During the wintertime, many parts of your home needs some extra care. You and your family spend more time indoors, cooking comfort foods and even doing some holiday baking. If you have guests over, your kitchen will get even more use. Maintaining the integrity of your counter tops is an important part of your winter to-do list. These tips will help you to care for your kitchen counters.
Quartz and Granite
Quartz and granite are high-end counters that deserve regular attention to maintain their strength and natural beauty. Clean the counters daily with a damp, clean cloth and a mild detergent. Wipe any dark or acidic spills such as coffee, tea or wine immediately. For surface stains or stuck-on spots, use a surface cleaner and non-abrasive sponge. Sticky things such as gum or dough should be removed with a plastic putty knife. Avoid acidic cleaners like vinegar or alkaline cleaners such as drain cleaner. Seal the quartz and granite once per year with a silicone finish.
Concrete and Marble
Concrete and marble counters need regular sealing to maintain their integrity. A silicone sealant should be rubbed into the counter tops with a clean cotton cloth once every three months. Be sure to wipe any spills immediately and avoid cutting food directly on the surface of these porous materials.
Corian Counters
Corian is an engineered, trademarked product made by the Dupont company. It consists of alumina tri-hydrate and acrylic polymer and has a finish that can resemble stone. If your counters are made of Corian, use a mild detergent or a diluted ammonia solution to clean up spills. This same solution can be used once per week to remove dirt and grime so that it does not scratch the surface of the Corian. Polish the Corian with a semi-gloss once per month to maintain the strength of the exterior finish. Avoid placing any hot dishes or acidic items onto the Corian counters.