What to Add to Water When Washing the Countertop to Make It Look New

The first thing P&G Home Care senior scientist Morgan Brashear warns is that you shouldn’t use citrus-based detergent: The acids it contains can eat away at porous stone, leaving it dull and discolored.

It is also better to put aside ammonium-based detergents – they can damage both granite and even more sensitive marble. It’s best to choose a product specifically designed for the stone, and if you don’t have one, regular mild soap and warm water will help.

What to do:

Vinegar solution and lemon juice are not suitable for this – they are too aggressive for the stone. You need baking soda: make a paste, apply it to the stain, scrub with a soft brush. Remember that it is best to remove stains before they dry, otherwise traces of red wine, for example, could remain embedded in the surface forever.

Don’t want to have to mix the batter every time something spills? Keep a spray bottle with a 1:1 mixture of isopropyl alcohol and water handy – apply it to the stain, then wipe it with a microfiber cloth. Warning: this tip is only suitable for granite – alcohol can damage temperamental marbles.

To avoid stains, use a special sealant. “The frequency of resealing depends on the type of product chosen. Clean the countertop first, let it dry, then apply a sealer according to the product’s instructions, says Jessica Eck of the American Cleaning Institute.

Kitchen worktops covered in plastic are among the most common. To clean them, Brashear advises against using abrasive materials — they can damage the top layer, causing moisture to penetrate the bottom layer, causing cracking and swelling. Also, don’t wash your laminate countertop with bleach – this will make it look discolored.

According to professional cleaner Katie Cohun, the best solution for cleaning laminate countertops is dish detergent. Here’s how to do it:

“You need a teaspoon of baking soda – add a little water to it to make a thick paste. Apply a thin layer of paste to the stain, leave for three to five minutes, then remove with a soft sponge. If the stain doesn’t come out, repeat the procedure,” advises Katie.

In the West, solid wood countertops that resemble cutting boards are called butcher block countertops, which can be translated as “butcher counter.” Whether your countertop is urethane varnish, natural oil or wax, Paul Timmins, president of a wood furniture company, advises avoiding harsh chemicals.

Instead, Timmins recommends using a mixture of water and mild hand soap or dish soap: wipe the counter with the solution, then go over it with a cloth dampened with clean water, then dry the surface with a towel plain or paper towel.

If warm water and degreaser fail to remove the stain, Paul recommends mixing half a cup of vinegar, half a cup of water and one cup of lemon juice. The founder of the American Association of House Cleaners, Grace Reynolds, believes that there is no need to prepare special cleaning products: just sprinkle the salt stain and scrub it like a sponge with half a lemon.

“Oil your wood countertops regularly with mineral oil to prevent stains from being absorbed,” advises Ek. “Make simple polishing wipes: apply product to a soft cloth, wipe it across the counter, wait an hour, and repeat.”

Quartz countertops are made from quartz chips bonded with a polymer resin and have a reputation for being strong, durable and indestructible. “But that doesn’t mean quartz is invincible,” says Grace. She advises wiping up any spills immediately and never ignoring cutting boards just because the countertop doesn’t have visible scratches from a knife.

Neither table vinegar, nor hydrogen peroxide, nor lactic acid, nor window cleaner are suitable for washing quartz countertops – it is better to choose a special spray for this material. If you don’t have it on hand, use a solution of warm water containing dishwashing liquid: wipe the work surface with it, remove any remaining detergent with a damp cloth, then wipe the surface with a paper towel.

To remove stubborn stains, mix baking soda and water to form a paste, apply it to the stain, wait a few minutes, then rinse and gently dry the area.

Also read: Magic sponge or scraper that works wonders: what types of stains can be removed with melamine

Avoid heat: Quartz countertops are not heat resistant, so it’s important to keep silicone, wood, or ceramic heating pads on hand.

For deep cleaning, it is preferable to use products specially suited to stainless steel; For regular wiping, it is best to use a mixture of water and mild soap. But whatever product you choose, it should be applied with a soft microfiber cloth. “If you scratch the stainless steel, it will be very difficult to remove the scratch,” says Puette Noel, owner of a cleaning company.

A soda paste will help remove stains or rust marks: apply it to the dirt, rub gently, let it harden for an hour, then remove it.

“Apply a stainless steel sealer to protect the countertop surface from stains and erosion,” advises professional cleaner Kaylee Hill. It also reminds that to maintain a steel worktop, one cannot use hard sponges coated with metal, metal scrapers and scrubbers, chlorine disinfectants, as well as products containing acids and alkalis.

Soapstone looks great, but requires careful care: the best way to clean it is with mild dish soap and a microfiber cloth. Mix soap and water, dip a cloth in it and wipe the counter, paying more attention to heavily soiled areas. Remove any remaining detergent with a damp cloth, then dry the countertop with a towel.

“You can use 80-grit sandpaper to remove most scratches and stains from soapstone,” says Hill. She also explains that soapstone is not porous and therefore does not require a sealer, but you can use a special soapstone oil. to give shine to the material.

Tiles are now gaining popularity: they are durable, scratch resistant and can withstand high temperatures. You can clean the tiles, explains Ek, with any ceramic and porcelain cleaner: spray it on the countertop, wait the time indicated in the instructions, go over the surface with a brush, remove any remaining product with a damp cloth, then dry. the work surface so that no water stains remain.

The tile itself doesn’t stain as easily as the grout – this area can become a haven for bacteria. Therefore, Ek advises cleaning grout with a bleach solution: add three quarts of glass to five liters of water, then wipe the joints thoroughly with the solution. It is also worth applying silicone sealant to them to avoid stains.

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