Epoxy is a new material that is being used to create beautiful and durable countertop surfaces. They are flame-resistant, moisture resistant, and tolerate harsh chemical spills and other challenges really well. These countertops have been used in lab settings for years and have just now been moved to use in homes and for outdoor kitchens.
If you have been thinking about adding an epoxy countertop to your home or outside space, that is great! You will be so pleased that you added this durable countertop material to your home. You might have questions about caring for your new epoxy countertops. If you want to learn more about caring for these types of counters, read on!
What is Epoxy?
Epoxy is actually a refinishing product that is used to cover up a laminate, wood, concrete, or ceramic base. The epoxy on top of the other materials leads to a shiny and durable surface that offers the beauty of the other products without the requirement for excess maintenance or other care.
Epoxy can be used to cover many fragile surfaces, and it makes those materials stand out with a high-gloss finish that is beautiful in many applications. The process of pouring these counters requires specific skills and it can be messy, but the end result is worth all the effort and the clean-up after the fact.
Always make sure to have a qualified installer put in your epoxy countertops because the process is a bit delicate. Installers know how much material to use and how to prevent bubbles and other imperfections in the countertop surface. This is a very hard product to install yourself and it will cost you more to have a ruined counter removed and replaced than it will to hire a professional to do the installation correctly.
Maintaining Epoxy Counters
Epoxy is very durable but it can be damaged by certain cleaning products. You will need to know all of the cleaning products to avoid, as well as the maintenance requirements of these surfaces so that your counters can last for years.
No Abrasives and No Wax
The one hard and fast rule above all others for cleaning epoxy countertops is no abrasives! You should never use any all-purpose cleaners or any scouring type of cleaning pads on your epoxy counters or you will damage them. There is nothing worse than cleaning your epoxy counters with an abrasive cleanser and then having to replace them.
Also, make sure that you don’t use any cleaning product with wax in it either and always make sure not to use wax on epoxy surfaces.
No Alcohol
Alcohol is often used as a disinfectant but it can ruin the finish on your epoxy counters. Alcohol breaks down the epoxy and can actually destroy your countertops. Always make sure to check that none of your cleaning products contain any alcohol or you will pit or melt your counters.
You would be surprised at how many cleaning products contain alcohol! Even products that proclaim to be safe for all kinds of surfaces will sometimes contain small amounts of alcohol. Do your research and be sure not to pick the wrong over-the-counter cleansing products for your counters.
Steam Cleaning is Okay
Steam cleaning might seem like it would be harmful to your epoxy counters but this is actually one of the safest ways to clean your epoxy counters. The steam and the heat can actually loosen stains or grime on the surface of your epoxy counters and you can then wipe off the material that was not coming off readily.
You can use a small or a large steam cleaner for this process. Either will work. Just choose the right size cleaner for your space and steam away!
Use the Right Kind of Cloth
You always want to be sure to wipe up stains that occur quickly so that they do not become set on the surface of your counters. A regular rag or towel will work just fine so long as it is free of grit or other abrasive substances.
If you want to pick the perfect cloth for your clean-up process, grab some chamois cloths to keep on hand. These are highly absorbent and they are extremely soft. They will never scratch or ding the surface of an epoxy counter like some more abrasive towels might.
Pick the Right Cleansing Product
Picking the right cleaning products is essential to the care of your epoxy counters. You will always want to pick cleaners that are gentle and that do not have wax or alcohol in them.
Mild dish soap and water is the perfect cleanser to use on your epoxy countertops, and you can also use mineral or Murphy’s Oil once a month to add shine and provide a boost to the sealant on your counter surface. Do avoid using too many oily products as this can create a dullness or haziness on your countertops.
If you have a significant spill to clean up that seems to have stained your countertop, you can use a small dollop of acetone or paint thinner to clean off the stain. Make sure to wipe it up almost immediately to prevent pitting or other damage to the surface of the counter.
Caring for Your Epoxy Counters is Easy
Caring for epoxy countertops is actually quite simple. A good rule of thumb is to err on the side of using the gentlest cleaners you can buy. You can always just opt for dish soap and water if you are in doubt about other cleaners in your home and you will be pleased with how easy it is to clean up your epoxy counters with such a basic cleanser.Epoxy counters will last for many years if you care for them correctly. This is a beautiful low-maintenance countertop material that can be used for many different applications. If you have decided to include epoxy countertops in your home, you will enjoy their beauty and durability for years to come.
