7 proven ways to clean your kitchen countertops

The kitchen is the place in the house where we spend a lot of time, so it is important that it looks neat and is comfortable. And to do this, it must be constantly kept clean. There are many places in our kitchen that get dirty quickly and require a lot of effort to clean.

Kitchen countertops are one of the dirtiest parts of the kitchen, and over time they become dull, lose shine and look unattractive. To restore your countertop to its former beauty, you don’t have to turn to professionals; you just need to know a few simple techniques.

If you want to learn how to clean grease off your kitchen countertops at home, then read our article. We have collected in it all the methods that will allow you not only to clean the surface, but also to give it shine and shine. Every home has a kitchen countertop. But how to clean it from grease if it always appears on the work surface? And how to clean the kitchen countertop from grease so that it shines and shines? Let's figure it out together.

Dishwashing liquid

Another budget-friendly cleaning product is dish soap. Apply a few drops, scrub with a brush, then rinse with water.

To clean natural wood surfaces, use dishwashing detergents. Dampen a soft sponge with the product and gently wipe the surface. If dirt cannot be washed off, use a brush. Remove any remaining detergent with a dry cloth. Do not use products containing chlorine to clean wooden surfaces.

A natural stone

The stone surface of the table must be washed daily. Marble, granite, and limestone have a porous structure. Small holes and cracks quickly become clogged with food debris, which promotes the development of bacteria.

If the countertop is made of stone, the following are unacceptable:

• disinfection with chlorine bleaches;
• cleaning with acids or hard brushes;
• use of abrasives.

The surface of the stone is sensitive to aggressive agents and is easily destroyed.

To remove dust, crumbs and small dirt, simply wipe the countertop with microfiber dipped in a soapy solution.

To remove stubborn stains:

1. Mix a couple of tablespoons of 9% vinegar with seven drops of tea tree essential oil
2. Add five drops of geranium oil and two drops of lavender.
3. Apply the liquid to the sponge and rub the problem areas.
4. Rinse with a damp cloth and wipe dry.

The liquid removes odors and destroys bacteria. Before use, test the effect of the mixture on an inconspicuous area.

Vinegar

Vinegar will not only help remove grease stains, but also add shine to the surface. Dampen a cotton pad with it and wipe the countertop.

Pour the vinegar into a shallow container and place a rag in it. Soak it in vinegar, squeeze it out and wipe all surfaces in the kitchen. Vinegar will help remove even the oldest grease stains from the table surface.

vinegar

Tree

Wood, unfortunately, absorbs liquids and dirt - they quickly eat into the wood fibers and change their color. It is not recommended to wash wooden countertops with large amounts of water - this will cause the wood to swell and become deformed. Dry abrasives and hard brushes leave scratches, so moisten the powders and use foam sponges for cleaning. After treatment, dry the wood thoroughly with dry rags and paper towels.

The table shows suitable folk remedies for wood:

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Caring for a countertop made of laminated chipboard is much easier: wash the surface with soapy water. Add a few drops of dish gel or soap flakes to warm water. Wet the microfiber and wipe the dirty areas.

Heavy stains from chipboard are removed with alcohol or vodka.

Do not use abrasives, chlorine or hydrogen peroxide on laminated surfaces!

Gel-based toothpaste

This will help get rid of stains on an artificial stone countertop if baking soda does not remove them. The paste should be squeezed onto the stain and wiped with a soft toothbrush or dishwashing sponge.

toothpaste

The kitchen countertop is a place that is exposed to various contaminants every day. Food is prepared on it, hot pots and pans are placed, sauces and oils are spilled. And even if you wash it after every meal, this is not enough to maintain its original appearance. In this article we talked about how to quickly and effectively clean the surface of stains, grease and other contaminants.

Plastic

Plastic countertops are resistant to abrasives and hard brushes. However, do not rinse the plastic with hot water or place hot dishes on it. This will cause the surface to melt or swell.

Suitable for cleaning plastic countertops from dirt:

• washing powder;
• dish gel;
• baking soda;
• salt;
• vinegar;
• toothpaste.

Apply the selected substance to a damp sponge and wipe the contaminated areas. To add aroma, apply a couple of drops of your favorite essential oil to a sponge. After cleaning, wipe the surface with a damp cloth and then dry with a paper towel.

