Since the kitchen is where mothers slave away in, the countertops there should probably be all worn out and used up. Well, what can you really expect when these pseudo table are where most of the food you eat is prepared. Not only this, the countertop serves many other purposes such as a convenient platform to temporarily place your groceries and dishes on not to mention permanently position some of your favorite cooking hardware as well. Since these countertops are constantly barraged with high traffic and usage, you will begin to see stains, dirt, grime, and the like beginning to amass on them. All these undesirable elements contain germs and bacteria that you really don’t want spreading into the food you eat. These being said, you will want to regularly clean your kitchen countertops and here are some tips on how to successfully do it and make it a habit.
- Determine the countertop surface. While most countertops are made of different materials that does not require specific cleaning agents and procedures, some do. This will typically be determined by the type of surface your countertop uses. For instance, if you are using marble or granite countertops, then the typical and traditional way of cleaning using the common cleansers and cleaning solutions is the proper way of doing it. On the other hand, if your countertop utilizes vinyl or leather or even wood, then there may be specific instructions on how to keep this type of surface clean.
- Use a damp cloth. Dampen a piece of clean cloth with water and start wiping the countertop to remove the various debris, food, crumbs, and spill, off of it. This should be done immediately after use in order to prevent staining and damage. This should be the start of your regular cleaning habit.
- Use a soapy solution. Wiping the countertop may not be enough to remove certain stains wedged onto the surface. For this task, you will need a homegrown cleaning agent composed of dishwashing detergent and warm water. Mix it in a bowl and soak a sponge in it. Wring the sponge and start scrubbing the countertop. Pay close attention to the stained area during your cleaning run. Keep scrubbing until the stain is gone. If the stain is stubborn, then consider drying the area and scrubbing white vinegar on it to agitate the molecules latching onto the countertop. In any case, dry the countertop after the wash by rinsing the area with clean and warm water. Leave the countertop a little moist for the next step in the process.
- Use baking soda. While the countertop is still somewhat wet, apply a thin layer of baking soda. Let it sit for several minutes before wiping the powder away. This will absorb the stain and even deodorize the area.
Some surfaces may be more resilient than others. These surfaces may withstand more abrasive cleaners that are commonly sold in various home product and hardware supply stores. Consider using these should you surface be of the hard and synthetic kind.
Add comment