Kitchen Benchtops Brisbane – Maintaining Laminated Benchtops

Are you maintaining your kitchen benchtop as best as you could be?

Fibre glass laminates should only be cleaned with pH neutral detergents; there is no need for harsh alkaline or acid based cleaners as this will only aid in the degradation of the resin which holds the fibres in place. Strong chemicals spilt or used on laminate can cause chemical burn or even melt the laminate which would force you to either replace the benchtop or put up with it for years to come. When it comes time to choosing a cleaning agent, search for something with as neutral a pH as possible; the closer to 7 the better. If you require assistance in selecting the appropriate cleaner, don’t hesitate to come down to our kitchen benchtops Brisbane show room and we can demonstrate the difference a quality cleaning product can make for you.

You can use products like Countertop Magic or Plexus to maintain the lustre of your laminate countertop. Goof-Of or Gumption is a great product to use to remove stubborn stains found on your countertop while difficult stains often require the use of a paste made from baking soda and water which is then applied with a soft bristled brush. Given that laminate is a nonporous material, you should not have to scrub too hard to remove any light staining. Be careful not to scrub too hard as baking soda is a very light abrasive and you may inadvertently end up damaging the surface!

Wherever possible, avoid spilling any hair, textile and food dyes on your laminate benchtop as these cause irrevocable, permanent stains. If you somehow manage to spill any of these on your benchtop, act immediately. Cover the stained area with dishwashing detergent or any all-purpose cleaner and begin to wipe down as soon as possible. Oven cleaner and toilet bowl cleaner spills also have to be wiped immediately and rinsed with water a few times as the potent chemicals inside of these will wreak havoc on your laminate.

The use of steel wool or any abrasive pads on the laminate countertop should be strictly forbidden as they scratch and deform the surface. Steel wool pads should be stored on the edge of the kitchen sink as they have a tendency to rust, and this metal rust leaves stains on the laminate countertop.

As mentioned previously, it is not advisable to use the laminate benchtop as a work table or cutting board as even though it is water and shock resistant, it is not scratchproof and the use of sharp blades will undoubtedly damage your surface. Use separate chopping boards and avoid pounding or hammering hard on the laminate countertop. Hot pans, hair driers, sizzling dishes and other hot objects should not be placed directly on the laminate countertop; instead, place them on trivets or insulated heating pads to protect the finish of the countertop. The last thing you could ever want is a perfectly round, melted portion of your benchtop from where you left the hot pot that evening!

At all times it is better to keep moisture at a minimum when dealing with laminated benchtops. This is because if water enters the seams, then bacteria can grow and start to damage your work area. Moisture also seeps into the backsplash and makes it rot or balloon as the particle board expands. Stay on top of your game and wipe up all spills whenever you see them, try not to leave pools of water around after the work is done.

Once damaged, your laminate countertop generally cannot be economically repaired. Should you somehow manage to crack or chip the laminate, then replacement of the entire panel is the only way to truly repair this. Some people opt to paint over it in a different colour but the end result is never the same. Stains, melted regions, benchtop depressions from thumping blows and deep scores from objects are also other common ailments that force people to replace the damaged sections of their benchtops.

Besides being used for bench and countertops, laminate is also used for splashbacks in the kitchen. The splashback is the area that is found behind the sink and its main function lies in protecting the wall here from the splashes from the sink. Splashbacks are made not only from laminates, but also from tiles, stainless steel and glass and are also referred to as a backsplash by other designers in regions throughout the world.

If you would like any further assistance when it comes to selecting, maintaining, designing or renovation tips for your upcoming kitchen renovation or kitchen benchtops project, then don’t hesitate to pop down to our show room where we will be more than happy to help you out.

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