Tag Archives: Marble Countertops

Marble Alternatives to Consider

As much as marble is beautiful and gives your home an elegant look, it’s not for everyone. If you are looking to install countertops and you don’t like marble countertops, there are plenty of other alternatives you can go with. These alternatives include:

Onyx

On a spiritual level, onyx gives off strong vibrations of energy, protection, and strength, which anyone would like to tap into every morning.

The most popular onyx is black, but this isn’t the only color it comes in—it also comes in a beautiful range of soft neutral, and brighter colors.

As much as onyx is a great marble alternative, you must ask whether it will last for a long time. 

Well, like marble, it should not be installed in highly traffic areas as its porous and fragile. This calls for you to avoid installing shower walls or kitchen countertops, which will likely get stained easily.

If you have to install it in the bathroom, ensure that you do it in the master bathroom, where you will take good care of it. Even when installing it here, ensure that you simply install it as a decorative strip—don’t install it on the floor and shower walls.

Quartzite

You shouldn’t confuse quartzite with quartz as they aren’t similar. 

Like marble, quartzite is highly versatile and can look like almost anything. Designers often use quartzite to get the dramatic look of marble. 

The good thing is that since it is crystalline, its patterns are often softer and more ethereal than most marble types.

Quartzite is more durable than marble, and you can confidently use it as an alternative. The beauty of it is that it combines the beauty of marble with the functionality and durability of granite. Due to this, you can even install it in highly trafficked areas without worrying about it suffering from extensive wear and tear. 

Since it’s made by volcanoes, it’s very strong, doesn’t get stained by citric acids, and can take a lot of heat. Although anyone can install it, it’s most recommended for people who cook a lot and love natural stone.

It comes in a huge range of colors and patterns, so you have plenty of options. 

Soapstone

If you are looking to replace your black kitchen countertops with something other than marble, you might want to think about soapstone.

Soapstone is an excellent alternative because it can handle heat. It comes in different colors that range from dark green to charcoal to black, and its face has a lot of movement.

Since it’s non-porous, you don’t have to worry about it getting stained or damaged by water.

If you are thinking about installing soapstone countertops, there are some things you should know. 

One of the things you should know is that soapstone gets a natural patina as you use it. To ensure that it wears out evenly, it’s recommended that you oil it regularly.  

It’s also hard to find it in large slabs, so you need to work with your contractors and assemble smaller pieces to get the large countertops you are after. 

Granite

Granite is not an unusual material to find in a kitchen. In fact, it has been one of the most popular natural stone countertop materials for a long time. 

But this has both pros and cons. Since the 1970s, granite has been a popular choice for surfaces. As a result, many people have granite countertops Raleigh that are so old that they don’t look good in a modern kitchen.

Granite comes in many styles, some of which look like marble. It even comes in creative colors.

Granite is much stronger than marble and less likely to break or chip. It’s also much less likely to get stained.

Parting shot

These are some of the options you have when it comes to marble alternatives. When choosing the options, choose those that will give you the service you are after.

For example, if you are looking to install a countertop in a highly trafficked area, you should stay away from onyx or soapstone and instead go for granite or any other tougher material. 

Guide to Taking Care of The Various Countertop Materials

You have to take good care of your countertops to last for a long time. Since different countertops have different features, you take care of them differently. How do you take care of your countertops? There are plenty of ways to go about it. Here is how to do it:

Quartz countertops

Quartz countertops are loved by many for their heat, stain, and scratch-resistant nature. The countertops are also non-porous, so you don’t need to seal them.

To maintain their elegant look, prevent the stains from coming about as much as possible. One of the ways to go about this is to never place hot pans on them. You should note that while the countertops are heat resistant, they aren’t heatproof. This means that when you place hot items on them, they will get damaged.

To protect the units, always have hot pads or trivets on them.

If stains develop on the countertops, apply a paste of hydrogen peroxide and flour on them. A good rule of thumb is to apply the paste on the surfaces and then let it sit for up to 24 hours.

