Views: 10 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2025-09-24 Origin: Site
Solid Surface is so easy to keep clean, as it is entirely non porous, and stain resistant. This article shares Solid Surface cleaning advice, giving a detailed description of how to easily clean the material in a short period of time. In a nutshell, you can clean Solid Surface using household cleaner, and if tackling more stubborn marks, Bar Keepers Friend, and the surface would be returned to its former glory.
For everyday cleaning, all you need is:
Mild Dish Soap (like Dawn or Joy)
Warm Water
A Soft Cloth or Non-Scratch Scouring Pad (like a white 3M pad)
Mix a few drops of soap with warm water, wipe the surface, rinse with clean water, and dry with a soft towel to prevent water spots.
This is your go-to routine for maintaining the surface.
What to use: Mild liquid dish soap, warm water, a soft sponge or cloth.
Method:
Mix a few drops of dish soap into a bowl of warm water.
Dampen your cloth or sponge in the solution and wipe the surface.
Rinse thoroughly with a clean cloth and plain water to remove any soap residue.
Dry with a soft towel to prevent water spots and streaks, especially on darker colors.
Solid surface is non-porous, making it resistant to harboring bacteria, but it's good practice to disinfect occasionally.
Recommended Cleaners:
Rubbing Alcohol (Isopropyl Alcohol): A 50/50 mix with water is excellent and leaves no residue.
Ammonia-Based Cleaner: Like a mild window cleaner (e.g., Windex).
Diluted Bleach Solution: For a stronger disinfectant, use a solution of 1 part household bleach to 10 parts water. Use this sparingly and always rinse thoroughly afterward.
⚠️ Important: Avoid harsh, abrasive cleaners like scouring powders (Comet, Ajax) as they can scratch the surface. Also, avoid strong solvents like acetone or nail polish remover.
The non-porous nature of solid surface means most stains sit on top and can be removed.
What to use: A non-abrasive cleaning pad (e.g., a white 3M Scotch-Brite pad) is your best tool.
Method:
Dampen the stain and the cleaning pad with your soapy water or a recommended cleaner.
Gently scrub the stained area in a circular motion.
Rinse and dry. The mild abrasion of the white pad is almost always enough to lift the stain without damaging the surface.
What to use: A plastic putty knife or a non-scratch pad.
Method:
Gently scrape the bulk of the material with the plastic putty knife. Hold the blade at a 45-degree angle to avoid gouging the surface.
Follow up with your non-abrasive pad and soapy water to remove any residue.
Rinse and dry.
One of the biggest benefits of solid surface is that minor scratches and scuffs can be sanded out, making the surface look new again.
For light surface scratches:
Use a non-abrasive cleaner and a white pad with a bit of extra elbow grease.
For more visible scratches:
Use wet/dry sandpaper (silicon carbide paper). Start with a 400-grit paper, wet sand the area, and then progressively move to 600-grit to smooth it out.
For a perfect, uniform finish, you can follow with 800-grit or even 1000-grit.
This process will restore the matte finish. If you want to restore a high-gloss finish, you will need to buff it with a polishing compound after sanding.
Abrasive Cleaners & Pads: Steel wool, green or brown scouring pads, and powdered cleansers will scratch the surface.
Strong Solvents: Avoid acetone, paint thinners, methylene chloride, and strong oven cleaners. They can damage the surface and break down the acrylic/polyester resins.
Trivets & Hot Pads: While solid surface is heat resistant, it is not heat-proof. Always use a trivet or hot pad for pots and pans straight from the stove or oven. Extreme heat can cause thermal shock and lead to cracking or discoloration.
Using the Counter as a Cutting Board: Always use a cutting board. While sharp knives won't gouge it as easily as laminate, they will leave noticeable scratch marks.
| Do | Don't |
|---|---|
| Use mild dish soap & warm water for daily cleaning. | Use abrasive cleaners (Comet, Ajax) or abrasive pads (steel wool, green Scotch-Brite). |
| Use a non-abrasive pad (white Scotch-Brite) for tough stains. | Place hot pots and pans directly on the surface. Always use a trivet. |
| Use a plastic putty knife to gently scrape dried-on debris. | Use strong solvents (acetone, paint thinner, nail polish remover). |
| Disinfect with diluted bleach, ammonia, or isopropyl alcohol. | Use the counter as a cutting board. |
| Sand out scratches with fine-grit wet sandpaper (400-grit+). | Allow standing water for long periods; dry the surface after cleaning to prevent water spots. |
| Rinse thoroughly after using any cleaning product. | Allow harsh chemicals (drain cleaners, oven cleaners) to come into contact with the surface. |
Q1: Can I use vinegar to clean my solid surface countertops?
