Laminate is popular among the low-budget kitchen countertop materials. It comes in many colors and designs. They are not even close in durability to granite countertops, but their cost is also not as high as granite. Anyways, there are certain things that you need to know about them when buying or using laminate countertops. Below are the things you should and shouldn’t do when dealing with laminate countertops.
Do Your Research
This is something that you need to keep in mind when getting laminate countertops for the kitchen, is proper research. Since this material is very popular and common, there are a lot of options to choose from and there also might be some scams along the way. Even though laminate isn’t an expensive material per se, it’s still important that you get something good for your kitchen and not get duped by a retailer.
The best way to go about this situation is to go to a retailer that you know and trust or simply opt for a fabricator that has extremely good reviews. The chances of getting something good for what you’re paying will increase by many folds.
Don’t Use Too Much Heat
Laminate might be decently durable, but that doesn’t mean that you can go around putting very hot foods and pots directly on top of the surface of the countertops. This can deform the surface quickly and it can also lead to heat stain formation. Heat stains, if you don’t know what they are already, are black and very permanent blotches of heat, that are the result of heat shocking the laminate countertops.
These stains are extremely hard to remove and they also look hideous. So, to prevent your laminate countertops from getting ruined completely, be careful of what you’re putting on the surface. Use cutting boards and trivets as a way to create a boundary between the countertops and the hot foods you’re dealing with. This extra step will ensure that your countertops stay in a good condition for long.
Do Clean Them Everyday
This is something that should go without saying. If you’re not regularly cleaning your countertops, then that’s not only unsanitary but you’re also prematurely damaging your countertops by letting food and spills sit on the surface for longer. This is why it’s essential to clean laminate countertops every single day.
As soon as you’re done with work in the kitchen and it’s time to call it a day, you can take some time out and wipe off the counters. It doesn’t take a lot of time and your countertops will look amazing and fresh for longer.
Don’t Forget To Seal Them
Sealing laminate countertops might be a weird thing because it’s commonly linked with natural stone countertops like granite, marble, limestone, and quartzite countertops, but you will be surprised at how many people ignore sealing. So, don’t be that person. Sealing laminate countertops will only add that extra layer of protection against moisture and water and you’ll thank yourself for making this decision.
Sealing is not at all hard to do and with laminate, it’s going to get done even more quickly because the surface is already smooth. Even though sealing is not necessary, it is still a good idea to go the extra step, if you want your countertops to last longer and be damage-free.
Do Keep It Simple
A lot of the time, people can go for laminate countertops that are very bold and bright in color and while that might be your preference too, it is still recommended that you go for laminate countertops colors that are slightly more neutral and subtle to the eye. Why? Light, muted, and neutral colors in laminate countertops tend to go well with the rest of the décor and it just looks very pleasing to the eye, rather than a shockingly vibrant color that can throw the theme off.
Don’t Use Sharp Knives
The next time you think about using a sharp knife directly on the surface of laminate countertops, then pump the brakes. Laminate, as mentioned previously, is susceptible to scratches and sharp knives can produce deep and very obvious scratches on the surface of the countertops and those are not easy to remove or get rid of.
You might need to have the entire counter replaced if the scratches are too deep. So, always use a cutting board when cutting things on laminate countertops.
It’s a downside of laminate countertops that they get scratched very easily even when you’re careful. So, if you can spend more money during countertop installation, choose granite or quartz kitchen countertops Rockville.
Do Get Rid Of Dried Food
Those pesky dried-up food crumbs not only look unpleasant, but they can be a nightmare to get rid of if you let them sit on the countertops for too long. You need to get rid of all of the dried-up food crumbs and spills before things take a turn for the worst.
Use some water to loosen the crumbs. Then, use a wet and soft toothbrush that you don’t mind getting ruined, and apply a bit of detergent on the bristles. Scrub the surface in a back-and-forth motion and you’ll get rid of the dried-up food in no time. Lastly, just wipe the surface off with a wet washcloth. That’s it!
Don’t Use Harsh Cleaners
Laminate countertops might look like they can endure scratches and stains, but that’s not true at all. Laminate is susceptible to damage and scratches as much as any other soft material and it can be quite frustrating to deal with them.
One way by which you can prevent scratches from forming on the surface of laminate countertops is by avoiding abrasive and harsh cleaners and cleaning pads. Steel and wooden cleaning pads are a big no when it comes to using them on laminate countertops. Use a soft microfiber cloth and a toothbrush and you’ll be good to go, as these things will get the job done and there won’t be any scratches.
Do Maintain Them Timely
Maintenance is the name of the game when you’re trying to make any type of countertop last, be it laminate or any other material. You need to maintain the countertops if you want them to look beautiful and perfect for longer. So, you’ll need to deep clean the countertops every two weeks or so.
You’ll also need to reseal the countertops if you’ve opted for it, which is highly recommended. You will also have to call in professionals to inspect the countertops for damage and get them fixed before the countertops get even more damaged.
Don’t Put Weight On Them
You also want to avoid sitting or standing on top of the laminate countertops, even if it’s just for getting something that’s out of reach. These countertops aren’t meant to hold your weight or heavy weight in general, so you need to be careful when throwing things with too much force on the countertops.
This action can damage the countertops and you’ll ruin the perfectly good material with a simple mistake. So, always use stools or chairs to stand on top of and keep weight at bay.
Conclusion
Laminate countertops are amazing, but you need to keep these things in mind if you want your countertops to last longer and be in pristine condition. However, if you want a better countertop material, consult granite installers Potomac.