In most cases, the paste will lift the spot right out within this time.

Wooden countertops

To keep your butcher block wooden countertops in top shape, apply mineral oil to them at least once a month. If your countertops aren’t butcher block, apply marine oil that will prevent the countertops from fading.

You should prevent burns and other marks from your countertops as much as possible, but if they come about, sand them out. For the stains, remove them using hydrogen peroxide or lemon juice.

Soapstone

Since it’s naturally non-porous, soapstone doesn’t require any sealing. Unfortunately, it’s soft and prone to nicks and scratches. Due to this, you should be ultra-cautious when preparing your meals or working around surfaces.

The countertops are also prone to discoloration, but luckily, you can easily get rid of them when you catch them early on. To remove slight discoloration, rub it out using mineral oil.

Marble countertops

Marble countertops usually require high maintenance than other countertop materials. Since they are naturally porous, they require regular sealing to prevent stains.

The porous nature of the countertops also makes them susceptible to etching, so you should be ultra-cautious when interacting with them.

Chemical corrosion is common with these countertops, but you can buff it with marble polish. For the oil stains, remove them using hydrogen peroxide, ammonia, or mineral spirits.

In the event food stains develop, lift them with water-based paste or dish soap and baking soda.

Laminate countertops

The most common problem with laminate countertops are stains. Luckily, you can get rid of the stains using a paste of baking soda and water. Leaving the paste on the countertops for 3-5 minutes will remove most surface stains.

If you have hard-to-remove stains, remove them using household bleach. For the best outcome, rub the bleach gently on the surfaces with a cotton ball.

Stainless steel countertops

The major issue with stainless steel countertops is the never-ending scratches on the surface that give the surfaces an ugly look.

Luckily, you can buff the scratches out with an abrasive pad.

Stainless is also prone to rust, but you can prevent it by avoiding the surfaces from coming into contact with a cast iron pan.

If the surfaces develop rust stains, remove them using baking soda and lemon juice paste.

Solid surface countertops

If there are fine scratches or stains on the surfaces, buff them out using a mild abrasive. Even with the best care, it’s common for countertops to develop a plastic-like patina. When this develops, move with haste and have it removed by an experienced professional.

Granite countertops

Like marble countertops, granite countertops Durham are porous, so you have to seal them regularly to prevent stains from developing. To tell whether your surfaces are ripe for sealing, you should splash water on them and seal them.

If the water gets absorbed, it’s time to seal them.

Besides sealing the surfaces, also take care of the items you place on the surfaces, as you don’t want to ruin them.

How to Keep Your Countertops Looking Like New

When you install your kitchen countertops, you want them to look good for a long time, don’t you? The good news is that it’s possible to do it. How do you go about it? Here is what you need to do:

Don’t cut directly on the countertops

As much as the countertops look tough and indestructible, they aren’t. When you repeatedly cut directly on them, you are bound to damage them permanently.

You can get away with it the first few times, but when you continuously do it, you leave permanent knife marks on the surfaces, which are not only unsightly to look at but also give your counters a cheap look.

The best way to go about it is always to have a chopping board where you do all your chopping. Here is where you chop your vegetables, tomatoes, onions, meat, and other items you might be interested in.

Of course, ensure that the chopping board is in good shape and doesn’t scratch your counters.

Be ultra cautious when doing the cleaning.

Cleaning your counters removes dust and other materials from the surfaces, but you should be cautious about how you go about it. This is because you can easily cause more problems than were originally there.

As much as you want your countertops to look good and new, don’t use harsh cleaning products, as you will damage the surfaces. As a rule of thumb, don’t use products containing strong acidic ingredients as they will remove the sealant or coating.

To be safe, use mild cleaners to clean your surfaces. If you aren’t sure about the right ones to get, consult a professional. Your manufacturer will also guide you pick the right cleaner for your surfaces.

Keep the counters away from heat.

The same way, some people have the impression that they can safely cut directly on their countertops in the same way they have the impression that they can place hot pots and other hot items on their counters without causing any damage.

