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We asked makers of special surfaces how to clean their products. Here are their tips:
Corian®
A solid surface countertop line for kitchens and baths, and sinks and lavatories, manufactured by E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Co., Wilmington DE.
Routine cleaning: All surfaces may be cleaned with soapy water or an ammonia-based cleaner, then rinsed and wiped dry. To disinfect, wipe surface with a 50-50 solution of bleach and water, rinse thoroughly and wipe dry. Never mix bleach and ammonia together. Sinks and lavatories may require a non-scratching scouring pad used over the entire sink and soap or ammonia as above.
For the tougher stuff: The manufacturer recommends spraying Stone Care International’s Cleaner for Du Pont Corian®, letting the spray stand for 30 seconds, then wiping dry with a paper towel.
To restore a matte finish, use a green scouring pad in a circular motion over the entire surface. Countertop polish is recommended for semi-gloss and high-gloss finishes; professional refurbishment may be necessary for high-gloss surfaces that have become very dull.
Precautions: Heat pads or trivets are recommended for placing hot pots and pans on the countertop; these objects should be cool before they are placed into a Corian® sink. Run cold tap water when pouring boiling water into the sink. Do not cut foods directly on top of countertops. Avoid exposing all surfaces to strong chemicals such as oven cleaner or paint thinner; to remove, flush immediately with water.
For more information: http://www.dupont.com/corian; follow links to Care and Maintenance.
Earthstone®
A solid-surface kitchen and bath countertop line manufactured by Wilsonart International Inc., Temple TX.
Routine cleaning: Clean with warm water and mild soap or non-abrasive household cleaner. Wipe away stains with soap and water or glass cleaner. See “Wilsonart® Sinks” for advice on cleaning companion sinks.
For the tougher stuff: Bleach and bleach-containing cleaners will cause discoloration over time and should be avoided. Abrasive cleaners should not be used generally, but may be used on matte finishes to remove tough stains, minor scratches or burns; buff after use. Contact dealer or fabricator before attempting to repair a gloss finish.
Precautions: Spills of paint remover, turpentine, nail polish remover and oven and drain cleaners should be washed off with water. Avoid cutting foods on the surface. A trivet with legs is recommended to support hot pans and appliances such as coffee pots, skillets, crock pots and frying pans.
For more information: http://www.wilsonart.com/solidsurface/residential/care/ss_care.asp.
Gibraltar®
A solid-surface kitchen and bath countertop line manufactured by Wilsonart International Inc., Temple TX. See Earthstone®.
For more information: http://www.wilsonart.com/solidsurface/residential/care/ss_care.asp.
Hi-Macs®
An acrylic, solid-surface countertop for kitchens and baths manufactured by LG Solid Surface Inc., Peoria AZ.
Routine cleaning. Use a damp cloth and mild cleanser. Abrasives such as Ajax or Comet may be used on matte finishes, but manufacturer recommends periodically cleaning the whole matte finish surface in a circular motion to maintain finish uniformity. Avoid spilling acidic products on the surface, such as drain, toilet and oven cleaners; all may cause surface whitening that is difficult to correct.
For the tougher stuff: Full-strength bleach will remove stains from food dyes, tea and fruit drinks. Bleach should not be allowed to remain on the surface for more than five minutes. Rinse with water and a general cleaner. Other stains can be removed with a non-abrasive scouring pad, using a circular motion.
Superficial scratches on matte finishes can be removed with a green scouring pad using a circular motion.
Precautions. Hi-Macs countertops can withstand temperatures to 225°F / 107°C, but LG recommends against moving hot pots and pans from the burner directly to the countertop. Extreme or prolonged heat will cause surface yellowing.
For more information: http://www.lghi-macs.com/care-cleaning.html.
Pergo®
Laminate flooring sold in the Presto® and Signature® product lines and manufactured by Pergo AB, Trelleborg, Sweden.
Routine cleaning: Sweep or vacuum with a hard-floor attachment. Damp mop using a 1:16 mixture of vinegar and water or 1:48 mixture of ammonia and water. Pergo flooring does not require waxing or refinishing. Avoid using soap or detergents, as these will leave a film, dulling the floor surface.
For the tougher stuff: Apply acetone (lanolin-free nail-polish remover) or denatured alcohol to a soft cloth before gently scrubbing persistent oil-based stains and spills; wipe residue with a clean, dry cloth. Candle wax and chewing gum should be allowed to harden and then removed with a blunt plastic scraper.
