Stainproofing countertops?
July 2, 2010 10:19 AM Subscribe
My apartment's kitchen countertops stain and scratch very easily. I suspect this is because they're made of the cheapest materials known to man. Is there any chemical or coating I can apply to them that will make them more stain resistant?
The countertops are white and pick up dirt and scratches like a magnet. I'd like some way to make them more stainproof, preferably at a low price.
The countertops are white and pick up dirt and scratches like a magnet. I'd like some way to make them more stainproof, preferably at a low price.
Response by poster: Some type of vinyl. Here are pictures: http://i48.tinypic.com/1z33vxl.jpg and http://i46.tinypic.com/2dazs3l.jpg
posted by Aanidaani at 10:27 AM on July 2, 2010
posted by Aanidaani at 10:27 AM on July 2, 2010
Be sure to use cutting boards.
Sounds obvious to some, but many wrongly assume a countertop is supposed to be a cutting surface.
posted by xndr at 10:35 AM on July 2, 2010
Sounds obvious to some, but many wrongly assume a countertop is supposed to be a cutting surface.
posted by xndr at 10:35 AM on July 2, 2010
Okay, so standard postformed high-pressure laminate. They should be reasonably durable. What sort of stains are you having issues with?
In any case, there's no magic sealer for them. Avoid abrasives (Scotchbrite, etc.) and, as xndr suggests, always use cutting boards.
posted by jon1270 at 10:45 AM on July 2, 2010
In any case, there's no magic sealer for them. Avoid abrasives (Scotchbrite, etc.) and, as xndr suggests, always use cutting boards.
posted by jon1270 at 10:45 AM on July 2, 2010
This is a laminate counter top and might go by the name of Formica or Wilsonart. Very popular in the seventies and still around because of its low cost. There are no "approved" ways to protect it from scratching because it was thought to be really tough. I have always used automobile wax (not polish) to put a hard, slick surface on counter tops. Get a good carnuba paste wax from your auto supply store. Do not get any of the "quick" "one-step" "easy" etc, products. Make sure your counter is squeaky clean and then apply a light amount, working in small areas. This will make pots and pans slide a little better and deliver a gloss that is little higher than what you see now.
posted by Old Geezer at 10:47 AM on July 2, 2010
posted by Old Geezer at 10:47 AM on July 2, 2010
Never put a hot pan or pot directly onto it. It will leave a burn stain you won't be able to get out. This fun fact courtesy of the previous tenant of an apartment I once rented.
posted by sageleaf at 11:16 AM on July 2, 2010
posted by sageleaf at 11:16 AM on July 2, 2010
If you're a renter, you shouldn't be changing the apartment without permission from your landlord.
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 12:56 PM on July 2, 2010
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 12:56 PM on July 2, 2010
Not sure about stain proofing, but I also have some of the cheapest apartment countertops known to man, and also white.
I use a "magic eraser" type cleaner, which gets the stains off everything, even the coffee-makin-station. You just wet it, squeeze the water out and wipe/scrub. You can re-use the same pad many times, and I've found the store brand knock-offs to be just as good and cheaper. If you haven't used this kind of product before it's a very fine abrasive, and doesn't have any odor and is easy on your hands.
I'll wipe down the counters with a regular cleaner just about everyday, then use the magic eraser once or twice a week to get any accumulated stains. I think I've had the same pad in use for 2 months, letting it dry out in between uses. I also have, like, 3 square feet of counter top to clean, so ymmv.
posted by fontophilic at 1:12 PM on July 2, 2010
I use a "magic eraser" type cleaner, which gets the stains off everything, even the coffee-makin-station. You just wet it, squeeze the water out and wipe/scrub. You can re-use the same pad many times, and I've found the store brand knock-offs to be just as good and cheaper. If you haven't used this kind of product before it's a very fine abrasive, and doesn't have any odor and is easy on your hands.
I'll wipe down the counters with a regular cleaner just about everyday, then use the magic eraser once or twice a week to get any accumulated stains. I think I've had the same pad in use for 2 months, letting it dry out in between uses. I also have, like, 3 square feet of counter top to clean, so ymmv.
posted by fontophilic at 1:12 PM on July 2, 2010
Another cheapass-apartment-countertop here: Comet and a scrubby sponge work well for getting stains out.
Turmeric I understand, but this countertop has an ability I never encountered before: it is able to pull the ink right off the printing on wet plastic bags.
Old Geezer's idea is interesting -- would the wax act as a stain barrier? And is it food-safe? I don't cut on them, but I do knead bread...
posted by We had a deal, Kyle at 4:53 PM on July 2, 2010
Turmeric I understand, but this countertop has an ability I never encountered before: it is able to pull the ink right off the printing on wet plastic bags.
Old Geezer's idea is interesting -- would the wax act as a stain barrier? And is it food-safe? I don't cut on them, but I do knead bread...
posted by We had a deal, Kyle at 4:53 PM on July 2, 2010
@Kyle, yes it acts as a pretty good stain barrier. Think about all of that water-beading-up-on-the-hood stuff. I'm not 100% certain that it is 100% food safe, but I'm 70 years old and it hasn't killed me yet. I assume you sprinkle a little flour on the counter before you knead, so I'm guessing you don't have much of a problem with the dough sticking? If it was me, I would knead on.
posted by Old Geezer at 5:02 PM on July 2, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by Old Geezer at 5:02 PM on July 2, 2010 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by jon1270 at 10:21 AM on July 2, 2010