If you’ve found yourself with some extra time at home this week, you may be looking for ways to clean more than just your hands.
While keeping surfaces around the home has always been important, thanks to the Coronavirus, it’s become a top priority.
What are the best products to use for your kitchen or bath countertop?
Below are some of the commonly used surfaces used in home design and recommendations from the manufacturer on how to clean each one without causing any damage to the finish.
Corian® Solid Surface
- To disinfect, occasionally wipe the surface with diluted household bleach – 1:100 (5 Tbsp. of bleach to 1 gallon of water)
- Common household and commercial cleaners that are OKAY to use: Ammonia-based, strong detergents, oxalic acid solutions, dilute hydrochloric acid solutions, dilute trisodium phosphate solutions
- Products that should NOT be used: Acid drain cleaners, strong chlorinated solvents, or very strong acids
- Corian® was selected as the predominant material used throughout the Patient Room 2020 project because of it’s hygienic properties
- Corian® Solid Surface is a non-porous material, that when properly cleaned, does not support the growth of mold, mildew or bacteria and is GREENGUARD Listed for microbial resistance
For full instructions on how to care and maintain your Corian® Solid surface, click here.
Corian® Quartz
- For routine cleaning, simply wipe down your countertop with a damp cloth or paper towel, and, if necessary, a small amount of non-bleach, non-abrasive cleanser
- Chemicals that should NOT be used with Corian® Quartz surfaces: Chlorine-based products such as bleach or cleaners containing bleach, high pH cleaners, strong or concentrated acids, solvents, oil soaps, and bluing agents
- Corian® Quartz is a non-porous material, that when properly cleaned, does not support the growth of mold, mildew or bacteria and is GREENGUARD Listed for microbial resistance
For full instructions on how to care and maintain your Corian® Quartz surface, click here.
FENIX® NTM & NTA
We use this material in Miralis cabinetry for extremely durable doors. It can be used in both countertop and cabinetry applications.
- To disinfect, use warm water with soap or a mild household detergent, leaving it to work, and then wash with disinfectant detergents
- Products that should NOT be used with FENIX® materials: bleach and heavily-chlorinated products, strongly acidic or alkaline products, products containing abrasive substances, micro-abrasive sponges, or unsuitable materials such as sandpaper or steel wool
- FENIX surfaces have a unique non-porous external layer, allowing the material to stay clean with everyday care and cleaning methods
For full instructions on how to care and maintain your FENIX® surface, click here.
Cambria
For cleanup with ease, all you need is soap, warm water, and a soft cloth. If you wish to take the extra step of disinfecting your surfaces, please see the following list of Cambria-approved disinfectants that meet Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines.
- 70 percent isopropyl rubbing alcohol
- Homemade spray mixture of 4 teaspoons of bleach and 1 quart of water. Let this solution sit on the surface for 30 seconds, then wipe with a dry cloth. Next, rinse the surface with clean water and dry with a soft cloth.
- Lysol® Disinfectant Spray
- Professional Lysol® Disinfectant Spray
Never use full strength bleach or abrasive powders or scrubs like Comet®, Soft Scrub®, or S.O.S.® pads. Such products will cause the surface to appear dull or inconsistent.
Click here for a list of approved cleaners.
For full instructions on how to care and maintain your Cambria surface, click here.
Arpa High-Pressure Laminate
- The compact and non-porous surface of the HPL can easily be cleaned with hot water, steam, and all types of common detergents and disinfectants for domestic use, as long as they are not alkaline
- Bleaches or heavily chlorinated products should also be avoided
For full instructions on how to care and maintain your Arpa HPL surface, click here.
Caesarstone® Quartz
Caesarstone’s hard, nonporous surface makes it a breeze to clean. In most cases, a little soap and water or a touch of mild detergent is all you need.
For tougher stains, a non-abrasive cleaner or a mild degreaser can go a long way. Stuck-on materials like food, gum, or nail polish can be scraped away with a plastic putty knife, and any marks left by the blade can be easily removed with Bar Keepers Friend (spray or cream). Rinse with cold water to wash away the residue, and your surface is as good as new.
For full instructions on how to care and maintain your Caesarstone quartz surface, click here and here.