How to Keep Your Kitchen Looking as Good as New

Once you have had a brand new kitchen installed, it’s time to enjoy your pristine counter tops, extra storage spaces and multifaceted sinks but don’t forget to maintain it’s sheen with a good thorough clean. This month, UK Kitchens are here to offer top tips and tricks so you can keep your kitchen looking as good as new.

Know-how: cleaning worktops

Cleaning granite surfaces
This diverse worktop can be found in a multitude of homes because it’s attractive and extremely durable but there are things you must do to ensure it stays in a good condition.

If you’ve recently had granite worktops installed, it’s extremely likely they’ve been properly sealed but to check, place a few drops of water onto the surface. If it seeps into the material, it needs to be resealed but if it beads together, your granite is fully secure.

To clean your granite use warm water and standard dish soap on a soft cloth and work across the surface in circular motions, this will remove food bits and lift any marks. Avoid acidic and other harsh chemicals on your granite counter tops because invasive cleaners and fruits such as lemon and lime can break down and weaken the sealant that protects your work surface. To further clean any water streaks on your granite, use a microfiber cloth to polish.

Cleaning soapstone surfaces
These worktops are relatively easy to take care of and keep clean because they are resistant to irritating stains and heat – which is why soapstone can be found in restaurant kitchens.

Always use gentle dish soap or ‘stone soap’ when wiping down the entire surface and remember to rinse thoroughly, and dry with a microfiber cloth afterwards – keeping scratches at bay. Should you notice multiple scratches on your soapstone, you can tackle this by using thin sandpaper over the scratched areas, once using dry sandpaper and go over it with wet sandpaper. To finish, use a soft sponge and apply a little olive oil over the sanded areas to bring it back to its natural colour.

Cleaning quartz surfaces
For a full cleaning regime, use glass or mild cleaning detergent to disinfect and remove any spots of dust and dirt and wipe in a circular motion with a non abrasive sponge. Always use chopping boards when cooking and trivets to keep hot pots and pans away from your surface because the heat can give quartz a thermal shock, which causes deep cracks and permanent damage.

Cleaning laminate surfaces
These worktops have a wide appeal because of their ability to imitate other materials that can be much more expensive. So to maintain its lustre, a simple mild soapy clean will be more than enough and avoid chopping any food directly on the surface.

Cleaning stainless steel surfaces
Although associated with industrial kitchens and medical environments, stainless steel surfaces are up and coming to quirky bars and even into our homes! That’s because this material is strong, flexible, corrosion and stain resistant, making it easy to clean and easy to sanitise because bacteria cannot soak in.

To clean stainless steel surfaces, you can apply a little dish soap and wash down with a wet sponge and dry off with a towel. For a deeper clean you will need: water, dish soap, vinegar, bicarbonate of soda, soft cloth, microfiber cloth and a soft brush. Lightly-mist the surface with a gentle soap solution – wipe with soft cloth and dry with microfiber cloth. Next, dip the soft brush into vinegar and cover the surface lightly, remove with microfiber cloth. For added sheen, you can apply a small amount of olive oil.

Basic methods to keep your kitchen worktops looking great

When you’re not doing a deep clean, help yourself out along the way by:

  • Blotting spills quickly
  • Placing hot trays on protective mats
  • Using chopping boards

These simple kitchen care tips will help to preserve your tops.

Know-how: cleaning cupboards

For most homeowners, cleaning the work surfaces is enough but you might want to take a moment to think about the dust, dirt and bacteria that’ll naturally build up on your kitchen cupboards. It needn’t be a daily ritual but once a month will make a big difference to your kitchen’s overall finish.

Before you start cleaning your cabinets dust them down, this’ll make cleaning them much easier. Next use a damp microfiber cloth and gentle soap to lift any grease or food residue and leave for a minute before wiping down with a dry cloth.

For wooden cabinets, wipe along the grain and avoid washing in a circular motion. If they’re looking particularly dull, use an oil-soap to bring back its shine – this will also help to lift stubborn sticky stains too.

Know-how: cleaning sinks

You’d assume that sinks are self-cleaning, what with the amount of soap and water that flows around the bowl but this is not the case. Food and drink stains, soap scum and water spots naturally build up over time. We’re not saying that you need to clean your sink every day but once a month or every other month will keep it sparkling.

For a quick general wash of stainless steel sinks, ceramic sinks or enamel sinks, you can use dish washing soap a little warm water on a sponge, and gently scrub until it’s clean. If you wish to perform a deeper clean, try using an all-purpose, non-abrasive cleaner.

 

If you’re looking for quality, design and professional advice, turn to UK Kitchens. We’re a family run business that takes pride in supplying durable kitchens and flawless fittings. Take a look around our showroom to see the quality for yourself or, alternatively, call today for your free home visit. We operate throughout Nottingham and the surrounding areas.