Unfortunately, this isn’t the case.

As much as granite surfaces are tough, they aren’t heatproof. This means that when you place hot items on them, they will get damaged, and you don’t want this, do you?

To protect your surfaces from heat damage, have hot pads, trivets, and other protective materials on the countertop surfaces.

As you protect your surfaces, remember that it’s not only the hot pots from the fire that can damage your surfaces but also, hot plates and cups can cause extensive damage, so always have coasters to place your hot cups and plates on.

If you don’t have these protective materials on your surfaces, don’t risk it. Always let your hot pots cool down completely before you place them on the surfaces.

Don’t sit on the counters.

When you look at your countertops, they look like excellent sitting surfaces, right? While they are, you shouldn’t succumb to sitting or standing on them.

Besides the risk of the countertops breaking, there is also the risk of the metal parts of your jeans and other pieces of clothing scratching the surfaces and giving them a dull look.

You don’t want this, do you?

Avoid sitting or standing on your surfaces at all costs to ensure this doesn’t happen.

To eliminate the temptation, have a chair in your kitchen to sit on as you wait for the food to cook.

Have a ladder in the kitchen to avoid having to stand on the counters to replace the bulb or reach the top shelves.

Seal the countertops

If you have porous countertops such as granite and marble countertops NC, make it an effort to seal them at the time of installation, then at least once every year.

Use high-quality sealing products to get the most from your sealing work. As a rule of thumb, use products specially designed for your countertops.

Besides this, ensure that the sealing work is done by an expert who has been at it for a long time. Don’t hire a noob who will likely cause more problems than were originally there.

Best Kitchen Countertop Colors

Are you thinking about installing kitchen countertops but aren’t sure what color to go for? There are plenty of color options you can go with, with the common ones being:

Rustic wood tone

Wooden countertops give your kitchen a homey and warm atmosphere, so if this is the atmosphere you are after, this is the best countertop color. This choice is also smart when you want to give your kitchen a transitional appeal.

To make your kitchen more interesting, install a wooden island, then pair it with a stone countertop on the sides adjacent to the kitchen wall.

Neutral gray tone

The neutral gray tone is friendly and highly versatile, especially with other accents and fancy colors. When properly installed, the gray tone gives a balance between stark white and dark tone, while lifting the aesthetics of the countertops.

The gray countertops work best when you want different vibrant colors for your kitchen cabinetry. The tone also comes in handy when looking to complement any chrome plated finish in the kitchen area.

White with fine veinings

If you want to install marble countertops in your kitchen, avoid being like everyone else. While the stark white beauty of the white marble is elegant to look out for, it gives a kitchen a cliché look.

To stand out, use a different color of marble. For example, use marble with white background with a grainy or fine veining.

If you have always wanted to have granite countertops instead, go for countertops with white or beige colors that perfectly match the color tone.

Besides a white kitchen countertop looking great, it also makes your small kitchen space look bigger. There is also the illusion of cleanliness and an airy feeling.

Regardless of the white countertop you choose, ensure that you get it from a reputable store. You also should have it professionally installed by an expert that knows what they are doing.

Rich black tone

The beauty of black countertops is that they work extremely well with dark and colorful cabinets.

If you want to draw attention to them, install them in such a way that everything else around them has a light color hue.

Install the countertops with a mirror or backsplash for an interesting look.

Are you a minimalist? Go with a black-and-white tone. Besides giving your house a simple look, it also gives an interesting traditional and contemporary atmosphere.

Stark white countertops

Stark white countertops are the perfect choice for those looking to give their kitchens a minimalist look.

Besides being simple, the countertops can fit with a variety of cabinets. For example, they can fit with wooden grainy cabinets, chrome plate surfaces, etc.

If you have a narrow kitchen, the stark white color cuts the cave-like feeling, making your kitchen more comfortable to live in, not to mention making your kitchen feel airy and look spotlessly clean.

