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 Formica Countertop Maintenance:
Do not use over-the-counter cleaners that contain strong acids (e.g. cleaners for tile, grout, ceramic stove tops, toilet bowls, etc.). We recommend using either Countertop Magic or Plexus as polishes you can put on your Solid Surface countertop to enhance the shine. You may also use Hope's Solid Surface Cleaner & Polish.
NORMAL CLEANING . LIGHT COLORS WITH A MATTE OR SATIN FINISH: Formica® Solid Surfacing is nonporous and can be easily wiped clean with a damp cloth or sponge and mild detergents or general purpose cleaner such as Mr. Clean® or Lestoil.® If you have a Matte finish, abrasive cleansers like Ajax® or Comet® may also be used. Periodically, it may also be helpful to go over the entire surface with an abrasive cleanser or a wet 7447 Scotch-Brite® pad (if Matte finish) or a wet 7448 Scotch-Brite® pad (if Satin finish) to maintain a uniform appearance. Rinse with water and towel dry.
NORMAL CLEANING . DARK COLORS WITH A SEMI-GLOSS OR GLOSS FINISH: Dark colors usually have a higher gloss than a Matte finish. Maintenance is generally limited to wiping with a mild detergent on a damp cloth and wiping dry.
SOME SIMPLE PRECAUTIONS: Do not place hot pans directly from the burner or oven on the countertop surface. Even though Formica® Solid Surfacing can withstand up to 175º F, prolonged or extreme heat could cause damage to the surface. A trivet should always be used under all heated appliances, such as crock pots, electric fry pans, coffee pots, etc. Extreme temperature swings should be avoided. When pouring hot water (from boiling pasta, potatoes, etc.) into sink, always run warm water to reduce temperature extremes.
Do not use your countertop as a cutting board. Although minor cuts and scratches on a matte finish can be repaired by the consumer, deep cuts and high gloss finished tops will require the service of a professional, which is an extra expense. (An extra piece of Formica® Solid Surfacing from your fabricator makes an excellent cutting board to protect your counter.) Do not stand or sit on your countertop.
SPILLS AND STAINS: While most everyday spills can be removed with the cleaning techniques listed, some troublesome spills and stains such as food dye, tea and fruit drinks may require more aggressive cleaning. These items can be removed using full strength bleach for two to five minutes, followed by a general cleaner and flushing with water. On Matte finish, if you prefer you can scrub with an abrasive cleanser.
Even nail polish can be removed with nail polish remover or an abrasive cleanser. Strong acids such as those found in drain, toilet bowl and oven cleaners should be used cautiously around Formica® Solid Surfacing. If these items are accidentally spilled, wipe them up at once and rinse with water. Some of these items, if left on the surface, may cause whitening, which can be difficult to remove.
Should a lighted cigarette accidentally come in contact with the surface, it could leave a nicotine stain or a scorch mark. Either of these can be removed by cleaning with an abrasive cleanser or buffing with a Scotch-Brite® pad.
REMOVING SCRATCHES: (not recommended for dark colors)
- Matte Finish: Sand with 220-grit sandpaper on sanding block. Use small circular motions until scratch is gone. Blend finish with an abrasive cleanser and a maroon 7447 Scotch-Brite® Pad.
- Satin Finish: Sand with 320-grit sandpaper on sanding block. Use small circular motions until the scratch is gone. Blend finish with Soft Scrub® Cleanser (or equivalent) and a gray 7448 Scotch-Brite® pad.
- Semi-Gloss Finish: Sand with 600-grit sandpaper on sanding block. Use small circular motions until the scratch is gone. Blend finish with a nonabrasive cleanser and a white 7445 Scotch-Brite® pad.
- Gloss Finish: Specialized tooling is required to achieve a high-gloss finish. Please contact your professional fabricator for assistance. Maintenance is limited to cleaning with mild detergents or nonabrasive countertop cleaners and a soft cloth.
Should the above maintenance steps create a variation in the surface finish, proceed with the final blending step over the entire countertop surface.
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.
