How to Clean and Maintain Your Benchtop

There’s no doubt the image of a modern kitchen has changed. Previously, kitchen work took a considerable part of the day which included cooking, washing and preparing but it has now been revolutionised with the introduction of open-plan living and more functional areas that correspond and seamlessly blend with one another. It’s gone from a workshop to a room which people should feel good in, a room where people spend leisurely time in, so you obviously want it to look good.

But other than the day-to-day clean up, you should also be considering what types of materials you have in your kitchen and how they’re meant to be cared for. Especially its most used surface, your benchtops. Here’s a breakdown of the types of benchtop materials and tips on how to care for them.

• NATURAL STONE

For many, natural stone is the holy grail of kitchen materials so you want to make sure you look after it correctly. It’s high maintenance but the payoff is worth it. It is porous and soft by nature so anything acidic like citrus fruits can scratch the stone, and wine, tea, coffee and water can stain it. Don’t allow the natural stone to come into contact with substances with a ph of less than 7 like, as mentioned, wine, lemon juice, some liquid detergents, shampoo, harsh chemicals sold off the shelf and any products that contain chlorine. Don’t leave water to stand for prolonged periods of time and don’t allow prolonged contact with oil based products such as cooking oils, cosmetics or even milk. As a general rule of thumb, just don’t leave your benchtop messy.

Make sure you thoroughly rinse and dry the surface with clean, clear water and avoid using abrasive cleaners or scouring powders. Always use a designated chopping board for food preparation. Some people might think, ‘Hoorah! I can place my hot pan straight on the counter without it damaging it’, but this is a no-no. We highly recommend not placing hot items right off the stove or oven directly onto the stone surface. Your natural stone benchtop should have already been treated with a sealant to make it more resistant to staining but we recommend re-sealing every 12 months to help with its resistance. Avoid using standard, off-the-shelf, cleaning products, make sure you use a specialised natural stone care and maintenance product for your daily, ready to use cleaner.

• ENGINEERED STONE

Whilst a natural stone’s physical properties determine what you can do with it, engineered stone offers some versatility and is renowned for being a little more robust, low-maintenance and easy to care for but much like any product, a little TLC from time to time will help prolong its lifespan. Like natural stone, the general rule of thumb is to not leave your benchtops messy so if you see a spill, act fast to ensure it doesn’t leave a stain. You can clean your benchtop with a warm soapy cloth, ready-to-use surface wipes or use specialised products designed for engineered stone maintenance. After cleaning, buff with a clean, dry cloth.

There are a few things to be wary of that can stain your engineered stone faster than others such as turmeric, red wine, pumpkin, pasta sauce and tandoori paste. And like natural stone, avoid harsh products like bleach, nail polish remover, oil-based soaps or sprays, scourers and abrasive cleaners and hot pots or roasting trays. A good rule of thumb for hot items is that if your hand cannot tolerate the level of heat for a few seconds then neither can your bench top. Also, always prepare and cut food on an appropriate cutting board to avoid blunting your kitchen knives and damaging your benchtop surface. Natural and engineered stone is tough but not indestructible so your care and maintenance can go a long way with these products.

• LAMINATE

Laminate benchtops are a cheaper option that are easy to clean and maintain. For daily, simple cleaning, using a damp cloth with a mild liquid detergent and water combination will suffice. Avoid abrasives such as scourers and don’t cut food directly on the laminate. Keep waxes and polishes away as they can dull the natural shine and avoid using strongly acidic cleaners such as bleach. Always place hot items onto a cutting board or cork surface. In general, dark colours and high gloss surfaces require more care and maintenance then their lighter, low-sheen counterparts (no pun intended) but regardless, to avoid scratching the surface, always place and life objects from the surface and never drag or slide them.

If you do notice a stain that won’t budge, try Extra Strength Windex®, methylated spirits or dab the stain with a diluted bleach mixture, leave for 3 minutes and wash off with water and dry. Finish off with Extra Strength Windex®. Be careful though, these abrasive cleaners can irreversibly damage the laminate surface.

