Your kitchen is one of the most essential rooms in your house. It is where you prepare meals and catch up with family members. For this reason, you need to make it more functional, comfortable, and visually appealing as much as possible.
Installing a countertop is one of the most effective ways to boost functionality and visual appeal. You can choose from many types of countertops, including quartz, granite, marble, concrete, laminate, etc.
These countertops have unique features, pros, and cons, which you should fully understand before choosing one that suits your needs, requirements, taste, and preferences. Among these countertops, one of the most common ones is the laminate countertop.
What Are Laminate Countertops?
A laminate countertop is a surface type created by bonding layers of plastic laminate to a substrate, usually plywood or particleboard. A decorative layer, a core layer for stability and strength, and a protective overlay are the layers that make up the laminate material.
The countertop’s aesthetic appearance originates from the ornamental layer, which comes in various colors, patterns, and textures to imitate other materials like granite, stone, or wood. Because of this, laminate countertops may be used in kitchens and bathrooms to provide a variety of design aesthetics at a reasonable cost.
The durability, stain, scratch resistance, and ease of maintenance of laminate countertops from BestwayLaminates are what make them pretty much popular. They are an ideal option for cost-conscious homes and business applications because they are comparatively less expensive than solid surface or real stone counters.
Usually, laminate countertops are installed by cutting the material to size, covering the substrate with adhesive, and securing the laminate sheets. To get various designs and styles, the edges can be polished with different profiles, including a square edge, beveled edge, or bullnose edge.
Now, let’s look at ways to maintain and care for your laminate countertops to increase their lifespan.
How to Maintain and Care for Laminate Countertops
Proper maintenance and care for laminate is crucial if you want it to last longer and give you value for your money. Here are tips to help you maintain and care for laminate countertops.
Clean It Properly and Use the Right Tools
You must clean your laminate countertop regularly to make it look clean and pleasing. When cleaning, make sure that you use the right tools.
When cleaning the countertop, wipe it down first with a soft, damp cloth or sponge to remove spills, surface debris, or crumbs. To clean the surface thoroughly, use mild dish soap.
Avoid using scrubbing pads or abrasive cleaners since they can scratch or dull the surface of the laminate countertop. Use a clean, lint-free cloth to prevent water spots or streaks from forming when drying the countertop.
Remove Stains the Right Way
If your laminate countertop has stubborn stains such as tea, coffee, or wine, you must tactfully remove them by mixing baking soda with water and applying it to the affected area.
Let that paste rest briefly before gently scrubbing the stain with a sponge or soft-bristled brush. Then, you can rinse the area with water and dry it thoroughly.
Additionally, for oil or grease stains, use a mild degreasing cleaner. If you don’t have the degreasing cleaner, you can use vinegar and water to break down the residue. Steer clear of harsh chemicals or bleach because they can significantly damage the laminate surface.
Protect from Heat and Scratch
Heat and scratch can significantly damage your laminate countertop over time. That’s why you need to protect your laminate surface from them.
Use trivets, hot pads, or heat-resistant mats when placing hot pots, pans, and other appliances. Avoid cutting directly on the surface to prevent your laminate countertop from experiencing scratches. Instead, use a cutting board.
Be cautious when using sharp or abrasive objects near the countertop, as this can result in scratching the surface. Lastly, use rubber feet or felt pads on the bottom of small appliances to prevent scratching.
Always Protect the Laminate Countertop from Water Damage
You should protect your laminate countertop from not only heat and scratch alone but from water damage too. This can go a long way in increasing the lifespan of the laminate countertop. You can achieve this in so many ways.
For instance, you need to wipe up spills promptly to prevent water from seeping into the edges or seams of the laminate. This can end up promoting the growth of mold, which can damage the surface.
Water seeping into the edges and seams of the countertop can also cause the laminate to discolor, swell, and detach from the base. If this persists, it will ultimately warp the basewood. Pay close attention to areas around faucets, sinks, and seams where water is more likely to accumulate.
It is crucial to regularly check for signs of water damage or swelling along the seams and edges and address any issues immediately.
Don’t Store Liquids on The Surface that May Stain and Leak
This is one of the mistakes homeowners make regarding laminate countertops. However, storing items that could be staining or leaking can damage your countertop.
That’s because they can discolor and stain, causing significant harm depending on the liquid’s strength. Some liquids that may sneak or stain your laminate countertop include vinegar, oils, laundry detergent, etc. Keep them in a separate, closed drawer away from direct sunlight.
Repair Damaged Areas
If you notice that the surface has some damaged areas, you must repair them as soon as possible before they escalate and become costly and time-consuming to fix.
Of course, repairing your laminate countertop immediately can help enhance its longevity. In this case, a DIY might not be the best option; the best thing to do is to call a professional to come and do the repair.
Final Thoughts
Maintaining your laminate kitchen countertop’s lifespan and aesthetic appeal requires regular cleaning and maintenance. You can maintain your countertop’s aesthetic appeal and functionality for many years to come by adhering to the recommendations provided in this article.
Always wipe up spills immediately, use mild cleaners, and shield surfaces from heat, scratches, and moisture damage. Your laminate countertop will keep improving your kitchen’s appearance and functionality with consistent maintenance and care.