One of the most important and transformative elements of a kitchen is without a doubt the countertops. There are many different materials to use for kitchen counters, all of which need special care and specific cleaning methods to maintain their brilliance and quality for the length of their lives. This blog details methods that can be used to clean several of the most popular kitchen counter materials.

With all of the advice in this blog, we should mention that your vendor and your contractor should have particular maintenance instructions based on the specifications and selections you chose in your remodel. Feel free to ask for them if not provided already.

Marble, Quartz, and Granite Countertops

While these three materials have fundamental differences in their composition and their necessary maintenance, they can be cleaned in a similar way on a daily basis. Mild dish soap and water can be sprayed onto the surfaces of marble, granite, and quartz countertops and removed with a microfiber cloth to keep the stone’s shine intact. Avoid harsh, acidic cleaners as they can etch the material.

Stainless Steel Countertops

Stainless steel countertops can also be cleaned with mild soap and water on a daily basis. For more thorough cleaning jobs, consider a brush with plastic bristles and some baking soda. On a maintenance note, stainless steel countertops are very tough but prone to scratching and fingerprints. You can counteract this by polishing the material with oil or polish along with the grain.

Butcher Block

To keep your wooden countertops in their best condition, clean daily with a mix of warm water and a small amount of white vinegar. Any stuck-on food stains can be gently scrubbed off with a spatula. Wood countertops necessitate a complete dry after cleaning, so make sure you dry thoroughly with a cloth after cleaning.

Soapstone

Soapstone can be fairly easy to clean, all you need is a bit of soapy water and a cloth. It’s also worth noting that soapstone is nonporous, which means bacteria doesn’t have the opportunity to collect in small pores of the material. This is why soapstone is an excellent choice for kitchen countertops.

Laminate

Laminate counters are notoriously low maintenance. Soapy water and a non-abrasive sponge will do for daily cleaning. You can use baking soda on top of particularly tricky stains to act as a gentle scrubber. Avoid using too-harsh cleaners like bleach as it can etch the material, and when cleaning with mildly soapy water, be careful not to get too much water around the seams of the laminate.

Does your kitchen countertop match your style and complete your cooking space? Check out some of the spectacular kitchens from the OJ project gallery below:

How to Keep Your New Countertops Looking Their Best