Solid Surface Care
Routine Care
All solid-surface sinks, bowls and tops have the matte finish. Soapy water or ammonia-based cleaners will remove most dirt and stains. Abrasive cleansers, along with a green Scotch-Brite pad, can be used to remove difficult stains. Major scratches or damage should be removed professionally.
Removing Cuts and Scratches
Because the solid beauty of solid surfaces goes all the way through, our surfaces are completely renewable. You can remove minor cuts and scratches yourself with a green Scotch-Brite pad.
Preventing Heat Damage
To prevent heat damage, always use a hot pad or a trivet with rubber feet to protect your solid surface.
Preventing Other Damage
To prevent scratches or other damage, treat your solid-surface top as you would any other fine furniture. Always use a pad or rubber feet on appliances. Do not place items with sharp edges on the top without protecting the top first.
Laminate Care
Ordinary Cleaning
Laminates are very easy to clean. In most cases, you only need to use a clean, damp non-abrasive cotton cloth and a mild liquid detergent or household cleaner. Rinse with clean water, using a clean, non-abrasive cotton cloth. Do not flood the laminate, especially near seams, since water can penetrate and cause the substrate to swell. Dry the surface with a soft, clean, non-abrasive cotton cloth.
Chemical Damage
Never use cleaners containing acid, alkali, or sodium hypochlorite. These cleaners will mar, etch, corrode, and permanently discolor the laminate surface. Also, make sure that bottles, rags, and other materials contaminated with these cleaners never contact the laminate surface. Beware of cleaners that contain bleach.
Examples of cleaners containing acid, alkali, or sodium hypochlorite include, but are not limited to:
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Drain cleaners
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Metal Cleaners
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Oven cleaners
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Ceramic cook-top cleaners
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Rust removers
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Tub and tile cleaners
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Toilet bowl cleaners
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Some “countertop cleaners”
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Coffeepot cleaners
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Chlorine bleach
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Lime scale removers
Stains
To remove or minimize stains, use a mild household cleaner on the affected area, and allow it to draw out the stain. Blot with a clean, damp, non-abrasive cotton cloth, and then rinse with clean water. When a recommended cleaner changes its formulation, the change may be harmful to the laminate surface. Solvents such as denatured alcohol can also be used. Follow all directions and warnings on the solvent label because many are extremely flammable.
Stubborn or “fugitive” stains that may disappear on their own, after a short time or after repeated cleanings include:
Stains which are stubborn or even permanent, and may not disappear, include:
- Wood stains
- Newsprint
- Label inks
- Cash register inks
- Marking pen inks
- Indelible inks
- Food pricing ink
Some materials and liquids, such as dyes and pharmaceutical products, will permanently stain laminate. Examples include:
- Hair dyes and rinses
- Tannic acid
- Dermatological tar compounds
- Silver nitrate
- Mercurochrome
- Peroxide
- Laundry bluing
- Povidone-iodine
These stains may be reduced by applying a paste of baking soda and water on the area to pull out the stain. The paste will be slightly abrasive, so do not rub. Wipe up the paste with a clean, damp, non-abrasive cotton cloth, and then rinse with clean water.
Periodic application of a self-cleaning wax can help minimize future staining.
Scratch and Impact Protection
- Use cutting boards, chopping blocks, or other protective surfaces.
- Do not chop, slice, pound, or hammer on any laminate surface.
- Knives or other sharp utensils may slice or scratch the surface.
- Heavy blows from a hammer or meat tenderizer may crack or gouge the surface.
- Use placemats, doilies, and trivets on laminate surfaces when necessary.
- Ceramics and abrasive objects can cause scratching and premature wear – do not slide these items across any laminate surface.
Tables & Tops
(810) 744-0066
G-4257 S. Saginaw Street
Burton, MI 48529
