How to take care of worktops in the kitchen

Worktop in the kitchen

New worktops are increasingly technological and increasingly versatile, both for kitchens and bathrooms. The worktops of the latest generation are now widely used in all contexts, from classic to modern style interiors.

The worktops are not, however, all the same. A difference as concerns aesthetic side means different specifications, as well as the maintenance will also be different.

Quartz worktop

Among all manufacturers of quartz surfaces, Silestone^® is certainly one of the leading companies. These are the most important features of a Silestone^® worktop:

high durability

the consistency and compactness of the color

built-in active antibacterial protection

the low level of maintenance required

As regards this last feature, this is due to the manufacturing process that allows having a surface with a very low porosity, without any use of sealing compounds and this prevents the absorption of any liquid.

The excellent physical and mechanical characteristics are accompanied by the Microban^® Antibacterial Protection System, for the best hygiene guarantee. That's why this is one of the favourite materials for the production of worktops in such particular environments, from the point of view of hygiene to be observed, which are bathrooms and kitchens.

This antibacterial protection is incorporated during the manufacturing process, therefore lasts until the end of cycle of life of the product and cannot be eliminated by the action of normal detergents.

Cleaning the quartz worktop

As for everyday cleaning, simply use a soft cloth and warm soapy water, which is all is needed to clean common stains, including oil, wine and coffee stains, for example.

For larger stains, clean the entire area with a mild type of detergent, making sure to rinse well. For blemished areas, then, the company recommends the two products of the brand, Q-or Q-Action Force, to be applied to the stain, leaving it standing to act for 2 minutes.

A common specific detergent is sufficient to remove traces of water and limestone, of course, but beware of the detergent components: it is absolutely forbidden the use of bleach products. Other chemicals to be avoided are acetone, caustic soda, the diluents for paints, all compounds with dichloromethane (also known as methylene chloride or DCM), or those detergents for oven and grill, with high content of alkaline and PH substances.

Precautions for quartz worktop

Silestone^® is highly resistant to heat, tolerating very high temperatures, even if for short periods. It must be avoided, however, any sudden thermic shock, especially near the edges, so it is recommended to avoid placing hot pot directly on the Silestone^® surface.

Another advice concerns the use of knives and blades, never directly on the surface, even if we are talking about an extremely durable material. Use chopping boards.

Laminate worktop

The laminate worktop is by far the most popular among worktops, thanks to the economic factor and the greatest of ease of cleaning and maintenance, especially in a kitchen, much less in bathroom.

It usually consists of a panel of wood particles in E1 clasification, 38 mm thick, water-repellent (V 100), covered with a sheet of high pressure HPL laminate.

The laminate (the images are from Lube company ) consists of sheets of paper and resins, in particular melamine resin and phenolic resin, depending on whether it is used for the decorative layer or for lower support.

The laminate worktop is quite resistant against abrasion and impact, is anti-scratch and is also quite resistant against heat and most chemicals.

Despite these features, however, you should be very careful to lean hot pots directly on worktop, when just taken off the fire, you should always use a pot support. Avoid cutting directly on the surface, to avoid the risk that knife or blades should undermine the laminate sheet.

For daily cleaning, just use any degreasing detergent that you usually find at the shop, diluted with water, or a cloth with warm water, as long as you have the foresight to dry thoroughly. The laminate, in fact, by its very nature, although is waterproof, does not particularly like situations with the presence of liquid for too long.

If your worktop is covered with glossy laminate surface, avoid using steel wools or abrasive sponges and, in the case of use of non-neutral detergent, such as common descaling detergents, avoid spraying them directly on the surface, or at least rinse immediately , for avoiding giving opacity to the glossy finish.

Stratified laminate worktop

In the family of laminate worktops much more leakproofness is offered by stratified laminate worktop, that, thanks to the type of material used and the particular production process, is capable of giving best performance for the same use, with less maintenance.

This type of worktop is particularly resistant, it can stand the heat and the presence of water or any other liquid and these characteristics make it liked better than simple laminate, in the case of angular worktop, with an angular sink, where you could have seepage of water in the joints.

It is easier to clean, even with normal detergents. Even the hot pot resting directly, even if for a short time, gives no problems, as well as there are no problems with sudden changes of temperature, light, frost, fire in Class 1, cigarette burns.

It is also available today in the Solid type (see Aurora Kitchens ) with a total thickness of 6 cm: compact monochromatic laminate of 1.2 cm inside, and in 5 color variations outside.