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How to Clean Worktops

Cleaning your worktops or countertops might be a matter of concern, because your kitchen worktop passes through a lot. As a result, it requires regular attention or cleaning in order to keep it neat and good looking all the time. Even though they are made of hard wearing surfaces, stains from edibles, heat, grease, spills and decolourisation take their turns on top of your kitchen worktop. Hence, you need to know how to clean your kitchen worktop.

In addition, not all kitchen worktops require the same care. It is important to understand what type of care and treatment or cleaning method your kitchen worktop needs.

To always do a simple and quick cleaning daily on your worktop to avoid build up of dirties and stains is the best approach in caring for your worktops.

This article will show you how you can clean stains or heat marks on your kitchen worktops, cover burnt areas and also know the reason why they are changing colour.

How can I get a free smear worktop?

Though some worktops can be smooth and easy to clean, they can be hard to keep free from irritating water marks, streaks and stains. In an attempt to ensure that the surface of a worktop is free from marks, some people turn to chemicals that dry without leaving marks or streaks. These chemicals sometimes have high content of acid which can damage the worktop as time goes on. Therefore, the use of harmful chemicals to clean your worktops is highly discouraged.

It is also good to use wet cloth to clean your worktop without fear of damaging them. Unlike wood worktops, quartz worktops will not absorb the liquid spilled on them for cleansing. Therefore, damp cloth, surface wipes and wet sponge can be used.

To get a smear and streak free worktop, the use of microfibre cloth to clean it is also a welcomed Idea. They remove any water which can cause marks and buff the surface.

For any type of wet cloth or sponge you used to clean the worktop to make it sterile, you should wipe down the surface with already dry cloth.

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How do you remove tea stains from worktop?

The ideal way to tackle tea or coffee stains is to wipe them out immediately, but if staining has started already, it can be removed by applying a paste of baking soda and water. Allow the paste to stay for a few minutes, let us say 5 or 6 minutes. Then, gently rub the stains with sponge or soft cloth until they are removed.

For worktops made of granite and marble which absorb stains a little more than others, cover the baking soda paste with a plastic wrap and leave it to stay overnight before washing it off. 

Worktops made of wood will allow stains to be cleansed off them. Salts can be sprinkled on top of the worktop using half a lemon to rub it into the worktop after which it will be rinsed with water and vinegar. This method may not be suitable for all types of worktop because lemon and vinegar can damage certain materials.

How do you remove heat marks from kitchen worktops?

Removing heat marks from a worktop can be very tricky. They can range from light scorching to severely darkened spots. The likelihood of removing all the heat marks depends on the severity and not minding whether they are caused by hot pans or curling iron. But if the heat mark goes so deep that it penetrates the worktop material, then it is Ideal to cover it up properly or replace it.

There are several methods for removing a heat mark on the kitchen worktop. You will begin by 

  1. Using a soft cloth and soap to remove any discolouration from the surface.
  2. Apply a layer of white toothpaste on the scorch mark and allow it to stay for several minutes
  3. Scrub the area lightly with a toothbrush or scrub brush.
  4. Wipe the affected area clean with a soft cloth and water
  5. If the stain remains, apply some soft scrub with the cloth and allow it to stay for several minutes
  6. Scrub the area again with a scrub brush or toothbrush.
  7. Repeat continuously until the mark is removed. 

Another method through which the heat marks can be removed is by the use of baking soda following the same process as above.

However, for some solid surfaces, sandpaper can be used with a soft brush, cleaner for specific types of worktop, water and polish to clean them. In general, the sanding method can also be used.

There are also companies offering the services of cleaning your worktops. They can be contacted to remove heat marks from your worktop if you can not do it yourself.

If the marks can not be removed after applying the above mentioned methods, it is evident that the heat mark penetrated the surface. In this case, the affected section will be covered up or replaced.

How do you cover a burnt worktop?

When a burnt mark on a kitchen worktop can not be removed, then covering it up or replacing it is the next option.

We are going to look at some ways on how you can cover up your burnt kitchen worktop.