Countertops with bold veinings

You choose these countertops when looking to give your kitchen a dramatic look. Due to the veinings, you make your countertops the center of attention.

To get the most from the veinings, ensure that you install them in a large kitchen. Don’t install them in a smaller kitchen, as they can be overwhelming and even make the kitchen look smaller than it already is.

Parting shot

These are some of the countertop color options you can choose for your countertops. To get the most from them, choose the right color. If you aren’t sure about the right one to go for, get the input of a professional.

Regardless of whether you are installing marble, granite, or quartz kitchen countertops NC, have them professionally installed. Take your time finding an experienced contractor that will properly install the surfaces.

You might argue that you will be late finding the right contractor but remember that you are better late than having a botched kitchen.

Besides the contractor you hire being experienced, they also should be insured. This way, you are sure that in the event an accident happens, you won’t be held liable. The company will also compensate you in the event it damages your surfaces.

Things To Consider When Buying Kitchen Countertops

When you are looking to buy kitchen countertops, there are plenty of things you need to consider to buy the right units. These things include:

Your lifestyle

Different countertop materials are ideal for various applications. If you have small children, so you cook a lot, chances are your home has plenty of spills and accidents. In such a scenario, you should avoid marble or white granite countertops as it will just be a matter of time before the countertops develop ugly stains giving your kitchen an ugly, unappealing look.

Here, you need tough but easy-to-maintain countertop materials.

If, on the other hand, you live alone and rarely use the kitchen, marble or white granite countertop surfaces are an excellent choice as you won’t worry about them developing ugly stains.

If you aren’t sure about the right material for your lifestyle, get the input of a professional.

Ease of maintenance

How much care do the countertops need? You should ask this question before you make the purchase.

Of course, to have an easy time, you should buy countertop materials that are easy to maintain.

As much as granite and marble surfaces are excellent, they need regular sealing to prevent stains from developing. Is this something you are comfortable doing at least once or twice a year? You should think about this.

If you aren’t comfortable with this, you are better with quartz countertops or other materials that don’t need sealing.

Remember that even if you go for easy-to-maintain countertops, you need to protect them from damage so they can last for a long time. This calls for you to avoid cutting directly on them.

You also should avoid standing or sitting on the countertops as you can easily break them.

Your preferred look

How do you want your kitchen to look? We all have a preferred look, and you should consider this when purchasing.

Some countertops can give your kitchen a traditional look, while others give it a contemporary vibe. Give your kitchen the look you want.

If you aren’t sure about the right countertops you should go for, get the input of an expert.

Your preferred sink mounting

Over-mounted and under-mounted sinks are two popular ways to mount your sink to your kitchen countertops. You should note that the style of sink you install will influence the size and style of countertops you choose.

Here is more about the mounting sink types:

Under-mounted sinks: With under-mounted sinks, the sink’s edge lip is mounted below the countertop. This sink mounting style creates a continuous flow, making it easy to clean up crumbs when a mess comes about.

Some of the best materials for under-mounted sinks are granite, marble, concrete, and quartz.

Don’t try to install under-mounted sinks on other materials, as there is the risk that the materials won’t be well suited for these sinks. In most cases, there are risks of having too many seams and grout lines.

Over-mounted sinks: Also known as drop-in sinks, these sinks involve dropping off the sink into the countertop. Unlike the under-mounted sinks, this style has edges over the kitchen countertop giving it a traditional look.

Your home layout

The kitchen is the heart of every home and should tie the entire house together. As a rule of thumb, ensure that the style and layout of the house flows throughout the house.

For example, choose countertop materials that maintain the look if your house has an open concept. In such a case, keep a simple color palette that looks good on the open layout.

Your budget

As you can tell, this influences everything from the store you buy the countertops to the contractor your hire.

Many people make the mistake of rushing to the stores with little money. You should note that quality comes at a price, so there is no way you will get quality granite or marble countertops Durham on a small budget.

Instead of being in a hurry, always take your time and save some money until it’s enough for your desired countertops.

