Selecting a countertop material is one thing, but maintaining and keeping it looking new for longer is a whole debacle in itself. Along with granite countertops, concrete countertops can outlive your house if you maintain them well. So, if you have concrete countertops in your kitchen, then here is the maintenance guide for concrete counters.

How To Clean Concrete Countertops?

This tip is something that you’ll need to do every day and if you’re looking for a way to effectively clean your concrete countertops and make them look spotless, then this method is the way to go. The things you’ll need for this include:

Sponge, preferably an old one, reserved for cleaning countertops
Water in a bowl/spray bottle
Detergent (dish soap works)
Microfiber cloth

First things first, you will need to make a cleaning solution and this is effective as well as cheap if you don’t want to spend a lot of money on store-bought cleaners. Start by mixing a couple of drops of detergent in a big bowl of lukewarm/cold water. The sudsier, the better. You can either mix the two in a bowl with a chopstick or spoon or make things easy by pouring everything into a spray bottle and shaking it.

Alternatively, you can also pour some detergent directly on the countertop surface and then pour some water on top and that’s amazing to get rid of any stains or dried-up food crumbs. For everyday cleaning, however, it’s recommended that you use a spray bottle because it’s mess-free.

Spray the solution onto the countertops, and use a wet sponge to wipe the surfaces. If you’ve prepared said solution in a bowl, then saturate the sponge with the soapy water and wipe the countertops. Regardless, the key is to go in circular motions to get the countertops clean and get rid of any surface-level stains and spills.

Once this is done, take a microfiber cloth and run it under some water. Wring the excess water out and start wiping away the suds present on the countertop surface. Repeat the process with all of the countertops until you’re done.

Seal Them Up

If you didn’t know this already, concrete is a very absorbent material. It’s known to suck water, or any liquid for that matter, within itself and it can cause permanent stains. To protect your countertops from turning into a stain galore, it’s best that you take measures beforehand and seal up the surface.

Sealants make any countertop surface waterproof, by filling up the pores of the material. Sealing concrete countertops will also give them a nice, lustrous finish. If you’re looking for a countertop that doesn’t need sealing, look into quartz kitchen countertops Potomac.

Say No To Scrubbing Pads

Yes, concrete is quite durable, but that doesn’t mean that you can get away with using harsh scrubbing pads, just to get rid of the grime and dried debris. There are easier ways to get the same job done, without actually damaging or scratching the countertops. A soft toothbrush will save the day.

If you see any dried-up food present on the countertop surface, then you can get the surface wet to loosen the crumbs, and then use a wet toothbrush, with a bit of detergent applied on the bristles, and scrub away all of the gross things. This tip also gets rid of any surface stains.

Avoid Abrasive Cleaners

If you paid any attention in science class, then you would know that cement and acids react together violently and the latter can damage the former, by forming large holes on the surface.

So, to prevent this from happening, it’s best that you don’t use cleaners that have acids, harsh chemicals, and drying agents in them. These things aren’t going to clean your concrete countertops at all, rather the result will be brittle and highly damaged countertops that need professional attention.

pH Is The Name Of The Game

While detergent works wonderfully for concrete countertops, as far as daily cleaning is concerned, some people can’t help but scratch the itch of getting store-bought cleaners. If you’re in the same boat and prefer commercial cleaners for your concrete countertops, then you have the green light, but you must read the back label as well.

Go for cleaners that have a neutral pH, because anything too acidic or alkaline can cause damage of epic proportions, and you’ll end up doing more bad than good. So, make it a habit to take some time and figure out whether the countertop cleaner you’re buying is safe for use on concrete or not.

Bleach For Dried Stains

The sole name of “bleach” might sound like an alarm, but in reality, a bit of bleach can take care of those pesky stains that aren’t going away. You need to keep in mind the fact that “less is more” and a little dab of bleach is enough to solve the issue at hand. If you see a stubborn stain that is ruining the look of your precious countertops, then it’s time to pull out the big guns, aka bleach.

Take a bit of concentrated bleach on a small cotton pad and squeeze out the excess. Dab it over the stain and then use a wet washcloth to wipe the remnants away. The stain will disappear like magic, but you know the trick behind it.

Avoid Spills

You already know that concrete is a magnet for stains because it absorbs everything like a sponge, so it means that spills can graduate from puddles of liquid on the surface, to somewhat permanent stains, if you don’t take care of it right away. Even if your countertops are sealed and protected, it’s better if you take spills seriously and clean up the mess, before it can do further harm.

Regular Wax Coating

This might sound peculiar, but a wax coating is essential for concrete countertops to stay in pristine condition for long. It doesn’t only amplify the sheen on the surface of concrete countertops, but it also helps to retain the sealant. Wax coatings also repel water, forcing it to bead up on the surface, making clean-up almost ten times easier.

A wax coating sounds pretty amazing, but your question might be: How often should I wax my countertops? Well, that depends on the work frequency. If your countertops are near water at all times, then a monthly wax coat is sufficient, otherwise, you can opt for quarterly wax coatings throughout the year.

Baking Soda – Nature’s Grease Remover

Last but not least, the white powder of DIY miracles can also be used for cleaning and maintaining concrete countertops. Baking soda combined with vinegar is nature’s most resilient weapon against grease and oil stains. You can pour a bit of vinegar into a teaspoon of baking soda and wait for it to fizz up. From here, you’ll need to work fast and apply the mixture to the oil stain. Let it sit for 5 minutes and wipe away.

Conclusion

Concrete countertops are one of the most versatile countertop options because you have really wide design and shape options. And if you maintain them well, you may need to replace your countertops ever. However, if you’re looking to increase your house’s value, you should install granite countertops. For this, look for a good granite contractor Rockville.

Topics #cleaning concrete countertops #concrete countertops #concrete countertops maintenance #granite contractors #granite countertops #sealing countertops