How to Care for Your Formica Countertop
Tuesday, July 1st, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed
Introduction
Formica is a brand of amalgamated material chiefly constructed by the Formica Corporation. Formica is a classic creation made into a heat-resistant, wipe-clean, plastic laminate of paper or fabric with melamine resin. This material has been a popular countertop material for decades. Because of its low cost, wide range of Formica countertop colors, ease of maintenance, and durability, it is often a choice for countertops today.
We will focus on the issue of maintenance of your Formica countertop in this post. By comparison to some countertop materials, Formica countertops are relatively simple to care for.
Cleaning and Care
Though it has relatively high durability compared to the overall cost of the material, the Formica countertop requires attentive care and maintenance to retain its value and appearance. Luckily, daily care and cleaning is a simple matter of applying soap and water. As this material can sometimes streak, apply some window cleaner directly to the mix of soap and water or use after to leave a uniform shine to the surface of the countertop. It is an amazingly easy.
One point to keep firmly in mind with Formica countertops and especially with Formica countertop colors: don’t use an abrasive cleanser when attempting to clean off a more resistant substance or spill. You can easily mar the surface of your Formica in this manner. Clean up spills promptly, especially any substance known to stain, and do it with a mild agent. This should safeguard your investment over time.
Preventative Maintenance
Certain precautions must be taken when using Formica countertops and especially concerning the Formica countertop colors. Though it is indeed a resistant and durable surface, if it is not cared for properly, it will wear-out prematurely. A key point to bear in mind is that it is plastic based, and like all plastic it can burn, tear, or rip. The cutting of meats or vegetables should always be done on a separate cutting board or other purpose designed surface. It is a simple matter to gash and cut Formica countertops. They will also scratch relatively easily. Be wary of any sharp instruments used on your counter.
A definate action to avoid is anything hot like an iron or heated pots and pans. Do not place these items directly on Formica countertops. Formica countertop colors are subject to discoloration at the least and a complete burn through the Formica at worst.
Another form of burn is that from acids or other corrosive compounds (such as hot cooking grease). These will easily eat through your Formica countertop and ruin it, most likely necessitating total replacement based on where the burn occurred. A particular weakness with Formica countertops is that their seams are susceptible to coming apart. Water or other damage can cause them to separate. From there it is simply a matter of time before the problem becomes more serious.
Bottom Line
If you follow these simple guidelines, your Formica countertop will last for years to come. This type of countertop will save you some money, but only if you can commit to caring for it properly. If not, you will just be spending money to replace it later on. If you don’t think you can commit to this type of care and maintenance, you should probably spend some extra money for a more durable type of countertop.
Formica countertops and Formica countertop colors are a beautiful addition to any home. Formica is inexpensive, comes in many colors and textures, and is easy to clean and maintain. It will give you years of service on any countertop. The chief thing to remember is that it requires care to keep its original appearance and utility. Unlike other materials, if you let it go or don’t protect it, it will most likely have to be replaced before the end of its useful life. If you think you are not the type of person to apply continuous care and would prefer something less time or care intensive, consider buying a tough substance like cultured stone or even decorative concrete.
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November 11th, 2008 at 2:50 pm
I need a professionals help!!
Just recently had a new fomica kitchen counter top put down. Was using the corrosive drain opener and left the bottle sitting on the counter top…BULL SHIT DAMAGE. Not thinking, there was a very small amount of the drain liquid at the bottom of the bottle and permanently scuffed/corroded the counter, leaving a partial circle of the shape of the bottle.
What would be the best solution to fix. The countertop is a black with light grey/blue flects, emulating a granite type look.
Kind regards,
Franz
Toronto