Best Practices When Living With Marble Countertops

Marble countertops are not only beautiful and give your home a high-end look, but they also can last for a long time when you take good care of them. And the good thing is that you can do several things to ensure that they last for as long as possible. Which are these things you should do? Here they are:

Keep acidic substances away from your countertops

Acidic substances can etch into your countertop surfaces and leave your surfaces dull and lackluster. To be on the safe side, don’t use an abrasive or acidic cleaner such as bleach or vinegar on your surfaces. You also should never use harsh scrubbing pads on the surfaces.

Certain fruits such as tomatoes, citrus, and others have been found to contain high acid levels, so you should keep them off your countertops.

To keep your countertops in top shape for a long time, have specialized bowls to store the acidic fruits.

Don’t cut on the countertops.

Marble looks tough and damage-proof, but it isn’t. This means that when you cut directly on it, you are bound to damage it. To ensure this doesn’t happen, have a cutting board where you cut your vegetables, and chop meat, among many other tasks.

Clean the countertops with a gentle soap

You might have the impression that you need abrasive cleaners to clean your countertops, but this isn’t the case. You should know that marble is one of the easiest materials to clean, and you can achieve almost perfect clean surfaces using gentle soap and warm water.

All you need to do is to wash the surfaces with a solution of soap and water, then wipe them with a wet, hot dish towel. Once done, dry the surfaces with an absorbent towel.

To avoid deep stains that are hard to remove, make it a habit to spot clean any spills immediately. Remember that the longer you leave substances on marble, the more they are likely to stain, so keep them off the countertops as much as possible.

Always thoroughly wipe your counters.

Here you need to spray the counters, then use a cloth dipped in soap and water to wipe down the surfaces, focusing on any dried food or debris.

To ensure that your counters really shine, dry them thoroughly with a clean, dry cloth. Some of the best clothes for this are microfiber clothes. In some cases, you have to repeat the polishing to achieve ideal results.

For perfect-looking countertops, clean the surfaces daily, especially if you have a high-traffic kitchen. For the bathrooms, wipe them once a week.

Buff out impurities

In the event your countertops develop stains, you can try and get rid of them by buffing them out. One of the best products to use for the work is #0000 steel wool.

If the nicks, gouges, or dull spots are large, don’t try to remove them, as you will most likely damage your surfaces. In such a case, hire a professional to sand them out. If you aren’t sure whether you can remove the scratches, check with your manufacturer or the company you bought the countertops from.

Seal the countertops

Like granite, marble is highly porous, meaning that when you go for a long time without sealing it, water and other impurities can easily get into the countertops and stain them.

To prevent the stains from coming about, make it a habit to seal your countertops at the time of installation then once every year.

You can seal the surfaces by yourself or hire a professional to help. Regardless of how you go about it, ensure that you use a high-quality sealer. Using a sealant specially formulated for marble surfaces will be better.

Parting shot

Like granite countertops Raleigh, marble surfaces are porous, so they need to be properly maintained to prevent them from getting damaged. As a rule of thumb, don’t treat your counters as chopping boards. Always have a chopping board in place.

Also, don’t clean the surfaces using abrasive materials regardless of how dirty they look. Remember that marble is one of the easiest materials to clean, so don’t put so much effort into it. Warm water and gentle soap are enough.

Marble Countertop Care Dos And Don’ts

Do you own marble countertops? You should know that it’s your responsibility to keep them in top shape. For this to happen, you need to observe a set of dos and don’ts, which include:

Don’t leave grime on the countertops

If you have small children or a large family, it’s common to have stains on your countertops.

It’s easy to forget about these stains, especially if tired.

You should note that when you let the stains stay on your countertops for long, they permanently stick on the surfaces, and you have an extremely hard time removing them.

Sometimes you are even unable to remove them, and you have to replace the countertops.

You should always wipe your countertops after using them to prevent this from happening. To protect the surfaces from stains, always cut your fruits, vegetables, meat, and other food items on a board—never cut directly on the surfaces.

