Making Sure Your Kitchen Counters Last as Long as Possible
Installing new kitchen countertops in your home is a huge investment, especially if you’ve chosen a high-end material. Because you’ve spent so much money on your counters, you want to be sure that they last as long as possible, which can seem an uphill battle since your counters are exposed to the most wear and tear of any of your kitchen features.
Fortunately, extending the lifespan of your countertops isn’t as difficult as you might first imagine, particularly if you have the right plan of action. Here are a few ways that you can keep kitchen counters looking great so that you won’t have to worry about spending money on repairs or replacement.
Invest in a Durable Material
If you want to extend the life of your kitchen countertops, your work must begin before you even have your counters installed. When you’re choosing your new counters, you should be sure to choose the most durable option available if you want them to last years, and possibly decades, to come.
Natural stone, such as granite, can be an excellent choice when it comes to durability, especially if you plan to use your counters as a daily workspace. Prior to your installation, have a home remodeling professional help you choose a tough kitchen counter option that will stand up to your everyday needs.
Stick to a Cleaning Routine
In most homes, kitchen counters are the focal point of daily life. Not only will you prepare meals on your counters, they can also be a hosting spot and the place where your children do their homework or tackle art projects. Because your counters are constantly in use, they’re subject to a lot of spills and splashes, and if they aren’t cleaned in a timely manner, it can cause big damage to your kitchen.
The best way to keep kitchen counters looking great is to adopt and stick to a regular cleaning routine. Cleaning your counters on a daily basis will help to prevent staining and will also allow you to detect minor forms of damage so that they can be quickly fixed before they become major problems.
Use Gentle Products
While regular cleaning is the best way to preserve the look of your kitchen counters, you need to be sure that you’re cleaning your counters the right way. For instance, if you use the wrong cleaning products, you may end up doing a great deal of harm to your countertops, and in some cases, may damage them beyond repair.
Before you clean your counters, you should see if the counter manufacturer offers any maintenance recommendations. The manufacturer will likely have tips for what types of cleaning products you can safely use on your counters. Using the right products will make sure that your kitchen countertops always look and function their best.
Similarly, you should avoid exposing your countertops to harsh chemicals. In addition to caustic cleaning solutions, you should make sure that common items such as varnish and paint thinner don’t spill on your counters. Even durable materials such as granite and quartz can be damaged by these caustic materials.
Work With the Right Tools
Many homeowners that invest in high-quality countertops have visions of creating sophisticated, delicious meals that will be the talk of the neighborhood. If you plan to use your countertops for your culinary projects, it’s important to take a few precautions so that you don’t end up accidentally damaging your counters.
Almost every countertop material, for example, can be scratched, which means that you have to be very careful when cutting up ingredients for a meal. Anytime you need to chop, slice or dice vegetables, make sure to use a cutting board. While it can be tempting to cut directly on your counter out of ease, this is virtually guaranteed to cause damage that could require expensive repairs.
Eliminate Excessive Weight
Another way that you can extend the lifespan of your counters is to make sure that you’re not putting too much weight on them. Granite countertops, for instance, can crack if they are continuously exposed to excessive weight, and when this occurs, you’ll need to replace your counters, as repairs generally won’t be possible.
For starters, make sure that you aren’t using your countertops as storage space. While you can certainly keep some items on your counters, such as your microwave or coffee maker, you shouldn’t keep heavier items on your counter long-term. The longer excessive weight is on your counters, the greater the chances for cracking.
It’s also important that you never stand or sit on your countertops. Although it’s common to use your counters to give yourself a boost to reach items on your top cabinet shelves, you should resist this impulse, as it will put a great deal of strain on your counters.
Don’t Ignore Regularly Scheduled Maintenance
Depending on the type of counters you’ve installed in your home, there may be some regular maintenance in which you’ve engaged. Granite countertops, for instance, may need to be periodically sealed to extend their lifespan and preserve their appearance.
Over time, the sealant on your granite counters will wear away, and when it does, your counters will be much more vulnerable to stains. This sealant also gives your counters a sleek appearance. If you notice that your countertops are starting to look a little dull, then it’s likely time for them to be resealed. Generally, your counters will need new sealant every three years, although you should refer to your manufacturer for a specific schedule.
Replace Your Counters
If you follow these easy tips, you should be able to keep kitchen counters looking great for years to come. Eventually, however, you will need to install new counters in your home, and if you’re thinking about a countertop upgrade, you should consult with the kitchen experts at Kitchen Solvers. And be sure to check out our article, The Pros and Cons of Five Popular Countertops and our blog Pros and Cons of Different Countertop Materials for more information on countertop options.
At Kitchen Solvers, our goal is helping you create the kitchen of your dreams, and whether you want new counters or are thinking about a full remodel, we can help you. Drop by a location near you so that we can tell you about your different kitchen counter options and give you advice for making sure that they last as long as possible.
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