7 Ways You're Accidentally Ruining Your Countertops

Fresh and clean countertops can give class and style to any contemporary kitchen. However, since most of our experiments in cooking take place on them, they are often collateral damage from those experiments. You probably make some mistakes daily that may be accidentally ruining your countertops. Stay tuned if you want to avoid them and stick to that classy vibe for a long time.

1# Cutting things directly on it

The imperative of every countertop preservation is – never to cut directly onto a countertop when chopping. Instead, use a cutting board. Cutting straight on the surface may dull blades and cause damage to your countertops. Even the tiniest scratches on a natural stone countertop might compromise its water-tightness. Your defenses will get weaker over time as a result. So, don't cut your onions directly on them, and don't let your cat scratch its way on your countertop. Also, avoid using any stoneware containing silica sand, and use cutting boards frequently. Wrong cutting boards can also scratch it, so make sure to avoid:

• ceramic
• pizza stone
• china
• marble

2# Hot on cold is how countertops get old

Granite, marble, and quartz are just a few examples of stones that may be used to make beautiful and practical countertops since they are resistant to heat. Nonetheless, these stone surfaces may still be damaged by very hot things like pots and pans. Discoloration of the stone's surface and the weakening of any granite sealer may be caused by prolonged exposure to extreme heat.

In addition, the fluctuating temperatures produced by various home appliances may leave burn scars or even cause the material to shatter. So, always place a heat-resistant pad or trivet between the hot item and the tabletop to prevent burns. Also, don't let your kids play in the kitchen unsupervised because that can cause damage to it too.

3# Putting acidic food or liquor on it

Calcium carbonate is the chemical foundation of certain natural stone countertops, such as marble and granite. So, they are very vulnerable to acids. Stone countertops are susceptible to damage from acidic foods and liquids like vinegar, lemon juice, wine, and tomato sauce if they are not wiped up promptly. Discoloration and dull areas, often known as etching, may result from contact with certain chemicals. When faced with acid damage on your beautiful granite countertop, it's best to call for renewal services right away.

4# Using the same place every day

A kitchen is a place where habits are formed. Because of this, you are accidentally ruining your countertops. When you use the exact location on your countertops daily, you're also speeding up the process of wear and tear. Eventually, the wear and tear on that counter section brought on by your repeated use will become more prominent.

To prevent this, experts at usantini.com suggest moving around to various kitchen sections to minimize unequal damage to your stone worktops. In addition, you should always put a protective layer between your countertop and any items you set on it.

5# Making pools of water on it

A second way you could unintentionally damage your counters is by leaving water there for too long. Standing water may be quite damaging to your counters, despite your initial lack of concern about its potential effects. Also, it can turn into a flood that can damage your floors too.

When pools of water are left untouched for extended periods of time, a white crusty buildup and stains may occur, mainly if the water source is mineral-rich and hard. Spilled water or water rings left behind by a wet glass may discolor any countertop, even nonporous ones like granite or quartz.

Don't let the water sit and evaporate if you want to prevent this. Instead, quickly dry the surface with a soft towel after wiping up any spilled water. This will help keep the stone in good condition for the foreseeable future.

6# Poor cleaning methods

It would be best if you did not clean natural stone counters with bleach, vinegar, or ammonia. It's important to avoid using these products on your countertops since they will erode the stone and make it seem less shiny and polished. Similarly, antibacterial wipes may be rough on the stone if left there for too long. Avoid using abrasive cleaning tools like sponges, scourers, or brushes while wiping down granite or other stone surfaces. Scrubbing with a utensil like this will just scrape the surface of your counter. Use a clean paper towel or a soft microfiber cloth instead.

A suitable cleaning method is crucial when thoroughly cleaning before moving out. New and shiny countertops can mean the real difference. As professional movers say, this can add value to your whole property.

7# Adding excessive mass

Many individuals may want to sit or stand on their stone countertop to get to the top shelf, but you shouldn't. Since stone countertops are so heavy, they need to be anchored to a solid cabinet base. The surface of a countertop is easily damaged by the pressure exerted by heavy items or persons.

It can result in difficult cracks

Countertops are easily damaged by excessive weight, such as a large microwave or a person sitting on the surface, and stone fractures are most likely around unsupported joints or edges. These cracks are notoriously challenging to mend, and any effort to do so might end up costing you more than you had hoped.

Over time, putting too much weight on your stone countertops can cause further damage; even if you do it the first time or two, there are no apparent signs of wear.

Bottom line

If you caught yourself doing one of these things we mentioned above, don't worry. We all make these mistakes. The thing that it's important to take from here is to stop making these mistakes again if you want to prevent accidentally ruining your countertops. Of course, you cannot undo some of the errors that easily. So, don't fret about asking for help from professionals. There are always people eager to make your life easier!