Don’t use acidic cleaners.

As much as you want your countertops to look exquisite, you shouldn’t clean them using acidic cleaners. This is because the cleaners will dull the professional finish and eat away at the stone surfaces, leading to etching.

Etching resembles watermarks or surface stains, but they are chemical burns that have damaged your surfaces. If you used a lot of acids and the etching is extensive, you may need the services of an expert to restore the damaged areas.

To be on the safe side, use the right cleaning products. As a rule of thumb, use products specially formulated for use on marble and other natural stones. If you aren’t sure about the right one to go for, get the input of a professional.

In the event you find your countertops with a stain, there are several ways you can remedy the situation. If you have oil or grease stains, create a baking soda and acetone mix, then apply it to the affected area.

Let the mixture sit for 24 hours before wiping it away and rinsing it with water. If the stains sit deep into the countertops, you may have to apply the mixture two to three times.

Once you are done removing the stain, remember to apply a sealing agent to provide your countertops with an extra layer of protection and prevent more stains.

If your countertops have wine, coffee, tea, fruit juice, or any other organic stains, remove them by mixing one part laundry bleach with one part water, then spray it onto the surfaces. Let the mixture stay on the surface for 15 minutes, then rinse it with water.

You can also place a clean paper towel over the stain, then pour a 3-4% hydrogen peroxide solution to the towel to the point of saturation. Allow the solution to sit on the countertop for at least 24 hours before wiping away and rinsing the area with water. If the stain doesn’t go away, repeat the procedure.

Seal the countertop at least once a year

Marble is highly porous, so it needs regular sealing to prevent stains. You should always seal the countertops the first thing after installing them, but this isn’t enough—you need to seal them at least once every year.

To tell whether it’s time to seal the countertops, undertake a water test. Here you pour 3 inches of water on several areas of your countertop then let it sit for at least 30 minutes. If you see a dark mark or ring on the countertops, the water is penetrating the stone and it’s time to reseal the surfaces.

You can do the sealing if you have the skills, but let it be done by an experienced professional for the best outcome.

Polish the countertops

Besides sealing the surfaces, you also should polish them to maintain a shiny, clean look.

There are plenty of products you can use to do the cleaning. From cleaning agents with neutral pH to acetone and hydrogen peroxide, there are plenty of options you can go with.

Unlike sealing, you can polish the kitchen countertops Durham by yourself. You need to ensure that you don’t overdo it as marble is highly delicate and can easily break if you over polish it.

What Shouldn’t You Do To Your Kitchen Countertops?

To keep your countertops in top shape and have them last for as long as possible, you need to be cautious of what you do to them. What shouldn’t you do to your kitchen countertops? There are plenty of things, with the common ones being:

Don’t use knives on your countertops

As much as your countertops look tough, they can easily get damaged by knives and other sharp objects, so you need to be cautious about how you go about it.

When you cut directly on your surfaces, you leave surfaces with slice marks that are not only unpleasing to look at, but are also unhygienic as harmful bacteria and other microbes can hide inside.

To avoid damaging the countertops or even your knives sometimes, make it a habit to use a cutting board. Of course, get a high-quality cutting board that will last for a long time.

Don’t use bleach when cleaning the countertops.

When used properly, bleach is one of the most effective cleaning tools you can use to clean the various parts of the house. While this is the case, you shouldn’t use it in every situation. As a rule of thumb, keep it out of your countertops as it will discolor the countertops, making them look too old than they are.

You shouldn’t use bleach the same way you shouldn’t use harsh cleaning pads such as steel wool or Brillo pad.

Most of the countertop dirt can be removed with a soft piece of cloth, soap, and water. If you have tried cleaning the surfaces, but things aren’t getting better, chances are the countertops are stained, and you need to hire a professional to use specialized products to clean them.

Don’t store cleaning supplies on your countertops.

The cleaning supplies are safe to place on the countertops. After all, you clean the surfaces using them, right?

