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Can you use bleach on laminate countertops?
Bleach is one of the most effective and affordable cleaning products. Bleach fights bacteria and cleans kitchen surfaces. Homeowners often use bleach when cleaning dirty areas such as the bathroom and kitchens. While considering bleach as an effective cleaner, it does also have its downsides.
Will bleach damage laminate countertops?
Yes. Bleach is a harsh and robust cleaning product that can damage your countertop coating. The bleach could damage your laminate countertops and, in some cases, can create permanent discolouration. Because of this, we won’t recommend bleach as your top cleaning product.
Many people use bleach on their countertops. But we’re recommending not using it because as time goes on, it will eventually stain your lovely worktop. Especially if you leave the bleach to sit for a longer period of time.
Some manufacturers says you can use bleach as longs as it’s been diluted with water. But I would rather be safe than sorry, you don’t want any stains due to using bleach.
How to I get rid of a yellow bleach stain on my countertop?
If you’ve managed to get yellow stain on your countertops due to stains, here’s a simple solution. Use the Arm & Hammer scrub free with oxy, bathroom cleaner.
Spray it on the effected area and let it sit for a few minutes. Then wipe it off. repeat this a few times and you should see the yellow stain disappear.
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How to Remove Stains from Laminate Countertop
Will acetone damage laminate countertops?
Laminate is a solid material to which germs don’t easily stick. Laminates are prone to stains such as coffee, glue and red wine. When this happens, people often use acetone to clean those marks.
Acetone is a harsh solvent ingredient that is usually present in nail polish remover and people use this ingredient as a solution to help them remove stubborn stains.
Yes. Acetone is a harsh chemical that can damage the counter’s coating. We won’t recommend using acetone on your laminate countertops. It’ll cause the fibre in the glue to crack up. The chemical is strong enough to damage the laminate’s finish.
Sure, at first you won’t see the negative effects of acetone but as time goes on it will wear down your countertop. This can lead to cloudy looking streaks and discoloration.
Since acetone will only damage your countertop as time goes on, you can use it a handful of times during the life of your countertop. Let’s say there’s an extremely tough stain that refused to come out with soap and water, acetone can help remove the stain. Let’s say there’s glue stuck, that’s when you came bring out a harsh cleaner like acetone.
Remember, when it comes to removing stains on laminate countertops, you want to use the mildest methods first and work your way up to the more harsher cleaners. This will stretch the life of your countertop as far as possible and keep it look great.
How to use acetone to remove glue and adhesive from laminate countertop
1. First, take a putty knife and remove as much residue as you can without damaging the surface. So don’t dig in too deep with the putty knife, you want to take as much of a chunk off as possible.
2. Next, use some warm water and soap to remove as much of the residue as you can. It’s all about using a mild cleaner first and working your way up if needed.
3. Dip a cotton ball into the acetone and apply the acetone to the glue. Let it sit for a few minutes and use the putty knife to remove the glue. If there’s still glue left, repeat this step.
4. Last but not least, use a damp cloth to remove any residue.
Will rubbing alcohol damage laminate countertops?
Rubbing alcohol has many benefits. It’s practical to kill germs, including bacteria, viruses and fungi. It’s used to sterilize laminate countertop surfaces.
Yes. Alcohol is a powerful cleaning agent on counters and is strong enough to kill bacteria and viruses. But since it contains ethanol, rubbing alcohol can damage the laminate’s finishes.
Rubbing alcohol like any cleaner has its pros and cons.
Pros:
- It kills bacteria
- Removes oily residue
- Removes stains
- Cheap and easy to find
Cons:
- Can leave dull spots after a long usage period
- Can cause dry skin
- May remove laminate’s protective coating
It does a fantastic job when it comes to killing bacteria. Let’s say you’ve prepared food and you handled raw chicken, rubbing alcohol can be used to kill any bacteria on the surface.
