directly on to it and therefore it is without scratches. I haven’t tried anything other than using a waxy furniture polish on it to bring the colour back.

Cleaning Or Brightening Plastic Laminate Kitchen Countertops by naturalhandyman.com

By sealing the surface, staining is reduced and cleanup is much easier. However, there may be additives in auto wax that would make it undesirable to use on food contact surfaces. My husband wants to cut that part out of the countertop and install some sort of cutting board inlay that could be removed for cleaning and such. A piece of butcherblock would be ideal provided it is at least 1 1/2″ thick. Then, make a second cut all the way around the bottom to meet the first cut, leaving a 3/4″ x 3/4″ notch all around the bottom. This plan has the cutting board raised above the countertop about 3/4″ if it was originally 1 1/2″ thick. It will still be removable, but you will need to slide a putty knife carefully under the edge to free the caulk’s glue-like bond. It was very simple, he said, and almost anyone could do it. He did the cutting as you suggested except this inlay came with the metal ring, ready to install. As with all wax products, it will wear off over time and need to be reapplied. The melted plastic from the toaster scorched a small area of our countertop. It is unique because it has a small “backsplash” as well as an overlap on the front edge of the counter. You could take a thick piece of butcherblock and build it into your existing countertop. The first thing would be to find a suitably-sized cutting board. First, prepare the cutting board by cutting a notch around the perimeter of the bottom about 3/4″ wide by 3/4″ deep. If you would like it raised a little less, make the notch deeper. If you think this might be a problem, set the cutting board into the countertop with either latex caulk or plumber’s putty. On possible drawback is the cut-out section of countertop might be tend to sag over time if there is no nearby support underneath.