• TIMBER

A timber benchtop is an economical option that will never go out of fashion, its raw aesthetic is pleasing to the eye and can work with the style of any kitchen. Like natural stone, it is a one-off natural product so the proper care and maintenance is required. Washing countertops immediately after use and avoid contact with vinegar which is acidic enough to dissolve the glue holding the wood together. Opting for a resilient hardwood over a softer version that is more prone to damage will reward you in the long run. Make sure it’s sealed with a food grade product like mineral oil and re-oil regularly.

Being a softer surface than stone, laminate or metal, timber is kinder to fragile crockery, ideal as a food preparation surface and lower in cost. But we wouldn’t recommend cutting directly onto your timber benchtop, use an appropriate cutting board to avoid having to repair scratches.

For any stain removal, cut a fresh lemon in half and rub the stained area with the cut side, you can add a little salt for extra abrasion. If that still doesn’t work, you can try adding 1 tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide to a cup of warm water and dabbing it on the stain. Once the stain has been removed, simply use a sponge to wipe down the entire surface with a non-toxic cleaner and let dry. Then sand the surface (with the grain) thoroughly with 120 grit sandpaper and sand again with 180 grit sandpaper until the wood is smooth. Re-oil with food grade mineral oil and rub it in well with a cotton rag, allow the wood to soak in the oil for around 30 minutes. Wipe clean with a clean rag and enjoy! Being able to sand & re-oil your timber benchtop also comes in handy for removing scratches.

• METAL

Not your regular residential benchtop but in recent years, metal kitchen benches have stepped out of commercial kitchens and into the homes of busy families. With a real industrial vibe, it’s a pragmatic material with very low-maintenance. However, whilst highly durable and stain-proof, a metal benchtop will show streaks and fingerprints and can be easily scratched so always avoid cutting directly on its surface. Brushed steel is usually a good option if scratches are of high concern.

For a streak-free, shiny finish, wipe down the surface with water and soap using a microfiber cloth, sprinkle baking soda over the surface and pour a little bit of vinegar on, then use a non-abrasive nylon scrub brush to gently do a mild scrub. Rinse thoroughly with a clean, damp dish cloth and dry with a dish towel, paper towels or a clean microfiber cloth. You can polish it by adding a tiny amount of mineral oil to a clean cloth or paper towel and gently applying, buff away any excess with the dry side of the cloth – this helps to prevent fingerprints and makes your countertops shine.

• CONCRETE

Like marble, concrete has high impact and can really amplify the style of your kitchen. It’s resilient, edgy and a high end choice for renovators with a unique aesthetic. It’s heat-resistant and scratch-resistant and can be made to truly be one-of-a-kind. Due to its low tensile strength, it is limited in terms of thickness and overhangs which means it can crack and chip easily. It is a less-expensive option than natural stone, but the installation can be costly, requiring more installers and on-site labour.

Your concrete benchtop should already come applied with a high-end sealer which provides great resistance to stains but a wet cloth is recommended for stubborn stains and if needed, use a non-acidic and non-abrasive cleaner and rinse well with water. Avoid forceful scrubbing as this may result in a loss of shine and remove its protective sealer.

• ACRYLIC

Made completely from acrylic or an acrylic composite (natural mineral combined with acrylic), an acrylic benchtop is aesthetically pleasing and extremely easy to look after. They’re usually pre-fabricated with a design flexibility ranging from waterfall ends or curved edges. It is non-porous and incredibly hygienic as there are no cracks that can harbour bacteria. Your acrylic benchtop can be cleaned with warm water and a mild cleanser. It is heat resistant but avoid placing hot items directly onto its surface, the same goes for preparing food, as always, use a chopping board for safe measure.

If your acrylic benchtop does get scratched or damaged, it’s an easy repair. An abrasive cleaner can be used in combination with a special cleaning pad such as a scourer to buff out the damage or if it’s more serious, sandpaper can be used. Be careful though, acrylic in particular doesn’t tolerate abrasion too well so if you’re hesitant to make any repairs yourself, call a dedicated benchtop & joinery business to ask for advice.

With any type of benchtop, a little common sense can go a long way so wipe down as you go to prevent staining, use mild, non-acidic and non-abrasive cleansers, avoid exposure to heat and heavy objects, and always prepare food on cutting boards. Being proactive with the care and maintenance of your benchtops will save you a lot of time and money in the long run!

Click here to chat to one of our team members to begin your kitchen renovation journey today.