A: It's generally not recommended. While a very diluted solution might be used occasionally, frequent use of vinegar or other acidic cleaners (like lemon juice) can dull the finish over time and break down the protective layer. For long-term beauty, stick with mild soap and water or the recommended disinfectants listed in the main guide.
Q2: What should I do if my white solid surface countertop gets stained or turns yellow?
A: True solid surface materials are non-porous and resistant to staining and yellowing. However, surface stains can occur.
First, try cleaning with a non-abrasive cleaner and a white Scotch-Brite pad.
If a yellowish tint remains, it's often not the material itself but a buildup of residue from cleaners, oils, or waxes. Thoroughly clean the area with a degreasing dish soap or a diluted ammonia-based cleaner, rinse well, and dry.
If you suspect the yellowing is from heat damage (which can happen with extreme, direct heat), the surface may need to be professionally sanded and polished to restore its original color.
Q3: How do I remove a burn mark or heat stain?
A: Minor heat marks can often be sanded out. Start with a fine-grit wet sandpaper (like 400-grit), sanding gently in a circular motion. Follow with progressively finer grits (600, 800) to blend and smooth the area. For deep burns, the damage may have penetrated the surface, and the best course of action is to contact a professional fabricator for repair.
Q4: Can I set a hot pot directly on the surface?
A: No. You should always use a trivet or hot pad. While solid surface is more heat-resistant than laminate, it is not heat-proof. Extreme or concentrated heat can cause thermal shock, leading to cracking, permanent discoloration, or whitish heat marks.
Q5: How do I get rid of cuts and scratches?
A: This is one of the biggest advantages of solid surface! Minor scratches can be removed with a non-abrasive pad and cleanser. For deeper scratches:
Lightly sand the area with wet/dry sandpaper (start with 400-grit, using plenty of water).
Smooth it with a finer grit (600-grit).
To blend it to a matching finish, continue with even finer grits (800- or 1000-grit). For a high-gloss finish, you will need to buff it with a polishing compound after sanding.
Q6: What is the best way to clean around the sink area to prevent mildew?
A: The seamless sink integration is a key feature. To prevent mildew in the seam or around the drain:
Wipe down the entire sink bowl and surrounding area after each use to remove standing water and soap scum.
Regularly disinfect the area with a diluted bleach solution (1 part bleach to 10 parts water), let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse thoroughly and dry.
Q7: Are there any products I should absolutely avoid?
A: Yes. Avoid these at all costs:
Abrasive Cleansers: Powders like Comet or Ajax.
Abrasive Pads: Steel wool or dark-colored (green, brown) scouring pads.
Harsh Solvents: Acetone, paint thinner, methylene chloride, and strong oven cleaners.
These products will scratch and permanently damage the surface.
Q8: My countertop has lost its shine. How can I restore the gloss?
A: A matte finish can be restored to a gloss through a process of wet sanding and buffing.
Sand the surface progressively with fine-grit sandpapers (from 400 to 1000-grit) to remove imperfections.
Use a buffing pad on a low-speed polisher (or a lot of elbow grease by hand) with a plastic polishing compound (like Novus #2 or a brand recommended by your manufacturer).
For a high-gloss, showroom finish, this is best done by a professional.
Q9: Can I use a magic eraser (Melamine Foam) on solid surface?
A: Use with caution. A magic eraser works as a micro-sander. It can be effective at removing stubborn stains, but because it is mildly abrasive, it can also dull a glossy finish. It is safer to use on matte finishes. Always test in an inconspicuous area first and avoid using it on high-gloss surfaces.
By following these simple steps, your solid surface countertops will stay beautiful and functional for many years.
