Are you looking for ways to keep that Quartz countertop looking brand-new? Have you recently installed a new countertop in your kitchen and want to keep it in top-tier condition? If so, then you’ll need a few kitchen countertop maintenance tips to do the trick.
Doing so can help you keep your kitchen functional and clean. Regardless of what delicious food or treats you prepare, you’ll be able to keep it looking spick and span.
See below for an in-depth guide on what regular countertop maintenance looks like. Prioritizing frequent maintenance will help prevent staining, as well as costly cleaning expenses or replacements.
1. The Power of Baking Soda
Among all the household remedies out there, baking soda just might take the cake (pun intended). Baking soda can be used for such things as healing sunburns, whitening your teeth, cleaning toilet bowls, and even improve your performance during exercise.
However, in this context, we’ll be using baking soda’s cleaning capabilities to keep those beautiful kitchen countertops looking young and vibrant.
Baking soda is especially handy for removing stains that you find on your countertops. Before you try spraying or scrubbing any other types of cleaning solutions on the stain, reach for the baking soda.
Start by mixing two parts of water and one part of baking soda into a bowl. Mix it up, then place it on top of the stain(s) you see on your countertops. Let the baking soda solution sit there for a few hours to slowly eat away at the stain. After that time has passed, wipe it up with a microfiber cloth.
For those of you that have quartz countertops, you’ll want to grab some glass cleaner and a sponge. Spray the glass cleaner, then rub it in gently with the sponge. Let sit, then wipe away with a microfiber cloth.
Speaking of, be sure to visit this page for a quartz vs quartzite countertops comparison, for those of you looking to install new countertops in your kitchen.
2. Consistent Cleaning
One of the best things that you can do to prioritize kitchen countertop maintenance is to keep a watchful eye. The moment that you notice a spill or a substance on the counter, be sure to clean it up.
Even though materials like quartz are relatively stain-resistant, leaving any substance on the surface for too long can result in a stain.
Contrary to popular belief, the countertop is used for a lot more than cooking. Families use them to write on, as well as perform household chores, family projects, and much more. As a result, some of the most common countertop stains include coffee stains, water spots, tomato juice stains, ink stains, and more.
Keep a clean rag and microfiber cloth in a spot that’s easy for your entire family to reach. Let them know how to properly clean the countertop in the case of a spill, then show them where the cloth is kept.
Like it or not, it’s going to take a team effort from you and your entire family to keep those countertops looking as fresh as can be.
3. Invest in Proper Cleaning Supplies
You wouldn’t show up to a gunfight without a gun. If you never take the time to load up on proper cleaning supplies, then you’ve already lost the war against your quartz kitchen countertops (or any other material).
Make sure that you invest in the proper countertop cleaning tools for your kitchen, such as:
- Baking Soda
- All-Purpose Cleaner
- Hand Towel
- Microfiber Cloth
- Sponge
- Dish Soap
- Surface Cleaner (Specific to your Countertop Material)
All of these supplies are partial to your countertops, but you’ll also want to purchase things for the rest of your kitchen, such as a broom, mop, vacuum, and squeegee. After all, the substances that cause staining on your countertops generally find their way to your floors and windows as well. Unfortunately, very few kitchen messes are kept contained.
4. Hire a Duct Cleaner
We bet you weren’t expecting to see this on a checklist of kitchen countertop maintenance. However, air quality is vastly important when it comes to protecting the cleanliness of your kitchen.
Without proper air duct cleaning, your entire HVAC system will collect considerable dust over time, which will result in dust landing on hard surfaces throughout your house, such as your kitchen countertops.
In some major cases, there might even be traces of black dust, which is especially common in homes that are newly built or recently renovated. These types of dust can cause discoloration of your surfaces if left unchecked. Hire a professional to ensure your air quality is perfect.
5. Don’t Go Overboard with Water
Whenever a surface needs to be cleaned, most homeowners are quick to use water as the solution. They run a rag under running water, then use it to scrub the surface.
However, depending on the material your countertops are made of, this can do more harm than good. Wood countertops might even begin to warp or rot, depending on the amount of water you use.
Instead, reach for a dry microfiber cloth whenever you can. If that doesn’t work, then get the cloth just a little damp and wipe at the stain once more.
Prioritize Strong Kitchen Countertop Maintenance in Your Home
Now that you have seen an in-depth guide on kitchen countertop maintenance and how to do it properly, be sure to use this to your advantage.
Start by gearing up with the proper countertop cleaning tools. In no time at all, you’ll find a rhythm and routine that you can stick with.
Be sure to browse our website for more articles on cleaning checklists, as well as many other topics that you will enjoy.
