This time of year, your kitchen becomes the star of the show. Between the cookie baking marathons and the festive party preparations, your beautiful countertops will be working double duty to accommodate all that holiday cheer. And let’s not forget about your bathroom surfaces—which may be in for a shock when friends and family come to visit.
Here are 6 quick tips for caring for your countertops before, during and after the holidays:
1. Safeguard Your Stone
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Countertops made of natural stone such as granite, limestone and marble are popular because of their beauty and natural durability. However, they still benefit from a little TLC. Seal your stone surfaces to prevent them from staining, and wipe up spills immediately to keep liquids from penetrating the surface.
2. Always Use a Cutting Board
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Beautiful countertops are made to stay that way. In the kitchen, always use a cutting board when preparing food. Cutting directly on the stone surface can scratch and dull your countertops, and bacteria from cutting meat can seep into the stone.
3. A Little Soap and Water Go a Long Way
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Using standard chemical cleaners may strip the seal on your countertops and expose the porous surface of the stone. For everyday cleaning, use mild soap and water to help keep your countertops free of grime and preserve their luster. A non-abrasive cleaner or countertop-friendly wipes may be used for stubborn stains. Always rinse with clean water after using any cleaning product.
4. It’s All in the Wrist
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When cleaning your kitchen countertops and bathroom countertops, try to remember to wipe in a circular motion. This will help prevent dulling the stone and will preserve its luster.
5. Be Gentle with Your Surfaces
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Avoid excessive force or thermal shock (extreme heat or cold) to keep your countertops looking their best. Gently lay down heavier items such as pots and pans, and keep hot pads or trivets handy in the kitchen for supporting hot dishes. In the bathroom, be careful with blow dryers, flat irons and other heated appliances.
6. The Best Way to Get Rid of Goop
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Once the holiday hustle and bustle has cleared, do a thorough survey of countertops. For any dried, stuck-on spills or goopy toothpaste globs you may have missed, use a plastic putty knife to get them up instead of a knife or abrasive pad.
Enjoy Beautiful Countertops from One Season to the Next
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Our countertops endure a lot. Making sure we take good care of them can help them stay beautiful from one season to the next. Not sure which countertop style is right for your home? Just ask the experts at Primera! We can help you determine which materials will best fit your lifestyle.
