A kitchen benchtop or vanity top made out of many materials such as natural stone or engineered stone can be extremely durable and long-lasting if they are looked after well. It can be difficult to understand the ins and outs of how to properly take care of your vanity top or kitchen benchtop, although once you understand what is required – it is easy and time efficient.
Below are 5 tips on how to care for your vanity top or kitchen benchtop to keep it looking its best from using the most suitable materials and cleaning solutions, cleaning spills as soon as possible, avoiding direct heat and not keeping fragrances or substances on the surfaces where possible.
Tip 1: Use The Best Materials For Your Kitchen Benchtop Or Vanity Top
A soft cloth is the best material to use as it will not damage your surface. Using an abrasive cloth or scrubber can do more damage than good as it will wear away at your kitchen benchtop or vanity top and create scratches on the surface.
A warm soapy cloth is suitable for wiping down your benchtop, although a specific cleaning solution for your benchtop type is also suitable. Wiping over your benchtop regularly will ensure that any grime is wiped up, which will make it easy to wipe over your benchtop gently with a soft cloth.
Tip 2: Clean Any Spills As Soon As Possible
As it is unavoidable for spills to happen, it is recommended to wipe up any spills as soon as possible with a soft cloth and a mild soap. Certain substances that are highly acidic or rich in colour such as tomato sauce or red wine can penetrate through the surface which may result in etching and long-term staining. Preventing stains is recommended through utilising placemats and coasters as it will limit the chances of excessive spillages.
If you cannot remove the colouring and straining from your surface, it is recommended to utilise a poultice which is a white paste cleaner which is effective at removing stubborn stains.
It is recommended to blot away any spills before wiping down your surface. If the majority of the substance is not removed from your benchtop before you wipe it down, you may end up smearing the substance which can make the problem worse. For best results, blot away excess of the substance with paper, then wipe over the surface with a soft cloth as the left step.
Tip 3: Use The Best Suited Cleaning Solutions
Generally, warm water and a mild soap should be sufficient for cleaning bathroom or kitchen benchtops. When choosing a cleaning solution, it is recommended to use a cleaning solution specifically for natural stone which utilises a mild pH level.
It is important to be mindful of what products you are using on your benchtops and surfaces as some strong cleaning solutions contain chemicals that are not suitable and will cause damage to the external layers of your surface. It is best to ask your supplier or do research into the best product for your specific benchtop material.
Tip 4: Avoid Direct Heat On Your Surfaces
Natural stone is known for being durable and long-lasting, although this doesn’t mean you should put direct heat on top of your benchtop. It is recommended to not put hot pans or pots directly onto your surfaces as prolonged exposure to high temperatures can cause discolouration or staining of your benchtop.
Utilising hot plates, trivets or insulated mats are a great way of providing flexibility of where to place your hot pots and pans when cooking, whilst also protecting the look and longevity of your benchtop!
Tip 5: Don’t Keep Fragrances Or Substances On Your Surfaces
Some types of fragrances and creams or toothpastes can leave stains on your vanity benchtops from the ingredients in these products disrupting the natural coating of your surface. It is best to keep these products away in drawers and cupboards, or on a decorative holder on top of your vanity to avoid unnecessary spillage and possible staining.
Invest In Your Kitchen Benchtop Or Vanity Top Today!
Taking care of your kitchen benchtop or vanity top is important to keep its look and aesthetics looking its best, and for the quality and structure of the benchtop to be in its best state going forward.
Reach out to a reputable stonemason who can assist you in finding the best kitchen benchtop or vanity top for your space whether it is a natural stone or engineered stone – no matter the style, colour and design you are after.
