Maintenance of plastic laminate countertops

Laminate countertop sheets are created by adding two or more layers of synthetic material. The materials are covered by two layers of plastic and sealed using pressure, heat or adhesives. This creates a durable surface that is easy to maintain and allows manufacturers to create patterns, colors and styles that can match almost any home décor. One of the disadvantages of choosing this type of countertop is that once it is damaged it is almost impossible to repair it. Therefore, it is essential to take the necessary precautions to avoid damage. Here are some of the most common ways to damage your problems and how to avoid them.

1. Use of sharp or abrasive objects

Laminated sheets susceptible to marks and scratches; using wire brushes to clean or cut products directly on the kitchen surface are some examples of objects that can cause damage. They can leave unsightly marks and scratches that cannot be easily repaired. When cleaning, use an ordinary washcloth and soap. For stains use safe household products and/or baking soda, sheets are porous so stains are not as deep and should be easy to clean. Experts do not recommend using bleach; excess bleach can cause damage. To cut products, simply use a cutting board, this will eliminate the possibility of accidentally cutting or marking the surface.

2. Hot, avoid direct contact.

Placing extremely hot objects on your oven or stovetop can possibly damage your countertop. When cooking or working with other items that cause extreme heat, remember to always place a heat resistant item between the cooking surface and the object, a good example would be placing a pot holder or keeping pots and pans in the oven.

3. Move heavy objects

Heavy objects mixed with sudden impacts can chip the edges, for example moving a microwave and accidentally dropping it on the counter can cause chipping of the edges. Our recommendation when moving heavy items is to be careful, place items slowly and with purpose, or simply avoid contact.

While these tips seem like common sense, they are extremely important, once a countertop is damaged, you must either live with the blemish or replace the laminate entirely.