Protecting Your Concrete Counters
Thinking of getting concrete countertops for your kitchen? If you are thinking of a new project such as installing concrete countertops for your kitchen, then it is important to know what to expect once you decide to proceed with a new project or endeavor. What are the dos and don’ts for concrete counters? How do you clean and maintain them? Are they easy to clean and maintain?
What Are Concrete Countertops?
Concrete is a primary material that can be used to make countertops. However, concrete countertops need to be protected from harsh material and chemicals that are exposed to it because of daily use.
Acidic substances like vinegar or juices can damage the surface. This is also true for other liquids such as tea and red wine. A lot of liquids can stain the surface of your countertops. Seeing that this is the situation, what can you do to protect your countertops?
Seal Your Concrete Countertops
One way to protect concrete from being stained or damaged is by sealing them. While this doesn’t last forever (you would have to reseal your countertops from time to time), they will provide good protection in ensuring that your concrete countertops remain in good condition.
You can use various sealers in protecting your countertop, and methods of applying it will also vary. Sealers or coating will protect your countertops against stains and other forms of scratches. The sealers are typically water resistant and stain resistant as well. Nonetheless, make sure that you are applying a sealer that is safe for food, especially if your concrete countertops are located in the kitchen.
Cleaning Your Concrete Countertops
Putting in sealers on your countertops doesn’t mean that you don’t need to perform maintenance. You should still clean and maintain your countertops regularly. Below are tips on how you can do it:
- Avoid putting hot pans or pots on your countertop. A lot of sealers are heat resistant, but when they are exposed to extreme heat, they can be damaged. Also avoid cutting on your concrete countertop surfaces because it may result to scratching. Make sure you still use cutting boards and trays whenever you are undergoing food preparation to minimize the damage.
- For cleaning your countertops, you can use a mild dish detergent or cleaner. Make sure that you don’t use strong ones like those that have bleach since they can damage your countertops. Also make sure to scrub gently as well.
- Regularly add top coating to your countertops in order to replace or replenish areas that have suffered wear and tear over time. This is also part of long-term maintenance and making sure that your countertops remain at their best condition.
It is important to protect what you have invested your money on, and you can do this by cleaning and resealing your concrete countertops regularly. This practice will go a long way when it comes to preserving its overall appearance. However, you can also consult with experienced professionals regarding installation and maintenance. This is so that you can explore your options and also find out which sealers are recommended and easy to maintain.