How to Clean Kitchen Counter Tops

Kitchen counter tops are among the most frequently used areas of a home. Keeping kitchen counters clean can be a daily battle for even the best of housekeepers. How you clean your kitchen counter tops depends on what kind of counter you have. Popular materials used in modern kitchens include granite, quartz, solid surface, ceramic tile, and laminate. No matter which kind of counters you have in your kitchen, there is a way to clean up the mess and keep your kitchen looking beautiful.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Clean, soft cloth
• Mild dish soap
• Warm water
• Granite counter top cleaner
• Household cleaners
• Sponge
• Soft-bristled toothbrush
• Nylon bristled brush

1. Granite Kitchen Counter Top

   Use a special granite counter top cleaner and a soft cloth to remove dirt from granite counters. In between heavier cleanings, mild soap and water can be used to keep the counter tops clean.

2. Clean quartz counter tops with a mixture of mild soap and water. You can also use certain common household cleaners, like Windex, to remove dirt and residue from the counter tops, provided they are non-abrasive and do not contain bleach.

3. Clean solid surface counter tops, including DuPont™ Corian®, with a mixture of mild, soapy water. Many types of household cleaners, including those with ammonia, can also be used to keep solid surface counter tops clean.

4. Ceramic Tile Kitchen Counter Top

   Wipe up dirt and spills from ceramic counter tops using a mild dish detergent, warm water and a sponge. To clean the grout, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a mild dish detergent diluted in water.

5. Use a low-abrasion cleaner or mild soap and water to clean laminate counter tops. For tougher cleaning jobs, use a non-bleach detergent and a nylon bristle brush to gently scrub away any surface dirt.

Tips & Warnings

• Always wipe kitchen counter tops dry after cleaning. When in doubt, check with the manufacturer of your counter tops to find out what type of cleaning solution they recommend. Be sure to remove all traces of soap from granite counter tops, as this can dull the finish. To remove tough stains from laminate counter tops, mix a paste of baking soda and water. Gently rub it into the stain and rinse with water.

• Abrasive cleaners should not be used on many types of stone counter tops to avoid damaging the finish. When cleaning granite counter tops, do not use any cleaner not specifically designed for stone; this can dull your counter tops. Do not use cleaners containing bleach on laminate counter tops.

References

• Laminated Kitchen Countertops
• Caring For & Cleaning Quartz Countertops
• Caring for DuPont™ Corian®