To enhance the effect, mix baking soda with dish gel. This will help remove traces of grease from the white countertop.

Mustard powder for kitchen furniture

Mustard dissolves fat well, so after washing, dirt and grease will remain on the napkin.

In order to wash the surface from dirt and grease, you need to moisten it with water and sprinkle with mustard powder. Then wipe the furniture with a dry cloth. A damp cloth or sponge will help to completely remove mustard powder.

You can use mustard to clean kitchen units with a protective surface, stoves, sinks, and refrigerators. The powder should not be used on wooden surfaces and MDF furniture.

Unusual cleaning products

In order to remove the most unpleasant stains from the table, you can use various cleaning sprays, gels and powders. But despite the wide range of detergent compositions, there are several unusual options for removing contaminants:

• Powdered mustard. You should rub it into the surface of the wooden table. This way the color will be refreshed and stubborn dirt will be washed away. Remains of mustard powder are removed with a dry sponge.
• Lemon. Has good disinfection properties. The surface of the table is treated with a circle of fruit. All stains will immediately lighten after use.
• Vodka. It works on the same principle as medical alcohol. Removes “colorful” stains and kills germs.

Important! When purchasing a chemical cleaning composition, pay attention to the instructions. It is not recommended to purchase abrasive substances, as they can adversely affect the structure of the furniture.

Traditional methods of cleaning furniture from plaque and dirt

If we compare household chemicals sold in stores with folk remedies, the latter are safer for humans and can be an excellent assistant in the fight against dirt in the kitchen.

Before you begin removing grease from the surfaces of kitchen furniture, you should select suitable cleaning equipment. It is worth choosing a more gentle tool - a sponge, soft cloth, microfiber, cloth, flannel. Any of the materials can perfectly remove grease from kitchen furniture. There is no need to use metal brushes: using such products can leave scratches and other damage on the furniture.

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Damaged furniture gets dirty much faster: scratches become clogged with grease, plaque and dirt. When cleaning the kitchen, you should use rubber gloves for the safety of your hands and nails. Before completely washing the furniture from dirt, you should check the quality of the product on a small and inconspicuous area of ​​the furniture. This measure will protect the furniture from damage.

Cleaning and maintaining the countertop

After purchasing a kitchen countertop, it is recommended to follow the care instructions and use it for its intended purpose. Proper compliance with operational standards affects the long-term service life of kitchen furniture.

Remember the following basics of proper care:

• The tabletop is not intended for cutting food, as this can have a detrimental effect on its surface - leaving scratches.
• Laminated kitchen tables are not resistant to high temperatures and water. It is not recommended to place hot dishes on them without a stand. If you notice a watery spot, try to remove it as quickly as possible with a dry cloth, otherwise removing the hot spot will cause difficulties in the future.

Important! You can wash a kitchen countertop made of any material using ordinary soapy water and a sponge. This method is suitable as a preventive measure and for removing minor contaminants.

How to repair a countertop

Artificial stone is a universal and repairable material. Therefore, due to a stain that has appeared, there is no need to replace the entire countertop with a new one. You can repair it by contacting professionals. The repair consists of several stages:

1. The specialist cuts out the damaged area with a router.
2. Inserts a piece of material in its place, like the tabletop itself.
3. The entire countertop is sanded, not just the restored part, so that the difference between it and the repaired area is not noticeable.

Considering the above recommendations, you can keep your kitchen perfectly clean. If a section of the coating is hopelessly damaged, then professional craftsmen will come to the rescue and restore the surface, and it will become as good as new.

How to remove marks from hot objects?

If it does happen that the hot frying pan “landed” on the table, and traces of thermal effects appear on the surface, then you can try to remove them:

• from a wooden surface using polish;
• from plastic countertops using a special solvent for PVC;
• from artificial stone - products that contain ammonia.

Natural stone, as a rule, will not suffer from short-term thermal exposure, but it is best to use special stands.

Remember that proper and timely care of your kitchen countertop can significantly extend its service life and delight you with its fresh appearance.

Method 10. Removing fat using a steamer

PURPOSE: To remove old greasy deposits on all kitchen surfaces except wooden ones (!).

