In this post, we’ll be going over the reasons why your countertop is sticky as well as the fixes along with the types of countertop.
Feel free to use the table of contents to skip to the section you want.
Table of Contents
Why are my countertops sticky?
There can be many causes for sticky countertops, including spilt food and drink, grease and grime from cooking, and leftover residue from soapy and strong cleaners. Over time, sticky countertops can harbour bacteria and become unsanitary.
Sticky countertops are a common problem that most homeowners will face. We use our countertops to prepare and store food, make drinks, and we clean them with different cleansers and chemicals.
Particular food products such as honey or residue from cleaners that haven’t been washed off properly can be the cause of why your countertops are sticky.
Generally, the reason your countertops are sticky will be because of spilt food and drink.
Honey, sodas, and sweets left on the counter will leave behind a sticky trail which, once dried, can be a nightmare to clean off. Also, grease and grime from oils and from cooking can accumulate and make your countertops sticky.
And the hard surface of your kitchen countertops makes it easy for them to stick around. Over time, depending on what it is that’s stuck, bacteria might accumulate, or it might attract pests, for example, in the case of honey. You should clean residue off as soon as possible to avoid issues.
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An easy way to clean up leftovers or spilt food and drink is with a good cleaner.
A spray cleaner specifically designed for your type of countertop, or a homemade cleaner made of one-part vinegar to three parts water in a spray bottle and scrubbing with a soft cloth will help remove this sticky residue.
The other reason your worktop might be sticky is because of residue from cleaning. Strong cleaners, especially those that are store-bought, or soaps can leave behind a residue if not cleaned and washed off properly.
If you notice crustiness or white streaks, this is a sign that residue from cleaning has not been washed away properly. To clean any cleaning product residue, follow the cleaning steps outlined above.
Use either a store-bought cleaner specifically designed for your type of countertops or a water and vinegar mix.
Why are my laminate countertops sticky?
Laminate countertops can become sticky when food, drink, and grease is left to dry on the surface. Foods like honey and sugary drinks like sodas are common reasons for stickiness. Oils can make them sticky, however, laminate countertops are easy to clean with soap and water.
People choose laminate countertops for a variety of reasons but primarily because they’re economical and easy to clean.
The soft surface of laminate countertops makes them especially attractive to those who wish to make the inevitability of regular cleaning in the kitchen a breeze. But, just like any other type of countertop, laminate countertops can become sticky when food, drink, and other nasties interact or are allowed to dry on their surfaces.
Typically, the reasons your laminate countertops are sticky will be because of food and drink. It can also be because of grease. And, sometimes, it can be because of cleaning products that have not been rinsed away properly.
Food and beverages such as sweets, honey and sodas will make a mess and create stickiness when dried on your laminate countertops. Luckily, because of their soft top material, laminate countertops are especially easy to clean.
Stubborn grease from cooking oily and fatty foods are common perpetrators of stickiness on laminate countertops, as well as spillages. Over time, dirt and grime also build up to create sticky stubborn creases on your laminate countertops.
Even subtle cleaners, such as soapy water, can leave behind a residue that builds up over days and weeks and can harden, becoming hard to remove. But, because of the soft and smooth surface of laminate countertops, removing this kind of sticky residue shouldn’t be too difficult.
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Why are my granite countertops sticky?
A prominent cause of granite countertops becoming sticky is leftover residue from a sealer. Sometimes, during installation or resealing, the sealer is not cleaned up properly and can leave sticky streaks. Spilt food and beverages can also create sticky patches on natural granite stone countertops.
Granite countertops are becoming increasingly popular due to their hardiness and attractiveness as well as the natural beauty of the stone. Their non-porous surface makes them difficult to stain.
But, like any other countertop, granite countertops can also leave behind sticky patches for a variety of reasons. Along with the common culprits for a sticky countertop as outlined above, there is a particular possible reason exclusive to granite and other natural stone countertops.
Your granite countertop might be sticky because of leftover residue from the sealer used to make your quartz countertop strong. Sometimes, the installers or homeowners who used sealer do not clean up the residue.
This sealer then dries and can create a sticky, hazy mess on your granite countertops. To remove this will take some care. The longer sealer is left to dry on your granite countertop, the harder it will be to remove.
We recommend removing it as soon as possible. Try using Magic Eraser to gently scrub away the layers.
Why is my oiled worktop sticky?
Your oiled worktop can become sticky because the oil was not properly layered with the correct measurements or because of external chemicals and spills. Disinfectant spray used on oiled worktops can interact with the oil and cause sticky patches.
Oil is often used as a glaze that gives a lovely shine and aids in protecting and maintaining oiled worktops. Generally, oil is used on wooden worktops. Like anything else, the oil needs to be laid properly and maintained.
Sometimes, the type of oil used on a worktop can become sticky or create sticky patches. Disinfectant spray used on an oiled worktop surface can interact with the oil and cause stickiness.
If it isn’t applied correctly, using incorrect measurements so that it doesn’t adhere properly can also create stickiness. Also, sticky patches can be created if freshly laid oil has not been allowed to properly dry and food, drinks, and other things come into contact with it.
If this is the case for you and your oiled worktop has become sticky in places or even all over, it doesn’t have to be permanent, as there are ways you can clean it up. To properly clean your oiled worktops of sticky patches and to properly maintain them, you’ll need a clean soft wet cloth and spirit.
Apply a small amount of spirit to the cloth and rub gently in a circular motion. This will dissolve the stickiness in the oil.
Then simply polish. You can prevent stickiness on oiled worktops by properly layering using the right amount of oil and only using fresh oil whenever the surface needs redoing. And we recommend cleaning up spills such as those from drinks as soon as possible.
Also, avoid using disinfectant sprays and harsh chemical cleaners. Only use cleaners specifically designed for oiled worktops.
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