Sealing, Cleaning, & Protecting: Outdoor Kitchen Countertops
Investing in high-quality countertops is a significant decision for homeowners and businesses alike. Proper maintenance is crucial to ensure these surfaces remain pristine and functional for years. Our guide will walk you through essential steps for protecting and cleaning outdoor kitchen countertops. Also, gain insight into how to safely clean outdoor stone surfaces.
Sealing
Various countertops, like granite, are porous, and liquids can seep into the stone. Without proper sealing, the tiny crevices in the countertop can fill with spilled liquid. This leads to bacteria or microorganisms festering.
After you’ve had your countertops sealed, it is essential to check the integrity of the sealant routinely. An easy way to check is by pouring a small amount of water onto the counter and watching what transpires. If water beads form or it takes a while to absorb the water, the sealant is in good condition. However, if the countertop absorbs the water within a few minutes, it may be time to refresh your sealing.
What types of sealing are best for outdoor kitchen countertops?
Since outdoor countertops often face the elements, using an efficient sealant could determine the lifetime of your stone. It must be heat-resistant, waterproof, chemical-resistant, and easy to maintain or clean. Sealants such as 100% silicone, Tremco Vulkem 901, Dow Corning 795.
Concrete – Omega Concrete Countertop Sealer and Ovation Concrete Countertop Sealer.
Granite – Oceancare Products Penetrating Sealer and Aqua Mix Sealer’s Choice Gold
Quartzite – Stain Proof Dense Stone Impregnating Sealer and Tenax Proseal Nano
Marble – StoneTech BulletProof Sealer and Miracle Sealants 511 Impregnator
Porcelain – Lifeproof Ceramic Coating Spray Kit and GlazeGuard Ceramic & Porcelain Tile Sealer
Cleaning
Along with sealing, a necessary part of outdoor kitchen maintenance is cleaning the countertops routinely. Different types of stone require different types of cleaning.
Concrete
First, you should avoid certain liquids and cleaners to maintain the integrity of your concrete countertop’s sealing. Ammonia, vinegar, lemon juice, and acid-based cleaners harm the sealant and will eat away at it, which could stain the concrete.
Stains on concrete countertops require different types of cleaning to get an efficient clean and avoid damaging the countertop. Acid-based stains are harsher on concrete and sometimes require rebuffing. Oil stains need a poultice to pull out the oil from the countertop.
Since concrete is porous, simply cleaning the surface will not suffice. More complex stains like spilled condiments and coffee need tougher products like bleach. Pour a small amount of bleach onto the cotton ball and leave it on the counter for a few minutes to wash the stains away.
Granite
Before we discuss what you should use for maintaining and cleaning outdoor granite countertops, let’s go over what you should avoid. Do not clean granite countertops with bleach, ammonia, or acid-based cleaners. These materials can eat the granite’s sealant and may even damage the granite.
This type of countertop material does not require intense cleaning. Use a soft cloth to wipe away regular stains like dust, crumbs, and pollen. Wipe down the counters with a bucket of hot, soapy water and a cloth or soft bristle brush. We recommend wiping down the counter with water to remove any leftover soap.
Tougher stains require a 1:1 ratio of water and isopropyl alcohol. Spray the mixture onto the granite and let it sit for 3 to 5 minutes before rinsing with water and a dry cloth.
If that mixture does not work, combine baking soda with water to make a paste. Apply the paste to the granite and let it sit for a day before removing it with water and a cloth.
Quartzite
Quartzite is relatively easy to clean and doesn’t require harsh chemicals. A more straightforward and cost-effective way to clean your quartzite countertops is by using water and mild dish soap. Rinsing the countertops with clean water is essential to prevent soap buildup on your counters.
Another way to clean quartzite is with any non-abrasive, non-acidic cleanser with a low pH. Avoid using natural cleansers with vinegar and lemon juice, as the acid will damage the sealant.
Marble
As a porous stone, marble requires you to deal with stains and spills quickly. Similar to granite, a paste made from a mixture of water and baking soda can clean marble.
If the stain does not disappear within a few minutes, reapply the paste. After that, cover it with plastic wrap and leave it overnight. Our team finds it best to avoid using abrasive scour sponges, vinegar, ammonia, or citrus cleaners.
Porcelain
Unlike marble, porcelain countertops are stain-resistant. Despite their ability to resist most stains, you still need to handle them. Therefore, if you’re dealing with oil-based stains, it is crucial to let a mix of water and baking soda sit on the stain for a few minutes. Follow up with a thorough wipe down and rinse of the paste.
Use a combination of hydrogen peroxide and water for harder-to-deal-with spills like red wine or coffee. Before using this method, test a small corner to ensure the blend will not compromise the counter’s surface. If this mix is okay to use, you need to wipe the counters off after letting it sit for a little while.
Cover and Protect
One way to extend the life of your outdoor countertop is by using covers. Protective covers keep your countertops safe from damage from the elements, animals, and more. Just like some people cover their cars, you can cover your countertops to protect them.
Proper sealing, cleaning, and protection ensure your countertops remain in excellent condition, enhancing their longevity and aesthetic appeal. At STONE, we are committed to helping you protect your investment, so we provide top-quality countertop materials. Our team pre-seals your countertops to ensure they’re ready for your outdoor kitchen.
Remember, proper care today leads to beautiful, functional surfaces tomorrow. Visit us at one of our locations today to browse our wide selection of stone countertops, flooring, and more!
11840 Airline Hwy, Baton Rouge, LA – (225) 293-2225
7575 Jefferson Hwy, Baton Rouge, LA – (225) 663-6845