  1. Consider placing a permanent hot pad over the burnt area of your kitchen worktop. Take four tiles that coordinate with your worktop surface and use adhesive to make a square on top of the burn. Apply grout between them to create a perfect spot where you can keep hot pots and pans.
  2. If the burnt part on top of the kitchen worktop is large, cover the area with a cutting board and make it your new work station.
  3. Decorative decals can be purchased from a craft supply store and can be easily attached with the adhesive backing. Alternatively, a sheet of the laminate adhesive can be purchased and put on top of the surface.

How do you get yellow stains out of white countertops?

A cleaning solution has to be created which will contain two tablespoons of white vinegar, a tablespoon of baking soda and one cup of warm water. The mixture will be shaken thoroughly and then be applied on the affected area. Allow it to stay for half an hour before scrubbing it with a scouring pad.

Alternatively, deep a clean cloth or towel into a bowl of hydrogen peroxide. Rinse out excess liquid from the cloth or towel and damp it on the surface. Wipe the yellow stain with the hydrogen peroxide soaked cloth or towel and let the air dry.

How do you get turmeric stains off a worktop?

Turmeric stains can be difficult to remove if they are allowed to stay long and dry on top of your countertop. The first approach to cleaning turmeric stains is by immediately removing them once they drop on your countertop.

To remove turmeric stains in a workshop, make a mixture of baking soda and water to form a paste. Then scrub the paste on top of the stains and wash it away with hot water.

Alternatively, the stain can be blotted with a mixture of white vinegar, warm water and soap.

In addition, make a paste with some baking soda and vinegar and apply it to the stain. Let it stay for several minutes and then scrub it away gently.

The use of Mr. Clean magic eraser is another way you can use to get turmeric stains off your worktop. This is done by applying the eraser gently on the area until the stains are removed. Do not forget that a magic eraser is a very fine sandpaper, so you do not have to apply them vigorously so that they will not remove the gloss of your worktop.

The Bar Keeper’s friend powder is another substance that can be used to clean turmeric stains. This is done by sprinkling the powder on a damp rag and scrub on the area.

Why is my white counter turning yellow?

The main reason why your countertop is turning yellow can be as a result of wear and tear mostly on a marble countertop. Heat and moisture can as well be a contributing factor.

Experience has also shown that the use of improper cleaning materials like bleach can turn your white countertop to yellow colour.

How do you get stains out of white countertops?

To get stains out of your white countertops, you need to do the following

Make a paste with baking soda and water and apply it on the affected area, then allow it to stay for five minutes and then wash it away with soft cloth.

Alternatively, you can still make a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda to form a paste. Allow it to stay overnight and wipe it off with a towel or cloth the next morning.

Does lemon juice damage quartz?

Quartz will resist permanent stains when exposed to liquids like tea, lemon juice, wine, soda, fruits, vegetables and vinegar. However, it is important to immediately wipe the liquids off the surface of the worktop before they dry on them.

Nevertheless, quartz worktops can be affected by extreme heat. The best practice in protecting your quartz worktops is by using hot pads, cutting boards or trivets in-between them and your hot kitchen tools. This will save your worktop from being damaged by extreme heat.

More so, avoid keeping items like permanent marker, bleach, sharp objects, very hot objects, polish, wax, solvents, chemicals, cooking grease and high pH cleaners on top of the worktop. Materials that have the tendency to chip and scratch are not an exception in this case.

Worktops made of quartz can be cleaned using warm soapy water with a sponge or soft cloth which is similar to what you use in washing your dishes.

If the stain is stubborn, you can add a little surface cleaner or antibacterial detergents. When it is necessary, dry the worktop surface with a microfibre cloth and finish off with a spray of glass cleaner to prevent streaks.

Notably, many common cleaning materials contain citric acid and other substances with high alkaline content. They should not be used on your quartz worktop. Harsh acidic cleaners like lemon, lime, vinegar can weaken the sealant of the worktop over time which can make the surface more prone to staining.

The use of lemon juice when combined with other cleaning materials work wonders at removing very tough stains.

Conclusion

Having learnt from the answers given to the questions on this topic, it can be guaranteed that a maximum care will be given to your countertop in order to avoid issues such as; burnt worktops, stained countertops, decolourisation and its general maintenance.

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