When it comes to all the surfaces in your home, whether they are stone, laminate, concrete, or another type of surface, you’ll want to keep them all brand new and long-lasting. There are certain precautions you can take to keep your surfaces looking great all the time.
Prevent Scratches
The most common thing that can happen to your surfaces is scratching, regardless of what the surface is made of. Make sure you use coasters under all glasses, dishes, and pots, as well as making sure you don’t drag anything along the surface. The use of mats under smaller appliances is a great idea to keep the surface from scratching as well.
Cleaning Surfaces
Whether your surface is stone, laminate, or tile, you’ll want to keep the surface clean because this helps it last longer. When you are cleaning your stone, make sure you are using specific cleaners that are made for stones or use warm water and mild dish detergent. For other types of surfaces, use a disinfectant or multipurpose cleaner with a damp cloth to clean the surface daily.
When you are cleaning surfaces in the bath such as showers or bathtubs, use a squeegee after each use to keep the scum from building up and causing mildew. Once a week, or as often as you would like to, use a foaming cleaner that will take away the germs and debris from the surface.
Vanity
Your bathroom vanities will be exposed to a lot of moisture and possible damage from water which is why it’s important to have the surface sealed and protected. There are certain fabricators that may recommend getting your vanities sealed with a penetrating sealer to add extra protection.
Food Prep Areas
This area is an area that needs to be sealed and taken care of with non-toxic cleaners that are safe for food. Make sure you keep up with the sealants, keep the area clean and use mats, cutting boards, and potholders to prevent any possible damage to the surface.
Stains
If a spill occurs, especially on surfaces that are more porous, do not wipe the spill into the surface. Carefully blot the spill with a paper towel and try and clean it up as fast as you can. If you let a spill sit and soak into the surface it might stain and be very difficult to get free. If there are any oil stains from cooking or cosmetics, you’ll want to clean it with a cleaner that has either bleach, detergent, ammonia, or acetone. Stains from food or drinks will typically wipe away relatively easy and need little to no work. Lastly, stains from metal can be very difficult to remove and could permanently stain the stone, so make sure you clean it up as fast as you can.
As long as you take the right precautions to ensure that your surface is taken care of and clean, your stone, tile, or laminate will look great for years without any major work or repairs needed. If you have any questions about ways to keep your surfaces clean and long-lasting don’t hesitate to give us a call as we can help with anything you need.
The Official Do and Don’ts
DO wash the surface as much as you can
DO clean up spills as much as you can
DO make sure you rinse the surface
DON’T use abrasive cleaners on surfaces to avoid damage
DON’T use cleaners that contain high amounts of acid
All of these are just general tips and tricks, of course, do as you are told by your manufacturers, wholesalers, and fabricators. You may think that you have all the knowledge you need in this matter, but there are always other things to know that some people may not know. If you have any questions, reach out to us and ask all the questions you could possibly have.