Having the right kitchen countertop surfaces can be extremely beneficial to you in the long term. High-quality countertops add real value to your life and help attract serious buyers should you decide to sell down the line. They also significantly improve the function of your kitchen. With high-performing kitchen countertop surfaces, you can easily clean up your kitchen, which streamlines your daily routine. One of the biggest benefits of new kitchen countertops is that they can revamp the way your kitchen looks. If you have invested in stunning countertops, this will significantly improve the appearance of your kitchen. To keep it that way, here are the top tips for keeping your kitchen countertops in good condition.

Start With a Quality Installation

One of the easiest ways to ensure that your kitchen countertops stay in good condition is to find an experienced professional to ensure a quality installation. Keep in mind that some kitchen countertop materials require a lot of maintenance. If you're not up to the job, this can make it harder to take care of your countertops. Therefore, it's best to begin by consulting an expert for help to decide which kitchen countertop material is more suited for your needs. You should also spend time looking for the right kitchen remodeling professional that has experience installing new countertops. Start by asking anyone you know who has recently installed quality countertops you admire if they can give you a referral.

You can also search online and read reviews to find a professional who can install it correctly. If you're tempted to DIY the project, this isn't a good idea, as there's a steep learning curve. The last thing you want is to learn on the job. When done incorrectly, your kitchen countertops can end up skewed and with ill-fitting joints that are improperly sealed. Improper installation can make it harder to keep your countertops in good shape because of uneven surfaces, staining, and peeling. Therefore, if you want durable countertops that'll look good for a long time, it's worth it to pay for quality craftsmanship.

Use the Right Cleaning Materials

Your countertops will stay in great condition if you use the right cleaning techniques. One of the best preventative measures for safeguarding the appearance of your kitchen countertop materials is to clean spills as soon as they occur. This will prevent stains from forming on your countertops, which are tough to remove. Even if you invested in a spill-resistant material, it's still possible for the material to eventually absorb the spill, given enough time. Keep an eye out for acidic substances, which can be damaging to most kitchen countertop surfaces. Hence, act as quickly as possible where spills with a low pH are concerned. This includes acidic substances like lemon, citric acid, and vinegar. In any case, make a habit of keeping your countertops dry and wiping them down to remove all traces of moisture.

For most kitchen countertop materials, it's never a good idea to use abrasive products. Tools like steel wool are likely to scratch the countertops, giving them an unsightly appearance. You can usually manage to keep your countertops looking neat and clean with a simple cleaning solution and a microfiber cloth. Using a microfiber cloth, in particular, can work wonders because this type of cloth is extremely absorbent and can effectively remove dirt. Use gentle cleaners because harsh chemicals or acidic cleaners can be more damaging than beneficial. 

Apply a Surface Sealant

If you're lucky, your kitchen countertop materials won't need you to apply surface sealant. However, if you have granite, wood, or concrete countertops, then this is a prerequisite as it helps protect against scratches, stains, and drying out. Kitchen counters with porous surfaces can trap moisture if they're not properly sealed, which causes all sorts of problems, such as the growth of bacteria. This can negatively impact the function of your countertops because when you can't properly disinfect the surfaces, it might not be safe to use them for meal preparation. On the other hand, sealed surfaces don't absorb spills, and they are much easier to clean. Sealing them also prevents etching, which happens when things like lemon juice get spilled and aren't immediately wiped.

Countertops that are sealed are also easier to clean, and the sealer helps preserve the natural surfaces of the countertop. Usually, the surfaces are sealed when they're installed. That's why it's a good idea to use a professional for the installation since they have a better understanding of what type of sealant to apply. It's important to ensure that countertops are sealed upon installation, so you can maximize the benefits that come with new countertops. Keep in mind that even countertops need to be re-sealed occasionally to stay in good shape.

Keep Heat Away

Keeping heat away from your countertops makes sense because heat is damaging and has a warping effect on materials. Heat also causes materials to expand and then contract when they cool. This repeated expansion and contraction can be damaging to countertops. Yet, you might be surprised at the number of people who think it won't make much of a difference. If you fail to heed these tips, your countertops may not look worn out today or tomorrow, but they're bound to wear down quickly enough. The more susceptible the countertops are to heat, the more easily they get damaged over time – even the heat-resistance countertops might succumb over time. While at it, also make sure you use a cutting board instead of chopping things up directly on the kitchen countertop surface. This will help you avoid permanent and unsightly scratches.

Read the Manufacturer's Instructions

Countertops are made from different materials, so they may have a different set of requirements when it comes to care and maintenance. In that case, you should first determine the provider of the countertops in your kitchen to see if they have any instructions about taking care of their products. Even if you can't find these instructions, you can always ask a contractor or an expert about the best way to keep your particular brand of countertop in good condition. Contractors who have a lot of experience installing countertops are more likely to know about their care and maintenance.

The specific instructions for cleaning differ depending on the material. For instance, when cleaning laminate, it's best practice to use warm, soapy water and a sponge made from textured fiber. Granite countertops require pH-balanced cleaners, so avoid even natural cleaners like lemon juice, vinegar, and citrus cleaners because they're slightly acidic. The same also applies to marble countertops which can easily get damaged by using acidic or low-pH cleaners. Whatever instructions you learn about, remember, the experts know best, so follow the guidelines closely as possible.

According to Fortune Business Insights, the market size for countertops is expected to grow to an impressive $110.54 billion by 2027. So, if you're planning on upgrading your kitchen countertops, you're one of the many homeowners who have planned to do so. Now that you know all about keeping your countertops in great condition, you can confidently invest in new kitchen countertop surfaces. At least you're familiar with effective tips that ensure your investment remains in perfect condition. Ready to get started with your kitchen countertop project? Feel free to get in touch with Zaso Stone Group to help you upgrade and maintain the aesthetics of your kitchen countertops.