Understand the proper way to care for your countertops
Any home, condo, townhouse, etc., that you go to has countertops that get used regularly, and proper countertop care and maintenance are essential since countertops are one of the most widely used surfaces in a home.
Taking care of them properly is crucial. Think about it, countertops get used daily when you are getting ready in the morning, making breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and honestly, throughout the day. Here are some helpful care tips, maintenance tips, and important dos and don'ts for effective countertop care and long-term countertop maintenance.
We highly recommend having your countertops, especially natural stone and tile and grout ones, cleaned and sealed regularly by a professional. This is especially important for natural stone countertops, including granite countertops, marble countertops, and soapstone countertops, since these porous surfaces can absorb liquids and need to be sealed to prevent staining and minimize staining over time.
When you have a professional clean your countertops, you get a deep, thorough cleaning every time. This level of proper care supports long-term regular maintenance and helps keep surfaces looking their best.
Understanding the benefits of countertop cleaning and sealing can help you maintain a more hygienic home environment.
The process we professionals use is a high-heat, high-pressure system that pulls all the dirt, grime, residue, and so much more off and out of your countertops. Sealing countertops regularly helps protect them from substances seeping in and causing potential bacterial growth, especially from acidic substances like lemon juice.
Take your kitchen countertops, for example. Yes, many of us use cutting boards and things to keep our food from directly touching them, but stuff still gets places.
You are prepping veggies, fruits, meats, and so much more on the countertops at every meal, sometimes even using sharp utensils, so it’s important to avoid scratching the surface.
If your countertops aren't sealed, bacteria and other things can grow on the surface that you can't see. Sealing helps stop these different juices and liquids from seeping into the countertops.
For those with stone in high-moisture areas, sealing your stone tile shower is just as vital as protecting your kitchen surfaces to prevent mold and mildew.
Different countertop options, such as engineered stone, quartz countertops, and solid surface materials, are often non-porous or have a non-porous surface, making them more stain-resistant and generally low maintenance compared to traditional stone countertops, and unlike granite, they may not always require sealing.
If your stone has lost its luster, you might consider whether to replace or restore your tile and stone rather than investing in a costly replacement.
When you clean your countertops in between professional cleanings, we suggest using non-abrasive or acidic cleaners. Avoid using harsh chemicals, acidic cleaners, or products that use harsh chemicals, as well as abrasive cleaners, abrasive materials, abrasive pads, or abrasive scrubbers, since these can damage the finish and sealer.
Soapy water is the best because it is the most gentle on the sealers, but if you are anything like me, you like to disinfect your countertops, especially after handling meat.
To avoid common pitfalls, review our pro tips for cleaning travertine and stone, which outline essential do's and don'ts for homeowners.
Use warm water with a few drops of dish soap, mild dish soap, or a mild detergent. A mild cleaner, mild soap, or a specialized stone soap can also be effective for regular cleaning and daily cleaning.
For best results, wipe surfaces using a soft cloth, damp cloth, or soft towel, and dry with a paper towel if needed. Always clean regularly to maintain a hygienic surface.
The best cleaners to use on countertops are low PH ones. We highly recommend Crystal Clean by Stone Pro. This cleaner does a thorough cleaning and helps prolong the life of the sealer.
You can find more details on why this is the best product for travertine and stone cleaning in our dedicated product guide. This cleaner is also excellent for your stone and tile floors, ensuring a streak-free finish that is safe for the sealers we apply.
You can buy Crystal Clean on Amazon in the concentrate or the premixed spray bottles. This cleaner is also excellent for your stone and tile floors. It is easy to use and safe for the sealers we apply.
Clean your countertops often. This is especially true for the kitchen. After preparing food or cutting fruits and vegetables, wipe down your countertops thoroughly and clean up spills immediately to avoid long-term damage.
This will remove any acidic products that could deteriorate your sealer more quickly. Remember to avoid acidic cleaners when dealing with spills.
If you get oil spills, wipe them up with soapy water quickly, so they do not seep into the stone. Once it seeps too far into a stone countertop, oil can be very hard, even for professionals, to remove.
If your grout lines are starting to show their age alongside your countertops, it may be time to debunk some myths about tile and grout maintenance to keep your whole kitchen looking new.
Always use trivets or hot pads, or use trivets or hot surface protection when placing hot pots and pans on your countertops, as high heat can cause damage such as cracks or burn marks, even on surfaces considered highly durable.
For bathrooms, you do not have as much to worry about. Surfaces like quartz bathroom counters are easier to maintain, but you should still wipe water away regularly. For quartz, be sure to clean quartz countertops with appropriate products.
If you need a more in-depth guide for your bathroom surfaces, see our expert tips on cleaning tile and grout.
After you brush your teeth or wash your hands, try to wipe the excess water or residue up to help the sealer from potentially breaking down. Use a soft cloth and, if needed, gently scrape away buildup carefully without damaging the finish.
Little things like drying off your countertops do wonders for the overall longevity of the sealers and the look of the countertops. Applying mineral oil occasionally to certain surfaces can also enhance appearance and protection.
These are just a couple of recommendations as to how to keep your countertops sanitary and fresh as long as possible. For more information, feel free to reach out to us anytime. We specialize in natural stone cleaning, sealing, restoration, and tile and grout service. Check out our website at www.travertinecleaningaz.com or give us a call anytime at 480-352-2987. We hope this has given you some ideas as to how to keep your countertops healthier and cleaner.
Experience: 27 Years
Industry: Natural Stone, Tile and Grout Cleaning and Restoration
Cody has been in the Natural Stone, Tile and Grout service for 27 years, his knowledge and experience in this field helps get your job done correct the first time. If there is anyone you want on your job site it's Cody.
Location: Serving the Phoenix metro area
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