For a perfect balance of appearance, durability, and low maintenance, you can’t go wrong with a solid surface countertop set for your kitchen or bathroom! These gorgeous countertop materials stand out as an excellent choice for anyone looking to upgrade their home. However, just like any other materials, solid surface countertops have their drawbacks. Before you install new counters, make sure you understand what these drawbacks are and how best to handle them.

Solid surface countertops have a few drawbacks. Fortunately, however, simply taking a few steps to avoid potential damages will ensure your countertops last a long time regardless of these vulnerabilities. Let’s look at a few things to avoid to keep your kitchen countertops in good shape for years to come.

Solid surface countertops are vulnerable to damage from these hazards. Learn what they are and how to avoid them here! Click To Tweet

Heat Damage

Because they consist mainly of resin rather than stone, solid surface countertops are vulnerable to heat damage from hot pots or pans. It’s always a good idea to put down a hot pad or another barrier on your countertop before placing a hot pan out to cool. If you use a slow cooker frequently, take similar precautions. Most slow cookers have little feet to keep them elevated about half an inch above the countertop. This style can sit safely on your countertops, but for a model with shorter feet or no feet at all, use a hot pad or pizza stone to keep the slow cooker’s constant heat from damaging your countertop.

Scratching the Surface

Like any style, solid surface countertops are vulnerable to scratches. Since they aren’t made of stone, scratches in the finish make their material somewhat vulnerable to staining. The most obvious solution is to just make sure to use a cutting board when chopping food with a knife, and while this is a good idea, it’s not the only potential hazard to keep in mind. Appliances or decorations stored on the countertop may also have sharp edges or points that could be causing damage. Make sure nothing on your counter is causing a scratch or making one worse.

Avoid Strong Cleaning Chemicals

Oven cleaner, paint remover, blech-based cleaning products, and other strong cleaning products are harsher than your countertops need. In fact, their damage to the finish may just make a stain or scratch even worse than before. When cleaning your countertops, use a mild cleaning agent like dish soap or a mixture of bleach diluted in a large amount of water. Generally, the gentler the cleaning solution, the better off your countertops will be.

Pro Tip: If you install solid surface countertops in your bathroom, wipe up spills of potentially hazardous or staining substances (like nail polish) immediately with water. Avoid using a stronger cleaner such as nail polish remover, as this will damage the finish further.

Preserving Your Countertops

Even with these potential problems, solid surface countertops are still a remarkably durable option for your home. Like any type of countertop material, the biggest potential dangers are simply carelessness and using improper cleaning methods. Take good care of your solid surface countertops to continue enjoying them for the foreseeable future!

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