INSTRUCTIONS:

If you have a clothes steamer, then you can treat the entire kitchen with it, from the facades to the apron. The method is good for its simplicity and effectiveness. After such a “bath,” the kitchen should be wiped with soapy water and then with a clean, damp and dry microfiber cloth.

• It is advisable not to steam the edges, because this is the weakest point of any furniture made from MDF and chipboard.

Chipboard

Chipboard countertops are a popular choice for kitchens. Such surfaces are covered with special heat-resistant, wear-resistant and environmentally friendly plastic.

The matte surface of this tabletop is more scratch resistant. However, with proper care, scratches will not appear for a long time on glossy surfaces.

The most important thing in caring for chipboard countertops is to minimize the interaction of any liquid with the surface, since the material tends to absorb moisture, swell and collapse.

• To remove more difficult stains, such as oil stains, you can use liquid dishwashing detergent.
• You can remove stubborn stains from the light-colored surface of a chipboard countertop using baking soda diluted with water to a thick paste.
• Stubborn stains are removed from dark-colored surfaces using a 5% vinegar solution or lemon juice.

Important! Use a damp cloth first and then a dry one to remove stains. Don't forget about cutting boards and stands for hot pans and pots. The use of washing powders for cleaning and washing the surface is not recommended.

How to clean acrylic countertops in the kitchen

• Mustard powder – for greasy stains;
• Citric acid or juice - from plaque and stubborn stains;
• Vinegar diluted with water - from traces of lime and rust;
• Soda diluted in water - against yellowness and greasy stains;
• Toothpaste – against all types of contamination.

Blot up any spilled liquid with a paper towel. If you spill something on the countertop, immediately blot up the liquid with a paper towel. Do not rub the liquid over the surface. Even plain water can stain granite, so the liquid should be removed immediately.

Specialized modern fat removal products

Oddly enough, many even inexpensive glass and mirror cleaners can cope well with greasy deposits in the kitchen. Proceed as you would with a specialized product. First, wipe the surface with a damp sponge, then spray the product, leave for a while and scrub with the sponge (do not use the hard side of the sponge if you are afraid of damaging the surface). Repeat if necessary. Then rinse off with a clean, damp sponge.

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The basis of MDF kitchen facades is compressed sawdust bound with resins. The surface is :

Expert opinion

Ekaterina Korneva, expert in the field of care, cleanliness and beauty

I will help you understand all the intricacies.

Traditional methods are no less effective, safe, and the necessary ingredients are almost always at hand. You just need to approach the matter responsibly and do everything possible following the instructions. What products should I use to clean the countertop? If you have any questions, please contact me, I will be happy to answer!

Disinfection

Sinks made of composite stone are hygienic; mold or mildew does not form on them. But the kitchen is a place where you need to maintain a high level of sanitary cleanliness. If there is a need to disinfect kitchen surfaces, including the sink, you can do this using products containing rather aggressive components. You can clean the sink with Domestos, Beliznoy and other products containing chlorine. But they should only be used in diluted form. They are diluted in water in a 1:1 consistency and sprayed onto the surface using a spray bottle, left for 30 - 60 minutes, then wiped with a sponge or cloth, then washed off with plenty of water. When using such products undiluted, nothing will happen to a sink made of high-quality artificial stone, but this should not be done on an ongoing basis, especially if the sink is black.

We wash the most difficult parts - handles and other fittings with steam cleaners

Hardworking housewives purchase special steam cleaners for their home. This technique removes all types of contaminants from various surfaces and disinfects them. The device is suitable for processing any type of wood, plastic, small fittings, cutlery, etc.

The device acts on contamination with steam, which affects the structure of the fat deposit, making it soft and liquid. As a result of operation, you will be able to clean:

1. kitchen facade, electrical appliances, tables and walls from grease splashes;
2. restore shine to glass or stainless steel utensils;
3. remove scale and burnt marks from pans;
4. remove foul odor, bacteria and fungi.

The device does not require the use of oilcloth, but allows you to wipe off stains of varying complexity and age from the table, walls, cabinet handles, gas boiler, laminate, chipboard, MDF and laminated chipboard.

You can clean the kitchen from greasy stains using household and traditional methods. Before processing, be sure to determine what material it is made of. If the furniture is varnished, avoid using abrasives such as soda and mustard. For other kitchens, as well as walls, tiles, and ceilings, any cleaning method is suitable.