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 Stainless Steel Countertop Maintenance:
Despite the name, stainless-steel countertops can stain and become corroded. Household cleaning products that contain chlorides—such as bleach—will harm the countertop unless you can quickly and thoroughly rinse it off with clean water. Acidic foods left on stainless steel for long periods will stain the surface. For surface stains, use a cleanser such as Comet and scour in the same direction as the finish.
For general maintenance, clean a stainless-steel kitchen countertop with warm water and soap using a sponge or soft cloth. Rinse thoroughly with water and wipe dry to eliminate the possibility of water stains.
For scratches, use a nonabrasive pad, such as Scotch-Brite, and rub in the same direction as the finish. For certain custom finishes, there is no need to deal with scratches at all as the scratch blends in.
Scratches and Repair
Stainless-steel countertops are resilient, but they will age over time, says Jeff Subra, president of Eskay Metal Fabricating, Buffalo, N.Y. General use causes minor scratches as objects slide, rub, or get dropped on them.
Deep scratches or dents may be nearly impossible to remove, but surface scratches can be blended in by using a commercial-grade abrasive pad. A 180-grit pad or higher is a safe start. The main rule is to stroke or move the pad in the same direction as the existing grain. While blending in a scratch, you may create an area that looks different from the rest of the countertop. A light, feathering stroke will tone down changes. Another option is to hand polish the entire countertop for a blended finish. Deeper marks require a more aggressive abrasive pad or a backer on the pad for more pressure. Fabricators can usually recommend a good source.
There are also finishes available that can mask or camouflage scratches. A random orbital finish with varying grits creates a refined, light grey, contemporary swirl and eliminates worry about scratches.
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.
