The countertop in your kitchen has a lot of uses, so it’s also one of the few places that gets a fair share of wear and tear. 

From spills to scratches, the countertop simply sees it all. With all these factors, it’s easy for its surface to lose shine and splendor, especially without the right maintenance. This ends up affecting how your entire kitchen looks. 

The great news is that there are several steps you can take to keep your countertop as good as new. However, these tips will entirely depend on its material. 

In order to make things easier for you, I have picked out some of the most common countertop materials and listed the recommended maintenance tips under each. Check them out here below! 

Wood 

In case you have a butcher’s block countertop, then you’ll need to apply mineral oil at least once a month to keep it as good as new. The oil is designed to keep the butcher block stain shiny and fade resistant.

If there are burns and marks on the wood, sand them out and follow that up by reapplying the sealant. Sealing butcher block countertops helps a lot to revitalize the wood. 

Cleaning your butcher’s block countertop should also be prioritized. Do this at least twice a week with a mixture of water, lemon juice, and hydrogen peroxide.

Quartz 

Quartz countertops are extremely durable. They are normally heat, stain, and even scratch-resistant. 

For this reason, they will serve you for a long time without any visible blemishes. Nonetheless, even with this durability, quartz still needs proper maintenance. 

The best way to keep your quartz countertop looking great for long is to clean it regularly. To remove spots and stubborn stains, apply a paste of flour and hydrogen peroxide on the countertop and let it sit for 24 hours. 

Wipe it clean with water the next day and rinse. This should leave the countertop looking clean and new.

Marble 

Marble is also a very popular countertop material. While it’s super elegant and somewhat luxurious, it requires more maintenance compared to other materials. Since it is a naturally porous material, it means that it’s more susceptible to etching. 

The great news is that there are specific marble maintenance products that you can use to keep your countertop looking fresh. 

For instance, specially made marble polish, locally found in most hardware stores, can go a long way in dealing with chemical corrosion. As for food stains and other spills, clean the marble with a mixture of ammonia and hydrogen peroxide.

Stainless Steel 

Stainless steel countertops are perhaps the most durable and easy to maintain. However, scratches in the kitchen are inevitable. 

Although a few blemishes are hardly noticeable on a stainless-steel countertop, if the scratches accumulate for far too long then they can become problematic. 

In any case, the best way to keep your stainless-steel countertop in great condition is by rubbing off the scratches with an abrasive pad. 

Remember: Don’t place any cast iron pans on your stainless steel countertop. Chances are it will leave a rusty stain that will need more time and effort to clean.

Laminate 

Laminate is also pretty good when it comes to resisting stains. However, there will always be a stubborn one to deal with. For those, simply use a mixture of baking soda and water to clean. Be sure to leave the mixture on the laminate kitchen countertops for at least 5 minutes for the best results. 

However, if the stain is too stubborn, you may need to take more decisive action. A solution of water and household bleach should easily remove any stain on your laminate countertop and leave it looking as good as new.

Keeping your kitchen countertop looking fresh and new is never easy. However, with regular maintenance, it can be achieved and the ideas above will help you out. 

Need some help to repair or refinish your kitchen countertop? Contact a local pro and request a free quote!