How To Clean Kitchen Worktops (Methods For Every Type Of Surface)

Ready to get your kitchen looking spik and span? Learning how to clean kitchen worktops doesn’t have to be complicated. However, before you dig out your favourite cleaning products, you must know how to do it right. Your approach will depend mainly on the type of worktop you have. This hardware can be made from various materials — from laminate and granite to marble and wood. Each one requires an entirely different cleaning method. Fortunately, we’ve got you covered with the answers.

Within this guide, we will take a look at how to clean stains off the kitchen counter. No matter what type of worktop you have, there’s a simple way that you can get this right. The good news is that you don’t have to set aside more than half an hour for this task. Here’s everything you need to know about how to clean kitchen worktops with seven approaches.

1. Granite Worktops

Granite worktops are durable. That is because the material is sealed well. If this type of material didn’t have a solid seal on top of it, it would simply soak up any liquid that you pour on it. Luckily, that is not the case when it comes to kitchen worktops. By the time you get this surface installed, it has already been treated well, so it doesn’t absorb moisture.

However, that’s not to say that you can use harsh cleaning products. It’s worth keeping in mind that granite can be somewhat fragile. For that reason, you need to use gentle cleaning methods to keep it looking new. You should clean your granite worktops directly after you make food for the best results. When you are ready to get things started, follow these simple steps to make your kitchen surface shine:

• Step 1: Get some warm soapy water in a bucket
• Step 2: Grab a microfibre cloth, dip it, and ring it out
• Step 3: Wipe down any dirty areas
• Step 4: Pay close attention to the corners of the granite
• Step 5: Get a dry microfibre cloth and pat down the area

You should find that the marks come off the kitchen worktop in no time. When cleaning granite worktops, it’s always important to ensure they are 100% dry.

2. Stainless Steel Worktops

Next up, let’s take a look at stainless steel worktops. When it comes to what to clean kitchen counters with, you have to choose the right tools for the job. Stainless steel is easy to clean in the first instance. However, you may find annoying streaks and marks on them. If that’s the case, you must take extra care when cleaning them. Here’s what you need to do to make sure that your stainless steel worktops look shiny and new:

• Step 1: Mix washing-up liquid and water together
• Step 2: Grab a soft sponge, dip it, and ring it out
• Step 3: Wipe down your worktop quickly
• Step 4: Dry your stainless steel worktop with a cloth
• Step 5: Use The Pink Stuff to clean any smudges

Those irritating smudges can be hard to shift. So, for the last step, dip a cloth into The Pink Stuff and shine your worktop. You can use a circular motion to eliminate any of these marks. The cloth should help you get the smooth finish you need.

3. Marble Worktops

Marble worktops not only look amazing, but they are also super easy to clean. Once again, you need to make sure that you are wiping down your surfaces whenever you prepare any food on them. That way, you can avoid a nasty build-up over time. Learning how to clean a kitchen counter doesn’t have to be complicated. Here’s how you make sure that yours shines:

• Step 1: Mix some hot water with soap
• Step 2: Grab a soft sponge, dip it, and ring it
• Step 3: Wipe your marble worktop with the sponge
• Step 4: Dry the surface with a towel or microfibre cloth

Are you looking for an easy clean? You should find that the above process helps you wipe your marble worktops. Whenever your surfaces look dirty, give them a quick once-over.

4. Formica Worktops

When you’re cleaning your Formica worktops daily, you can use the same process you would use for a marble worktop. However, should you find that you get some marks on them, you might need to take a tougher approach. The truth is that many people shy away from learning how to clean stains off a kitchen counter, but it’s not complicated. If there’s a stain that you can’t seem to get rid of, here’s what you need to do:

• Step 1: Mix together baking soda and white wine vinegar
• Step 2: Grab a soft sponge and dip it in the solution
• Step 3: Apply the solution directly to the Formica worktop
• Step 4: Leave the solution on there for 10-20 minutes
• Step 5: Rinse and dry the area completely

Remember that you don’t want to use anything too acidic on your Formica worktops. For example, be sparing when using white wine vinegar, as it has high acidity levels.

5. Laminate Worktops

Do you have laminate worktops? We’ve got you covered if you’re looking for the best way to clean kitchen counters. These popular surfaces can be cleaned quickly and easily. However, one of the problems that people tend to come up against is streaking. The last thing you want is nasty lines ruining your hard work. Here’s what you should do:

• Step 1: Mix together some gentle soap and water
• Step 2: Get a sponge, dip it, and ring it
• Step 3: Wipe down the area and attack any marks
• Step 4: Grab a microfibre cloth to dry the worktop
• Step 5: Use warm water and vinegar spray
• Step 6: Wipe the surface to get rid of any streaks

Following the above approach, you should find that your laminates are super clean. As we have mentioned, learning to clean laminate kitchen worktops doesn’t take too long. You can use this method whenever you need to get the job done.

6. Wooden Worktops

If you want to clean wooden worktops, you’ve come to the right place. Whenever you get a hardwood worktop, it will have been treated well. That means it should not be porous, so it won’t soak up any liquid you use on it. That’s great news when it comes to cleaning it. Here’s what you need to know to get started:

• Step 1: Mix together hot water and soap
• Step 2: Wipe down the surface with a cloth
• Step 3: Use a light bleach solution for stains
• Step 4: Dry the surface with a clean cloth

You should find that this approach takes no time at all. Whether you’re cleaning solid wood worktops or oak worktops, you should find that the above method works well for you.

Don't forget to get any bleach smells off your hands after. 

Ready to get cleaning? Now that you know how to clean kitchen worktops, nothing should be holding you back. Make sure you keep on top of this essential kitchen chore while cleaning. Doing a little wiping often will make a big difference to how the worktops look.

Q&A

Did we miss something? Let’s quickly look at some frequently asked questions (FAQs) and answers. Here’s what you need to know:

What is the best way to clean kitchen worktops?

As we have covered here, the best way to clean your kitchen worktop depends entirely on the material. You should use a different approach for each type of surface. Take a look at our complete guide to figure out which one is right for you.

How do you clean quartz worktops?

You don’t need any fancy cleaning products to clean quartz worktops. Instead, mix warm water and soap solution. Then, you can use a clean cloth to wipe down these surfaces.

What is the best cleaner for laminate worktops?

The best cleaner is often the simplest one! For example, when cleaning laminate worktops, you should use a combination of washing-up liquid or soap and warm water.

Can you use vinegar on stone countertops?

The short answer is no. When cleaning stone kitchen worktops, you need a gentle, non-acidic cleaner. For that reason, you should avoid using any vinegar-based solution. Instead, you can use warm water and a mild soap solution.

What kind of worktop do you have? Let us know in the comments below!