OVERVIEW on Kitchen Countertops:
The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in your home, and the right choice for kitchen countertops is key to the successful execution and ongoing use of the space. Now more than ever, you can choose from a diverse range of kitchen counter materials. For each aspect of home design and remodeling you can also strive to make choices that are 1) Functional, 2) Stylish, 3) Cost-Effective, and 4) Environmentally Sustainable. These are the four key guiding principles in the GREENandSAVE strategy. You will find that in certain cases, one or two of the criteria take precedent over others. However, as you review the home improvement options that are right for your home, you may be surprised to learn that reaching all four is more achievable than you thought.
Selection Tip: In choosing a kitchen countertop material make sure to think through its integration with your kitchen cabinets, appliances, and the backsplash that will work best for your design and installation. Solid surface and natural stone materials typically need to be precut prior to installation versus tiles that can be cut and set right on the job site. Kitchen countertop backsplashes sometimes look great when they match the countertop material, but you can alternatively enhance the countertop material by choosing a different tile to run from the top edge of the counter all of the way up to the underside of the head cabinet. If you decide on the tiles, also take care in choosing the right color grout and look for new tile grouts that are stain resistant.
DETAILS on Ceramic Countertop Maintenance:
You have to clean your ceramic tile countertop daily even if you do not use it. You have to do this especially when it has just been installed because the grout has not fully cured yet. Dirt can easily get in the grout mortar because it is still soft.
For regular cleaning, use a sponge and a mild cleaning agent such as Windex. You can also use dishwashing liquid to clean the tiles. Use one capful of dishwashing liquid for every gallon of water. Avoid tile cleaners that are acid-based because they can damage the tiles and cause them to fade. Make sure that you clean the grout joints properly using the soft sponge. You can a rougher sponge, the one that is used for pots and pans, for particles that are hard to take out.
Keeping your ceramic tile countertop dry: Always keep your ceramic tile countertop dry especially when it is not in use. Stagnant water can stain the ceramic tiles and cause them to whiten or fade. It can make mildew and fungi to develop on the surface. Use a clean, dry cloth to wipe the surface dry after washing and sponging the tiles. You can also caulk your ceramic countertops with silicon mildew resistant caulk.
Polishing your ceramic countertop dry: Do not use floor wax to polish your countertop tiles. It can stick to the surface and be difficult to remove. As long as your ceramic tile countertop is sealed and maintained properly, then it should remain looking polished and brilliant. You can also buff the ceramic tiles with a brush or a clean, dry towel to enhance their brilliance and reduce spotting.
Repairing your ceramic countertop: Your ceramic tile countertop can crack or chip when a heavy object falls with a high impact on the surface. Thankfully, damaged ceramic tiles can be repaired easily. You can isolate the problem, take out the damaged tiles, and replace them with new ones. You do not need to replace the whole countertop unlike with other countertop materials. You can use a grout saw to cut into the middle of the grout joints on all sides of the damaged tiles. With a masonry chisel, tap the weakest corner of the tile until it breaks free and remove it. This area serves as your starting point. Once you have removed the whole tile, you can easily replace it with the same ceramic tile design and size, and seal it with grout mortar.
GREEN Considerations:
When it comes to cleaning your countertop look for products that have ingredients that are not hazardous to humans or the earth. Many cleaners are now produced without phosphates, chorine, borates, phenol, ammonia, formaldehyde and nitrates Also look for cleaners that have low or zero volatile organic compounds, the chemicals that produce noxious toxins and air-pollution. Make your home the safest place in the world without sacrificing cleanliness. Finally, help save the environment by looking for concentrated cleaners so that we collectively reduce the shipping and transportation cost of moving heavier products that are pre-hydrated (just add water!). Overall, this new generation of concentrated, toxic-free, and biodegradable cleaning agents save the environment, you family's health, and your money.
Click here to see the range of top choices for environmentally friendly cleaners.
