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How to Clean and Maintain Your Kitchen Countertops

Lowe's Editorial Team

By Lowe's Editorial Team
Published September 10, 2024

Keeping countertops clean is essential for a tidy kitchen. Whether they're wood, marble, or laminate, each type needs special care to look its best. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to clean countertops.

Tools and Materials

Tools

Materials

How to Clean Countertops by Material

Wood countertops

Wooden countertops bring character and warmth to a kitchen. Here are a few steps to keep them looking their best:

  • Daily Cleaning: In this case, use a damp microfiber cloth with a solution of mild dish soap on it. Avoid too much water on the wood as it may get damaged.
  • Removing Stains: For oil stains, food stains or juice stains, use a mixture of baking soda and water, which, when applied, creates a paste. Rub the paste over the stain, let it dry for 5 to 10 minutes, and then wash the area by rubbing with a sponge without applying much pressure.

Marble countertops

Marble countertops add a luxurious touch to your kitchen. Follow these steps to maintain their shine:

  • Daily Cleaning: To maintain the shine of your marble countertops, use a microfiber cloth with a mixture of warm water and mild dish soap. Avoid using vinegar, as it can etch and damage the marble surface.
  • Removing Stains: For hard stains like coffee or wine stains, prepare a mixture of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to form a paste. Rub it into the stain and cover with plastic and leave it for 24 hrs. Rinse the surface with water and remove the paste.

Tip

Some cleaning products used in the kitchen may have unpleasant smells, hence, the kitchen should be well-ventilated when applying the products.

Laminate countertops

Laminate countertops are durable and easy to maintain so here are a few tips on how to remove stains from laminate countertops.

  • Daily Cleaning: Wipe with a lint-free cloth, warm water, and mild dish soap. Do not use rough cleaning substances that may scratch the surface of the bumper.
  • Removing Stains: If the stains are tough, use baking soda and water to make a paste. Pour it on the stain and allow it to settle for some time. Then, scrub it softly with water and rinse thoroughly.

Maintenance of Countertops

Now that we’ve covered how to remove stains from the kitchen counter, let’s understand how to maintain them.

For wood countertops

Use olive oil or mineral oil and apply this mixture to the wood to moisturize it and protect it from drying out and losing its moisture content. This also aids in making it retain some luster.

For marble countertops

Sealing marble countertops once a year to keep them from getting easily stained and prevents liquids, oils from penetrating through the marble surface. Place coasters under glasses and mugs to prevent rings.

For laminate countertops

Do not put hot pots on the laminate countertop in order to prevent it from discoloration. Avoid cutting directly on the surface to prevent scratches.

Countertops that shine bright!

Clean and stain-free cooking top implies increased functionality of the entire kitchen area. Reading tips on how to clean countertops and following specific instructions for different materials helps keep your kitchen surfaces in top shape.

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