Well, as much as you clean the surfaces using the products, you shouldn’t place them on the countertops. This is because the products contain plenty of chemicals that can stain the surfaces, especially when you let them sit on the countertops for a long time.

The chemicals can also get to the food, putting your life and that of your loved ones at risk.

The best way to go about it is to store the products under your sink, or any other place far away from where you prepare the food.

Don’t let the dishes dry on your wooden countertops

Wooden countertops give the kitchen a character. They can also look as excellent places to place your dishes, waiting for them to dry, but they aren’t.

This is because, with time, the seal on the surfaces wears out, meaning that the water from the drying dishes seeps through, creating mold spots.

Some people place a towel across their counter to prevent water from seeping through, but this also isn’t enough as with time, the towel too gets moist, and water starts passing through. The wet towel is also a huge source of germs in the kitchen, putting you at risk of food poisoning.

Never place dishes on your wood countertops to be on the safe side. Instead, use a drying rack at all times.

Don’t sit or stand on the countertops.

If you visit most homes, you will find the homeowners sitting on the countertops while waiting for food to get ready. Others will stand on the surfaces as they reach for the top shelf or replacing the bulbs. This is wrong as it puts too much pressure on the countertops, increasing their chances of cracking.

To keep your countertops in top shape, don’t sit or stand on them. If you want to sit while in the kitchen, get a chair. Do you want to reach for the top shelf or replace the bulb? Get a ladder or step on a stool.

Parting shot

These are some of the things you shouldn’t do to your countertops to prevent them from getting damaged and being forced to undertake countertop replacement Durham.

If you notice even a minor issue with your surfaces, get in touch with a professional to have the issue looked at and fixed before it worsens.

How Do I Keep My Kitchen Counters From Cluttering? Here’s How To Go About It

You can install marble, granite kitchen countertops, or any other countertop, but your kitchen will never look good if it’s cluttered. Do you have stuff lying everywhere, and you are wondering how do I keep my kitchen counters from cluttering? There are plenty of ways to go about it, with the popular ones being:

Take the appliances out of the counters

There is no way your counters will look clean and organized if there are appliances all over. So, to maintain a clean look, remove the appliances from your counters.

A good rule of thumb is to remove all the appliances you don’t regularly use and store them in the cabinets or any other place. This means that your surfaces should only have the units you use for your daily needs. These include: a toaster, dish rack, coffeemaker, fruit basket, a crock of cooking tools, and microwave.

For the items, you regularly use, find a permanent home for them in a convenient and logical spot. For example, you can put the coffeemaker under the mugs cabinet, put the crock of cooking tools near the stove, etc.

This is to prevent the items from spreading all over the kitchen when using them.

Keep the items in the cabinets.

Your kitchen will look neater when the various items are behind closed cabinet doors—they don’t look good when in the open.

If you love shelving, avoid having too many items on the shelves, as it gives your kitchen and counters a dirty look. Instead, take up a minimalist style and only have what you need.

When choosing the various kitchen items, settle with a unified color palette. You can also opt to display the items in nice-looking containers that will keep the various items looking intentional and tidy.

Come up with ground rules to keep the counters clutter-free

There are several ground rules that you can use to keep your counters clutter-free. They include:

  • Ensure that the dirty dishes go directly into the dishwasher or sink. They should never go on the counter
  • Before you go to bed each night, wipe off the counters
  • Never place papers on your counters
  • Even if no one can see them, keep the cabinets and drawers properly organized so that every item in the kitchen has a designated space.

Group similar items together

When you group similar items, you make the kitchen appear less cluttered and provide easy access to the various items. There are plenty of things you can use to keep the various items organized—you can use cutting boards, cake stands, trays, etc.

Minimize the decorations

As much as you love art and decorations, you should be cautious of the number you display. This is because they can easily turn your counters into an eyesore. To be on the safe side, keep the decorations to a minimum.

It’s okay to have a picture here and there, but it should be in a strategic area. If you aren’t sure where to place it, get the input of a professional.

