Maintaining Your Kitchen Countertops from the DIY Network

From the DIY Network comes an excellent article about maintaining your kitchen countertops .   The article addresses the three most common types of countertops: plastic laminate tops, solid surface  and natural stone countertops.

Plastic Laminate Countertops
These are fairly easy to maintain, and therefore to increase their appearance and life.  Common sense tips like: wipe off spots and spills with a damp cloth and mild soap.  Don't allow water to stand on the seams or on the backsplash.  Don't use the countertop as a cutting board.  Be careful of cigarette burns, or damage from anything else that is hot that touches the tops.  Re-apply caulk as needed to keep out water penetration.

Solid Surface Countertops
Clean up spills immediately, but don't use abrasive pads.  Dry the top after cleaning.  Do not put hot items directly on the surface.  Don't use the surface as a cutting board.  Do not allow acetones, such as are found in paint cleaners and nail polish, to come in contact with the surface.

Natural Stone Countertops
Clean regularly with soap and water, but don't use abrasive pads. Wipe dry after cleaning.  Dust the countertop regularly.  Repair chips, scratches, burns and stains following the manufacturer's instructions.  Check to see if you should have your stone countertops sealed to prevent staining.