Cleaning and maintenance of concrete countertops

Cleaning and maintaining your concrete countertop is easy. The main thing to consider when cleaning your concrete countertop is to follow the instructions advised by your countertop contractor or manufacturers. It is best to seek their assistance on the proper care and maintenance of countertop because they know what works best for their product. Listed below are some cleaning and maintenance tips that you can follow:

• Make sure your concrete countertop is equipped with a sealer. A sealer is applied on the surface of your concrete countertop to provide protection against kitchen stains such as food stains, oils, and grease. If your concrete countertop has not been sealed, then you can apply it yourself. Make sure your countertop is dry, clean, and free from harmful contaminants before applying the surface sealer. Read the instructions on the label carefully and follow them as advised.
• Once you’ve initially sealed your concrete countertop, make sure to apply the sealer regularly. Wax coating is an example of a countertop sealer that provides a high level of protection.
• When cleaning your concrete countertop, avoid using abrasive soaps or cleansers. For regular cleaning, manufacturers recommend the use of mild, non-ammoniated, and non-abrasive soaps that would not damage your countertop. You can use popular cleanser brands such as Simple Green and Dr. Bronner’s natural soap. Simple Green should be diluted in water and applied as directed. Dr. Bronner’s natural soap should be mixed with five-part water and used also as directed. Warm water combined with a neutral pH cleanser can also be used.Avoid using an abrasive pad when cleaning or wiping away dirt from your concrete countertop because they can cause scratches or mild damage. Use a sponge or a soft dishrag instead because they can clean the surface just the same without the risk of damaging it.
• Clean food or liquid spills as soon as possible. Spills that are left standing on the surface for a long time can stain your concrete countertop permanently.
• Avoid placing hot pans, hot plates, and other hot cookware on your concrete countertop. The heat can gradually but permanently damage the seal on your countertop. Make sure that there is always a hot pad or a trivet available on your countertop where you can place hot pans on.
• Remember that knives can cut through and create weak spots on the sealer, so make sure they do not make contact with the surface. You should provide a safe storage for all the sharp and pointed objects in your kitchen. Also, use a chopping board when preparing food instead of doing it directly on the surface.
• For any problems that you do not know how to resolve, do not hesitate to contact your contractor or manufacturer.