Care & Maintenance: Laminate
Laminate countertops are regarded as one of the most environmentally friendly countertop surfaces, offering a broad selection in design and budget flexibility.
To clean the surface, use a damp cloth or sponge and a mild soap or household cleaner. Do not use hard abrasives such as Comet® or steel wool.
Difficult residue such as dried coffee or tea can be removed using mild household cleaner or detergent and a soft bristled brush, repeating as necessary. If a residue persists, use a paste of baking soda and water. Apply with a soft bristled brush. Lightly scrubbing for 10 to 20 strokes should remove most residue. Excessive scrubbing or exerting too much force could cause damage to the laminate. This procedure should not be the normal general cleaning method or used on gloss finish laminates.
Staining that resists the daily cleaning method may require the use of undiluted household bleach or nail polish remover. Apply the bleach or nail polish remover to the stain and let stand no longer than two minutes. Rinse thoroughly with warm water and wipe dry. This process may be repeated, but prolonged exposure of bleach to the laminate surface will cause discoloration.
Always wipe up water or other spills, especially at seams, cutouts, or edge locations to avoid delamination or swelling of the substrate. Avoid extreme or sudden changes in temperate and humidity.
Trivets: Hot pans and electrical appliances should never come in contact with your laminate countertop. Never place pots or dishes directly from the oven or stove onto your countertop; always use hot pads or trivets. Laminate exposed to heat can, and will, mar or burn.
Cutting Boards: Always use a cutting board when preparing food or using sharp objects; never chop or slice food directly on your countertops.
The below list provides examples of items to avoid but is not fully comprehensive:
- Avoid exposing your laminate to harsh chemicals such as oven cleaners, rust removers, toilet bowl cleaners, hair or food dyes, drain cleaners or products containing any kind of acid.
- Do not use any acidic or basic cleaners, like chlorine bleach.
- Avoid using abrasives like steel wool, scouring pads, or scouring powders which can damage the surface
If any of the substances mentioned above come into contact with your laminate, rinse the exposed surface immediately and thoroughly with water and fully wipe dry the surface.