Have a messy drawer

Even if you aim for a clutter-free kitchen, it’s impossible to have completely clutter-free counter surfaces. The same way every good diet requires a cheat day is the same way you should have a cheat spot which is a messy drawer.

Here you stash everything until you find a better location or purpose for it. It makes more sense putting it in the cheat spot than leaving it out and giving your counters a cheap look, right?

To maintain decorum in your kitchen, be specific and intentional about the location of the cheat spot. A good rule of thumb is to choose one shelf or drawer and don’t let it spill out into the entire cabinet.

Add storage options

If you have items that are giving your marble countertops NC a cluttered look, add storage options for them. Great options include:

  • Installing a wall hanging fruit basket or wall mounted paper towel holder
  • Having magnetic strips on the backsplash for knives and other utensils
  • Installing hooks for keys
  • Having a wall mount rack for the commonly used spices.

What Happens If You Don’t Seal Marble?

best kitchen countertop

Marble countertops are highly porous, and all experts agree that you should seal them the first thing after installation to protect them from damage. What happens if you don’t seal marble? You must be wondering, right? Well, plenty of things can happen:

They will be stained by foods and drinks

When you leave your countertops unsealed, it means that the countertops aren’t protected. This means that in the event of a food or drink spill, the materials will quickly absorb to the inner layers of the countertops, making them hard to remove.

An unsealed marble surface absorbs even the smallest amount of liquid. For example, you will leave a glass of juice on your unsealed countertop, then five minutes later, you find a large circular stain on your countertops.

Certain cleaning products will damage them.

If you are like other homeowners, you use commercial cleaning products to clean your surfaces. While many natural cleaning products are harmless to the surfaces, many products contain citrus and other materials that quickly eat away at the calcium on the marble countertop.

These products are harmful even to the sealed countertops, so you can imagine the damage they cause to the unsealed surfaces.

Water will discolor them.

One of the crucial roles of the sealing agent is to repel liquids and prevent them from getting to the inner layers of the stone. This means that if your surfaces aren’t sealed, the liquids easily get to the inner layers, making them hard to remove.

This means that even leaving a cold glass with condensation on the unsealed surfaces can change the color of the countertops as the condensation gets to the countertop inner layers.

How often do you need to seal marble?

To avoid the problems that come with failing to seal your countertops, you should make it a norm to seal them as frequently as possible.

How often do you need to seal marble? The frequency depends on how you use the countertops. If you love cooking, you need to seal the surfaces more often than a bachelor who rarely cooks.

Experts agree that you should seal the countertops at the time of installation, then at least once every 3-6 months, depending on how you use the surfaces.

How do you tell its time to seal the countertops?

You can’t just look at the countertops and reach a verdict that they are ready for sealing—you need to test them. Some of the tests you can do include:

Mineral oil test

Here you use a petroleum-based liquid or solvent. Put a few drops of the mineral oil on your countertops, then wait for at least 10 minutes before wiping the oil off the surface with a dry cloth.

If you have a dark stain upon wiping the mineral oil, it’s time to reseal the countertops.

Water drop test

If you don’t have mineral oil, you can always use water for testing. Find an inconspicuous area of the countertop, sprinkle a few drops of water then set a timer to track how long it takes for the countertop to absorb water.

Once the timer is off, check whether the marble stone darkens and absorbs water. If it absorbs the water and leaves a dark spot, it’s time to reseal the surfaces.

How to properly seal marble surfaces

If your surfaces are ripe for sealing, go ahead and do the sealing. You can do the sealing by yourself if you have the skills, but let an experienced professional do it for you for the best outcome.

The marble contractor should begin with thoroughly cleaning the countertops and removing any dirt and debris on the surface.

Once clean, the contractor should apply the sealing agent with a soft cloth, lamb wool, or any other material that won’t damage the marble kitchen countertops NC.

Of course, for the seal to last long, you need to use a high-quality one. Avoid cheap sealing agents as they won’t provide you with the protection you need. They also tend to fade after a short time.