Tips for Keeping Your Countertops in Great Shape During the Holidays
The holiday season is right around the corner, and you know what that means — lots of baking, cooking, parties, and, inevitably, messy countertops. To keep your natural stone in great shape through Thanksgiving, Christmas, and into the new year, follow our easy tips for keeping your countertops in great shape during the holidays.
Test Your Sealant
The best thing you can do to protect your natural stone countertops during the holiday season is to test your sealant and, if needed, reseal them.
What Does Sealant Do?
Sealant creates a barrier between your natural stone and liquids, but it doesn’t create an impermeable shell. While it won’t make your surface liquid-proof, it will slow down the absorption process. A good sealant gives you enough time to wipe up spills before they cause a stain. Even with a fresh coat of sealant, it’s a good habit to wipe up spills right away and avoid storing liquid containers directly on the surface.
How to Test Your Sealant
Each type of natural stone is unique, so they don’t all need a new layer of sealant at the same frequency. For example, marble is very porous and usually needs fresh sealant twice a year, while many types of quartz rarely or never need a new layer of sealant. The best way to know if you need to reseal your countertop is to do a water test.
Put a small amount of water on your countertop and see how it reacts. If the water absorbs and darkens the stone right away, then it’s time to reseal it. We use water for the test because it doesn’t stain, so just let it dry fully before you begin applying your sealant.
If it takes 10 – 15 minutes before the stone darkens, then one coat of fresh sealant should be enough. If 30 minutes pass and the water has not absorbed into the stone, then your sealant is still in good shape, and you do not need to reapply.
Applying sealant is an easy DIY project for most homeowners. Check out our article about countertop care for instructions about how to reseal your counters.
Holiday Countertop Care Tips
Protecting your countertops with sealant is the most important step to keeping them looking great through the busy holiday season, but the following tips will also help you keep your surfaces looking their best:
Use Hot Pads and Trivets
You’ll probably be doing lots of cooking and baking, so don’t forget to use hot pads and trivets. Not only do they prevent hot spots on your countertops that can accidentally burn someone, but they also prevent scratches to your sealant, which helps prevent liquid absorption and stains.
Take your décor up a notch by getting some holiday-themed hot pads. Just make sure that you get enough to go under each pot, pan, and cookie sheet.
Pass Out the Coasters
The kitchen is the heart of the home, especially during the holidays. If your family is like most, they like to hang together around the island to sample each dish as it comes out of the oven. Often, that means that the kitchen is hot, and cold beverages will condense all over your countertops. Save yourself some cleanup by passing out coasters to your guests, that way, you won’t have to run around drying water rings all day.
Wipe Up Spills Right Away
Wine is a holiday favorite, but it can etch your countertop (even with a fresh coat of sealant). If you notice any spills, make sure that you wipe them up with a soft cloth right away.
Use Cutting Boards
We recommend using cutting boards to protect your natural stone from scratches year-round. When you’re busy managing several dishes at once, it may be tempting to chop something directly on your countertop, but don’t do it! Not only will you dull your knives, but you can create tiny, invisible lines where liquids can absorb and stain your stone.
We also recommend using large wooden cutting boards or silicone mats for an extra layer of protection when you’re doing activities like cutting out sugar cookies with your kids.
Keep It Clean
No matter your natural stone surface, we recommend using warm soapy water and a soft cloth to clean it daily and after each cooking or baking session. Getting set-in stains out of your natural stone is a lot of work and often takes professional help. To avoid the hassle and expense, make sure that you clean up after yourself and your guests right away. You may be tired after a long day in the kitchen or an evening hosting loved ones, but your countertops and your morning self will thank you for spending a few extra minutes tidying up at the end of the night.
Have a Wonderful Holiday Season!
The reason we love natural stone is because it’s beautiful AND durable. With just a little extra attention, your countertops can really shine during this holiday season and for many more to come. Feeling extra ambitious this year? Download our free Countertop Care Guide to take your natural stone maintenance to the next level.