From the Floors Up

How to Clean Three Different Types of Countertops

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The kitchen is the heart of the home, yet it also can be home to a lot of messes. In fact, we are continually preparing and eating food on our countertops. Countertops can easily be a focal point in many kitchens. Because of their showcase quality, it is essential to help keep them clean for hygienic and longevity purposes. However, not all countertops are alike. Some cleaning materials used for one countertop may ruin your beautiful countertop. To help, here is what you need to know about cleaning some of the most common countertop selections:

Granite

Granite is one of the most common, prestigious countertop options. To clean granite countertops, start by mixing dish soap with warm water. Soak a rag in the solution and wipe away any residue or debris from your countertop surface. You can also dilute a solvent like an isopropyl in water to disinfect your countertops. Put into a spray bottle and spray counter after it has been dried. Use a paper towel to wipe countertops dry.

Marble

Another great natural stone is marble. This porous rock can be cleaned very similarly to granite. Use dish soap with warm water to remove residue and debris. However, be very cognitive of using any acid-base cleaner on marble. This soft rock can easily be etched. You should also be cognitive of staining. Both granite and marble countertops should be sealed annually to prevent damage.

Stainless Steel

Use a microfiber cleaning cloth and warm water to wipe down your countertops. Many manufacturers make specific products for stainless steel counters. Once you apply the approved cleaners, make sure to wipe your countertops dry. Stainless steel can easily show water spots and cleaner residue if not dried thoroughly. You can even use lemon juice to help clean these as well. They will not rust or corrode at all.

Cleaning your countertops is just another way to take pride in your beautiful kitchens. Make sure if you have a porous countertop that you have it resealed as recommended. Every countertop has different benefits and cons. Cleaning each one can have its set of rules to follow. Make sure you do the right method of cleaning to get the most longevity out of your counters.

Solid Surface Countertops FAQ

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Solid surface countertops are a manmade countertop solution that is created from pressed polyester resin and acrylic particles to create an alternative to natural stones. These solid-surface countertops have been around for a long time and were traditionally a high-end option for living spaces. Today, however, solid-surface countertops are used more frequently in homes looking to eliminate the cons of natural stone. This frequency has made solid-surface countertops a little more common in the market, taking it from a luxury countertop option to a more practical option. Our readers still have many questions when it comes to this manmade alternative and its many benefits. Here are our top asked questions on solid-surface countertops to help address those concerns:

Q: Do solid-surface countertops have seams?

A: Yes, but unlike natural stone, they are much harder to see. Natural stones have a large variety of character and patterns, which makes it virtually impossible to hide the seam. No two slabs of natural stone are the same. However, solid-surface is fabricated and can come in solid colors which can make seams nearly impossible to see.

Q: Can I put hot pans or pots on my solid surface countertop?

A: No, because solid-surface countertops are made from pressed polyester resin and acrylic particles, and both compounds perform poorly under extreme heat. This can cause discoloring, bubbling, and other unwanted damage.

Q: Are solid surface countertops durable?

A: Solid-surface countertops are very durable. They are antibacterial and nonporous, making them extremely low-maintenance. However, they can be scratched with knives or abrasive products and extreme heat. Professionals can renew the surfaces if damaged, which can save you from replacing your countertops early.

Q: What are the main advantages of solid surface countertops?

A: These countertops are primarily desired for their low-maintenance and inconspicuous seams. They may not be granite or marble; however, they still look beautiful in homes. Many homeowners and businesses enjoy how customizable these countertops can be since they can fit with any design theme in the industry!

The variety of colors, styles, designs, and versatility of solid-surface countertops is highly desirable. Whether in your bathroom or kitchen, these countertops will work in almost any atmosphere! If you have more questions about solid-surface countertops, let us know in the comment section, and for more insight on other countertop solutions and maintenance, make sure to subscribe.

No need to keep Climbing Out of the Tub with this Space Handy

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Are you a bath-lover? If relaxing in a tub at the end of a long day is your favorite activity, more than once you’ve probably had to climb out because you forgot your novel, drink, scrubby or it’s time to add more bubbles.

Even tubs that have space around them generally handle only so much before running out of room or making your bathroom look cluttered. This design helps address the problem.

Tucked in a corner beyond the vanity, several shelves have space for virtually anything you want to grab in the bath. The slight distance helps avoid splash issues while still staying reachable without inconvenience.

Do you like to read in the bath? Tuck your latest paperback on one shelf to grab and peruse while you get nice and pruney. Debating between bath salts or lots of bubbles? Both will fit here, waiting for your decision.

This shelf space is tucked to the side of the vanity in the back of the bathroom. It allows you to store various bath favorites without having them mess up your counter or fill your vanity drawers. Put them in lovely containers (unbreakable recommended) and they will be decorative as well as convenient.

This tub is nice and deep, making it perfect for a long soak. Lighting is subtle and the modern vanity with its onyx top warms the otherwise all-white space. Toss your towel on the far end of the vanity and you’re ready to dry off when it’s time to take your relaxed self to bed.

This post is part of Bathroom Blogfest 2011. To learn more about it, check out the Bathroom Blogfest Blog!

Below is a list of other participants you might enjoy visiting!

 

Susan Abbott – @susanabbott – fromCustomer Experience Crossroads explores Bathroom Blogfest: what bathrooms say about culture

Laurence Borel – @blogtillyoudrop – fromBlog Till You Drop writes about Blogfest 2011 – Topshop’s smart Tumblr strategy

Nora DePalma – @noradepalma – from O’Reilly/DePalma: The Blog, thoughtfully describes Bathroom Blogfest: Climbing Out – When You’re 90

Emily Hooper – @FCNewsMag – from Floor Covering News Blog shows us how she is Climbing Out and Moving On. I can’t wait to see what the next bathroom looks like!

Diane Kazan – @dkazan – from Urban Design Renovation explains Why do Bathrooms Cost So Much to Remodel? Routing Remodel Riddles

Veronika Miller – @Modenus – from Modenus Blog inspires us to truly climb out in Bathroom Blogfest: Climbing out – a very personal take

Victoria Redshaw & Shelley Pond – @scarletopus – from the Scarlet Opus Trends Blog show us marvelous visions of trends to come in Bathroom Blogfest 2011

Christine B. Whittemore – @cbwhittemore – in Content Talks Business Blogrecaps Wednesday’s Bathroom Blogfest Twitter Chat: #kbtribechat

Ted Whittemore – @TedWhittemore – from Working Computers urges you toComputer Backup or Climbing Out of the Computer Crapper [can you believe the images he found?]

Chris Woelfel – @tileexperts – from Artcraft Granite, Marble & Tile Co. shares another interview with us about how Tile Transforms.

From the Floors Up

From the Floors Up blog was created with the goal of providing a destination for consumers, designers and those interested in the flooring, design, and kitchen and bath industries. Here you’ll find, current, accurate and informative information that is always just a click away!

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