Your kitchen countertop might be the one place in your home that receives the most traffic! From long nights of helping with homework, preparing meals, and throwing your mail, bag, or groceries on top of it, they truly see a lot and you might find yourself needing to clean them frequently. As a trusted custom countertop company in Birmingham, Alabama, we know that unfortunately, countertops aren’t a “one routine fits all” kind of area to clean and with as big of an investment as they are, you’re going to want to keep them in tip top shape so that they can last for years to come. The cleaning methods for kitchen or bathroom counters vary from material to material. To avoid scratching or damaging your new custom countertop, follow these tips and tricks!
Granite & Marble
What you’ll need: Water, Dish Soap, Microfiber Cloths, Baking Soda, Hydrogen Peroxide
Due to being relatively low maintenance stones, all you’ll need is a mixture of some warm water, dish soap, and a little elbow grease. Use a microfiber cloth to add a little bit of extra shine!
If your countertop is stained, that’s no problem! If it’s an oil-based stain, simply clean the area with a paste made of baking soda. If it’s a water-based stain, clean the area with hydrogen peroxide. Cover the area with plastic wrap and let sit overnight, you can repeat this process as needed! You can also try mixing some flour, a few drops of dish soap, and water together to remove the stain as well. Be sure to avoid using soaps that contain bleach, lemon juice, or other acids in it as well.
Quartz & Quartzite
What you’ll need: Water, Dish Soap, Glass Cleaner, Microfiber Cloths, Sponge
Like other surfaces, these types of countertops can be cleaned up with a little bit of soap and water. Though they’re pretty stain resistant, if you do happen to have stains that can’t be cleaned up with soap and water, a bit of glass cleaner and a sponge can do the trick! Avoid using abrasive cleaners like ones with vinegar or citrus bases. The stone will react with these cleaners and eventually overtime appear dull.
Soapstone
What you’ll need: Multipurpose Cleaner, Microfiber Cloths, Sandpaper
Cleaning this stone is pretty simple as well! You can use just about any multipurpose cleaner as long as it’s not super harsh. Stains can be removed with this as well! However, soapstone is on the softer end of the hardness scale for natural stone, which means that it has the tendency to scratch and nick. The good news is that most damage is repairable with a light sanding! You may also want to consider applying mineral oil either every month or 2-3 months, depending on your preference. Applying mineral oil to the stone speeds up the darkening process of the stone but if you decide to go without oil, the stone will slowly darken over time.
Onyx
What you’ll need: Soft Rag/Cloth, Natural Cleaner
Onyx is a soft, calcium-based stone so it reacts with acids including common household items like vinegar, coffee, and wine. It’s important to remember not to use any household cleaners such as glass/window or regular kitchen cleaners. You’re going to want to use a natural cleaning product and be sure not to put it directly onto the stone itself. Be sure to blot up spills as soon as they happen.
Limestone
What you’ll need: Soft Rag/Cloth, Mixture of Flour and Hydrogen Peroxide
Much like onyx, limestone reacts heavily to acids so you should not use a regular household cleaner. Instead, you can remove stains by mixing 1 cup of flour with 2-3 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide. Remember to blot the stain before cleaning it to get up the excess. Limestone is prone to scratching so don’t use a sponge with a rough surface as that might cause more damage in the long run.
Feel as if your countertops are beyond repair? Have any questions about different types of custom countertops and how to properly care for them? At Cutstone Company, we take pride in our work and want to help give you the best resources to take care of your new countertops. With all the great options around town, we are happy you chose us for your residential stone needs. We have many different stone options to choose from for your project and commit to providing products and services at a price you can afford. Call us today! (205) 378-0765