Precautions: Laminate flooring should never be waxed, polished, sanded or refinished. Pergo is scratch-resistant but not scratchproof; use walk-off mats at entrances and floor protection while moving lightweight furniture across the surface. Heavy objects should be carried over the floor. Avoid use of vacuum cleaner beater bar attachments, which can also scratch the finish. Color-matched finishing putty may be used to repair chips or dents 1/4 inch or less in area; remove and replace planks with larger dings.
For more information: http://www.pergo.com.
Wilsonart® Flooring
A high-pressure laminate floor finish manufactured by Wilsonart International Inc., Temple TX.
Routine cleaning: Vacuum using a floor attachment; wash with a terry-cloth mop using a soap-free household cleaner. For spot cleaning, use household cleaner and a soft cloth.
For the tougher stuff: Warm water and mild detergent will remove grease, juice and wine stains. For crayon, asphalt, shoe polish or nail polish, dampen a clean rag with mineral spirits, denatured alcohol or acetone (lanolin-free nail-polish remover). Candle wax or chewing gum should be allowed to harden and then removed with a dull, blunt knife or blade.
Precautions: Never wax, sand or apply lacquer to Wilsonart laminate flooring.
For more information: http://www.mairmg.com/wilsonart/homeowner/maintenance-view.cfm.
Wilsonart® Laminate
Countertops for kitchens, baths and other applications manufactured by Wilsonart International Inc., Temple TX.
Routine cleaning: Use a damp cloth or sponge and mild soap or detergent. Coffee or tea stains can be removed with a mild cleaner and a soft bristle brush. See “Wilsonart® Sinks” for advice on cleaning companion sinks.
For the tougher stuff: Persistent stains may be removed by preparing a paste of baking soda and water and lightly scrubbing the surface 10-20 times with a soft bristle brush. Clean up the following spills immediately as recommended below and rinse several times:
Drain cleaners, oven cleaners – Wipe off countertop immediately.
Dye – Wipe up using all-purpose cleaner or dishwashing detergent.
Toilet cleaners, rust removers – Wipe up immediately; wash in soapy water.
Precautions: Excessive scrubbing will mar the finish, particularly glossy surfaces. Extreme heat from hot pots, pans or dishes can cause blistering or cracking. Steel-wool pads will permanently damage the laminate countertop, and rust from such pads will stain its surface.
For more information: http://www.countertop.com/care/laminatecare.aspx.
Wilsonart® Sinks
Sinks and bowls for solid-surface and laminate countertop lines manufactured by Wilsonart International Inc., Temple TX.
Routine cleaning: Clean with warm water and mild soap; abrasive cleaners also work well.
For the tougher stuff: For minor scratches and burns, apply abrasive cleanser and buff with a green scouring pad using a circular motion.
Precautions: Keep harsh chemicals away, such as paint remover, turpentine, nail polish remover, stove cleaner or drain cleaner; flush any such spill with plenty of water.
For more information: http://www.wilsonart.com/solidsurface/residential/care/sink_care.asp.
Zodiaq®
A quartz/polymer solid surface countertop line for kitchens manufactured by E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Co., Wilmington DE.
Routine cleaning: Surface may be cleaned using a soft cloth and a non-abrasive cleanser. Avoid using bleach or any product containing bleach on this countertop. While Zodiaq resists permanent staining from liquids such as wine, vinegar, tea, lemon juice and soda, these spills should be wiped off the countertop quickly.
For the tougher stuff: Stubborn or dried spills may be cleaned with any standard household cleaner (allow to soak) and a non-abrasive scouring pad. A plastic putty knife can also be used to scrape away dried spills. Ink may adhere to the surface; clean as outlined in routine cleaning above; if stain persists, moisten a cloth with Greased Lightning™ or a comparable product, let stand 15 minutes and wipe with a clean, cotton cloth. Rinse the area thoroughly to remove any remaining cleaner residue.
Precautions: While the countertop can withstand high temperatures from hot pots, pans or dishes without being damaged, the manufacturer recommends the use of trivets or hot pads; hot skillets or roasting pans should not be placed directly onto the surface. Avoid exposure to strong chemicals or solvents, particularly bleach, bluing, inks, oil soaps, paint thinners, trichloroethane or methylene chloride.
For more information: http://www.dupont.com/zodiaq; follow links to Care and Maintenance.
