Different Materials for Kitchen Worktops and How to Clean Them?

There are a variety of materials available for your kitchen worktops. They all possess unique properties and vulnerabilities. It is very important to know what kind of materials you can use to clean them without compromising the beauty and quality of the materials.

In this blog, we have described all the materials that can be used for the kitchen worktop. We have also explained step-by-step how they are cleaned.

Granite:

Granite is a naturally occurring stone which is scratch resistant and highly durable. Its natural and unique colours and patterns can add to the beauty of your kitchen. It is, however, very expensive and needs to be sealed properly and regularly to prevent staining.

How to Clean Granite Worktop:

These worktops should be cleaned immediately after work to sustain their shine and elegant look. You can follow these instructions whenever you are ready:

Take warm water in a bucket and mix some soap in it.
Use a microfibre cloth and dip it into the water.
Wipe all the stains from the granite with the microfibre.
Make sure you clean all the corners properly
Take a dry microfibre cloth and pat down the granite thoroughly to prevent water stains.
Do not use any abrasive cleaning material because it can cause it to lose its shine.

Quartz:

Quartz is manufactured using quartz crystals and resin. It is a non-porous and durable material with high scratch and stain resistance. It is highly expensive but provides a wide range of patterns and colours for selection.

How to Clean Quartz Worktop:

Mix hot water and mild soap in a container.
Wipe the whole surface clean with a towel or a micro cloth.
You can use glass cleaner to get rid of any stains as well.
Make sure you use a non-abrasive cloth or sponge for quartz worktops.

Marble:

Marble is a naturally occurring stone and provides a unique and elegant look to your kitchen. It is a highly durable and heat-resistant material. However, marble is a porous material which makes it highly vulnerable to stains and requires regular maintenance.

How to Clean Marble Worktops:

Mix some hot water and mild soap in a bowl.
Grab a sponge and dip it in hot water.
Wipe the worktop properly with the wet sponge.
Dry the marble surface using a microfibre or a towel.

Stainless Steel:

Stainless steel is a highly durable non-porous and hygienic material for kitchen worktops. It also provides high heat and stain resistance and is very easy to clean. However, stainless steel cannot provide resistance against scratches and is very noisy when used as a workspace.

How to Clean Stainless Steel Worktops:

Make a mixture of cleaning liquid and water in a bucket.
Take a soft sponge, dip it into the mixture and ring it out.
Wipe your kitchen worktop quickly and properly.
Take a piece of cloth and dry out your worktop.

Wood:

Wood worktops provide an elegant and mature look to your kitchen. They are durable and they can be refinished again after getting damaged or scratched. But they require regular maintenance like oiling or waxing to prevent water damage.

How to Clean Wood Worktops:

Make a solution of warm water and soap.
Dip a clean piece of cloth into the mixture.
Wipe the surface and clean it properly.
You can use light bleach as well for stains.
Dry the surface with a towel to prevent water stains.

Laminate:

Laminate materials are made of multiple layers of fabric or kraft paper which are bonded together under very high-pressure using resin. They are both affordable and durable materials and come in a variety of colours and patterns. However, they can be scratched easily and are less heat-resistant than other materials.

How to Clean Laminate Worktops:

Mix some soap into the water.
Grab a towel or sponge and dip it into the water.
Wipe the whole area of the worktop properly.
Take a towel and dry the surface.
Take warm water and vinegar spray and wipe the surface of your worktop.

Formica:

Formica is a laminate material used in kitchen worktops because it is durable and affordable. It is a non-porous material but is highly vulnerable to stains and requires regular cleaning. It also comes in many colours and patterns to choose from.

How to Clean Formica Worktops:

Mix white wine vinegar and baking soda.
Take a sponge and dip it in the mixture.
Gently apply the solution to the worktop and leave it there for 10-20 minutes.
Rinse the worktop properly and dry it out.

How to Get rid of Hard Stains?

Besides regular cleaning, sometimes you encounter some hard stains that won’t get cleaned. Many worktop cleaners are strong enough to wipe them clean, but there are some other tricks as well which can be very helpful. Following are some of the most common kitchen worktop stains and instructions about handling them:

Tea and Coffee Stains:

The most suitable option for this is to wipe it clean with water immediately after it is spilt. But, if the stains have set, here is a solution for you:

Mix water and baking soda and make a paste.
Apply this paste on the surface and leave it for a few minutes.
After that, rub the surface gently with a sponge or a towel and wipe it clean.
For porous materials like granite and marble, you may need to leave the paste for a few hours.
You can also use sprinkling salt and lemon for wooden surfaces.

Hard Water Stains:

It is better if you wipe the worktop dry after every use to prevent water stains from setting. But if you are too late then you can follow the following instructions:

You can use a mixture of white vinegar, water and baking soda.
Make a paste and apply it on the stains and follow the steps described previously.
You can also use bleach spray for certain materials.
If your surface is sensitive to acidic materials like granite, you can use water and baking soda solution.

Things to Consider Before Cleaning Worktops with Vinegar

What Can You Do:

You should use white vinegar because it is safe and anti-bacterial.
You can use vinegar daily to clean your worktop. It is safe to use even in its concentrated form.
You can combine different ingredients with vinegar to make a better and long-lasting cleaning agent.

What You Can’t Do:

Do not use vinegar to clean materials that are vulnerable to acid, like granite and marble.
Do not use vinegar to clean an eggs-based stain. Because it will render the stain even harder.
Using concentrated vinegar daily may make your kitchen stink a little.
Do not mix vinegar with bleach because the chemical reaction will cause the release of toxic chlorine gas which can cause skin and respiratory complications.