As time goes on, using rubbing alcohol will dull your surface and lead to a cloudy discolored counter. We would recommend mixing the alcohol with a bit of water to help reduce the harsh chemical’s reaction.
Rubbing alcohol does a great job when it comes to removing stains. Let’s say you’ve spilled some coffee, juice etc. You can the the rubbing alcohol to help wipe it up.
However, we would recommend using warm water with a cloth before trying to alcohol. Always start with a mild liquid cleaner before working your way up to a harsh cleaner.
It’s cheap and easy to find so you can pop into a local store and you should be able to find it with no problem.
If you can avoid rubbing alcohol, avoid it. As mentioned, it’s a harsh cleaner. A great alternative is a vinegar based cleaner. Mix the vinegar with some water and use a microfiber cloth to abolish stains and give it a nice polish at the same time.
If it is a last resort and you haven’t got any other option, make sure to use gloves if you’ve got sensitive skin. The rub may lead to irritation and dry skin.
Car Wax And Countertop Surfaces
Car wax helps to repair scratches and shine to the surface areas while protecting them from stains. Car wax helps to add a shine to furniture and surfaces. Car wax doesn’t only give a shine effect but also acts as a protectant.
Can you use car wax on a laminate countertop?
Yes. You can use car wax on laminate countertops to make it shine. The car wax is also acting as a protector. Apply it in circular motions on a countertop and allow it to stand for approximately 10 minutes. Consider using a clean cloth to get rid of all the remaining wax.
The Best Plastic Laminate Countertop
Most homeowners choose plastic laminate countertops, especially for their kitchen. Laminates are one of the best countertops due to their attractive features and benefits. The laminate is affordable and only requires a little maintenance.
Laminates have the most extended lifespan when adequately taken care of. But the downside is that plastic laminate is prone to burns, marks and scratches. When it’s necessary to replace your laminate, you can easily apply it over the existing one.
In this case, you won’t need to spend a lot of money. Laminate countertops have a wide range of designs, colours and patterns available.
Which Cleaners Can be Used on Laminate Countertops?
Cleaning Plastic Laminate Countertops
The plastic laminate countertop is waterproof and easy to clean. When cleaning laminate counters, we recommend using a soft cloth with warm water and mild liquid soap. You can also use a double-sided sponge that includes fibre on the other side. Rinse with a little bit of water.
The fabric side plays a significant role in removing grease and food spills. Do not pour a lot of water into the laminate, as it may spike through and cause the coating to swell. Cleaning up spills right away will prevent marks from appearing in the area. If the spills don’t clear up immediately, it will be difficult to remove stains.
There is a chance that laminate shows marks. In this case, you must use a glass cleaner to help it return to its natural appearance. Soft furniture wax will also prevent your laminate countertops from getting stains and scratches.
Avoiding Cleaners With Harsh Chemicals
We recommend avoiding cleaners that contain the following ingredients:
- hydrochloric acid
- sulfuric acid
- hydrofluoric acid
- phosphoric acid
- sodium hydroxide
- pumice
- ammonia
- sodium hypochlorite
- acid-alkali
- steel wool
Rubbing powders can also permanently damage the surface area, prone to stains and marks. Ceramics, including natural finish materials and other sharp objects can also damage the laminates. Avoid putting these things onto the surface area.
These cleaners will also permanently discolour the laminate surface. It would be best if you cleaned up spills from any of these chemicals right away. Make sure to rinse the area with water.
Cleaners That Will Damage Your Laminate Countertop
- Ceramic Hob Cleaners
- Chlorine Bleach
- Drain Cleaners
- Toilet Tub and Bowl Cleaners
- Tile Cleaners
- Lime Scale and Rust Removers
- Oven Cleaners
- Coffee Pot Cleaners
- Metal Cleaners
- Some Disinfectants
- Some Countertops Cleaners
These harsh chemicals can mar, etch, rust, or permanently discolour the surface.
