After installing a laminate countertop, it is important to take care of it properly. Laminate countertops are not as durable as granite or marble but are aesthetically pleasing, with lots of design options bringing great value to your kitchen. They are also budget-friendly.
Laminate countertops are made with a thin layer of plastic that is glued to particleboard or MDF. The top layer is a printed image that simulates the look of stone, wood, or tile. Because it is made of several layers glued together, it can be susceptible to peeling and chipping if not cared for properly.
Daily care for laminate countertops isn’t difficult. Follow these guidelines on the do’s and don’ts of laminate kitchen countertop care and your countertop will look great for years.
Do’s Of Laminate Countertops
1. Use a coaster for hot drinks and spills.
Be sure to use a coaster or trivet for hot and cold dishes and beverages. Coasters act as a barrier between your laminate countertop and heat or condensation at the bottom of your dish or drink. Without the coaster, you will have ugly watermarks and rings on your laminate countertop.
Water rings are formed when water from a cold beverage condenses on the countertop and soaks into the laminate. This can cause the laminate countertop to be stained or discolored.
Not only does the coaster prevents water rings, but it also prevents scratches from cups and glasses being placed on the countertop especially when you move your drink around a lot.
2. Regular cleaning with mild soap
Daily cleaning with mild soap and water will ensure that your laminate countertop stays bacteria and dirt-free. You don’t need any special cleaners, just use a little dish soap on a damp sponge or cloth to clean your laminate countertop. It is important that after each cleaning, you wipe the countertop dry with a clean towel.
3. Wipe spills quickly
When you notice a spill on your laminate countertop, wipe it up as soon as possible. The longer the spill sits on the laminate, the greater the chance of stains or damage.
Wine, tomato sauce, lemon juice, fruit juice, vinegar, tea, coffee, and other dark-colored liquids are particularly dangerous to laminate countertops because they can cause permanent staining.
Use a clean, dry cloth to soak up any liquid spills. If the spill is sticky, use a little mild soap on the cloth to help remove the sticky residue to keep the countertop’s appearance.
4. Use a cutting board when chopping food or other items
It is important to use a cutting board when chopping food or other items. A cutting board will protect your laminate countertop from getting scratched or chipped. The cutting board will serve as a barrier between your knives and the laminate countertop.
5. Place mats or trivets under metal and hot objects
To prevent your laminate countertop from being scratched and damaged, place mats or trivets under hot and metal objects. Heavy pots can scratch laminate countertops especially when it is dragged across the surface.
Hot pans can also damage laminate countertops. The heat from the pan can cause the laminate to warp. Place mats or trivets under vases, canisters, and other heavy objects that are sitting on your laminate countertop.
Don’ts Of Laminate Countertops
Now that we’ve gone over the do’s of laminate countertop care, let’s take a look at the don’ts. Just as there are certain things you should do to care for your laminate countertop, there are also certain things you should avoid doing.
Here are the don’ts of laminate countertop care:
1. Don’t use harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners
Just like caring for quartz countertops, laminate like any other material doesn’t play well with harsh chemicals and abrasive cleaners. Using harsh chemicals like oven cleaners to clean your laminate countertop can damage the laminate finish, making it more susceptible to scratches, staining, and peeling.
Stay away from any commercial products with acidic or any other heavy solvent in the ingredients list.
To clean your laminate countertop, stick to mild soap and water or a gentle all-purpose cleaner. For tough stains, you can make a paste of baking soda and water and use it to scrub the stain. Just be sure to rinse the baking soda paste off with clean water and dry the countertop afterward.
2. Don’t use abrasive cleaners
Abrasive cleaners can also damage the laminate finish and leave behind scratches. Never use scouring pads, steel wool, or any other abrasive scrubbing pads to clean your laminate countertop. These materials will scratch the surface of the laminate and leave it looking dull.
Use a soft cloth or sponge when cleaning your laminate countertop. If you need to scrub a stubborn stain such as dye stains on your countertop, use a little baking soda on the cloth or sponge. The baking soda will act as a gentle abrasive and won’t damage the laminate finish.
3. Don’t place hot objects directly on the laminate countertop
Hot pots, pans, dishes, and other hot objects can damage your laminate countertop. Laminate is made of layers of plastic and paper or particleboard, and it is not heat resistant. Exposure to heat or extreme temperatures can cause the laminate to warp or peel.
To protect your laminate countertop from heat damage, use a trivet or hot pad when placing hot objects on the countertop. Never place a hot pot or pan directly on the laminate surface.
If you accidentally place a hot pot or pan on the laminate countertop, quickly remove it and place it on a trivet or hot pad. The sooner you remove the heat source, the less damage it will cause.
4. Don’t place cold objects directly on the laminate countertop
Just as you should avoid placing hot objects on your laminate countertop, you should also avoid placing cold objects on the countertop. When you place a cold object that is below dew points such as cold drinks or cold water directly on the countertop, it condenses on the surface of the laminate. This will leave a puddle of water on the countertop that will discolor the laminate or cause rings to form if it is left for too long.
Sometimes the object can adhere to the laminate surface and when you try to remove it, it will pull up the laminate finish. To prevent this from happening, always use coasters or trivets when placing cold objects on your laminate countertop as indicated earlier in the do’s.
5. Do not flood the laminate countertop with water
When cleaning your laminate countertop, do not use too much water. Flooding the laminate countertop with water can lead to water seeping into the seams and edges of the countertop. This will cause the laminate to swell, discolor and detach from the base. If this continues, it will eventually warp the base wood
When cleaning your laminate countertop, wet a sponge or cloth with water and then wring it out so that it is only damp. This will help to prevent water damage.
6. Do not use sharp objects directly on the laminate countertop
Laminate countertops are not as strong or durable as stone or concrete countertops. You should avoid using sharp objects such as knives directly on the laminate surface. The knives can scratch or nick the laminate, leaving behind a permanent mark.
When using sharp objects on a laminate countertop, always use a cutting board or some other type of protection. Never cut or chop food directly on the laminate surface.
7. Avoid storing liquid on the surface that may leak and stain
You mustn’t store any liquids on the surface that may leak such as oils, vinegar, laundry detergent, and others. When they leak on the laminate, they can stain, discolor, and cause significant harm depending on the liquid’s strength.
To avoid this from happening, always store these liquids in containers with tight-fitting lids. If you do spill a liquid on the laminate, quickly clean it up so that it does not have a chance to soak in and cause damage.
8. Don’t stand on the countertop
Laminate countertops are not as strong or durable as stone or concrete countertops. They can break or crack if someone stands on them. Avoid standing on the laminate countertop to prevent this from happening.
You paid a lot of money for your laminate countertop and you don’t want to have to replace it because someone stood on it and cracked it.
If you need to stand on the laminate countertop, make sure where you are stepping is supported by the cabinets below. Do not stand in the middle of the countertop where there is no support. You should also utilize a step stool or a ladder to help you get on where you’re supposed to gently and carefully.
In conclusion, laminate kitchen cabinet care is not difficult if you follow these simple tips. Thanks for reading.