7 Easy-Care Kitchen Benchtops to Make Your Life a Breeze
Your days are busy enough without the excessive wiping, scrubbing and resealing some benchtops require. Here's how to choose wisely
Christine Tusher
30 August 2014
Houzz Contributor
I’ll be honest: When my now-husband and I were talking about moving in together, his kitchen pretty much sealed the deal. As it had stainless-steel appliances, a gorgeous black granite benchtop and a layout that made workflow easy, I couldn’t understand why the man hadn’t so much as boiled water since he moved in. To me that kitchen was just begging to be cooked in. So when the time came to prepare a meal in what was now our kitchen, I couldn’t have been more excited.
My joy quickly evaporated when I discovered that it took a good 15 minutes of sponging, buffing, polishing and buffing again to get that black benchtop to shine. And even then, the shine lasted only until someone set a glass down.
So when we found a fixer-upper and decided to renovate, I was determined to find and install the easiest-cleaning, lowest-maintenance benchtop. Granite was instantly out, not only because of my bad experience with a black granite benchtop but because I didn’t want to have to reseal it annually, even though it’s a pretty easy process. And while I love the look and durability of marble, my family isn’t always diligent about wiping up stains and I foresaw a splash of coffee or an errant squirt of lime juice marring its surface. I also considered concrete but quickly crossed it off my list due to its porousness and the risk of cracking – and once again, I didn’t want to have to seal or wax it.
In the end I rounded up several nearly maintenance-free surfaces to consider for my kitchen – including a couple I hadn’t heard of before. Here they are…
My joy quickly evaporated when I discovered that it took a good 15 minutes of sponging, buffing, polishing and buffing again to get that black benchtop to shine. And even then, the shine lasted only until someone set a glass down.
So when we found a fixer-upper and decided to renovate, I was determined to find and install the easiest-cleaning, lowest-maintenance benchtop. Granite was instantly out, not only because of my bad experience with a black granite benchtop but because I didn’t want to have to reseal it annually, even though it’s a pretty easy process. And while I love the look and durability of marble, my family isn’t always diligent about wiping up stains and I foresaw a splash of coffee or an errant squirt of lime juice marring its surface. I also considered concrete but quickly crossed it off my list due to its porousness and the risk of cracking – and once again, I didn’t want to have to seal or wax it.
In the end I rounded up several nearly maintenance-free surfaces to consider for my kitchen – including a couple I hadn’t heard of before. Here they are…
1. Engineered stone
Sold under brand names including Ceasarstone and Silestone, and often referred to simply as quartz, this benchtop material is made of crushed stone bound together by a polymer resin. Engineered stone benchtops are non-porous and resistant to stains and scratches, and the only maintenance they require is a wipe-down with mild soap and water.
Sold under brand names including Ceasarstone and Silestone, and often referred to simply as quartz, this benchtop material is made of crushed stone bound together by a polymer resin. Engineered stone benchtops are non-porous and resistant to stains and scratches, and the only maintenance they require is a wipe-down with mild soap and water.
2. Soapstone
Soapstone’s durability has made this material a top choice for hundreds of years. Its density makes it resistant to stains and bacteria, and it’s unaffected by heat. To clean it, simply wipe it down with mild soap and water.
On the flip side, soapstone develops a darker patina over time and can scratch or chip. While some people feel this gives their benchtops character, others prefer to sand soapstone regularly to keep it looking like new.
Soapstone’s durability has made this material a top choice for hundreds of years. Its density makes it resistant to stains and bacteria, and it’s unaffected by heat. To clean it, simply wipe it down with mild soap and water.
On the flip side, soapstone develops a darker patina over time and can scratch or chip. While some people feel this gives their benchtops character, others prefer to sand soapstone regularly to keep it looking like new.
3. Laminate
Yes, that’s a laminate benchtop. I did many double takes when I started looking at them, too. The newest laminate benchtops not only come in a wide variety of gorgeous finishes, but they’re just as stain proof and easy to clean as ever.
Yes, that’s a laminate benchtop. I did many double takes when I started looking at them, too. The newest laminate benchtops not only come in a wide variety of gorgeous finishes, but they’re just as stain proof and easy to clean as ever.
4. EcoTop
This bamboo and paper composite with its trademarked name was completely new to me, but the green material quickly won me over. It’s scratch resistant and stain proof, it’s durable and it won’t discolour over time. And cleaning couldn’t be easier: Just wipe it with a soapy sponge and you’re good to go.
You will, however, have to maintain the sacrificial layer that makes this surface so durable. The manufacturer recommends buffing and resealing it every three months to three years, depending on wear and use.
This bamboo and paper composite with its trademarked name was completely new to me, but the green material quickly won me over. It’s scratch resistant and stain proof, it’s durable and it won’t discolour over time. And cleaning couldn’t be easier: Just wipe it with a soapy sponge and you’re good to go.
You will, however, have to maintain the sacrificial layer that makes this surface so durable. The manufacturer recommends buffing and resealing it every three months to three years, depending on wear and use.
5. Zinc
While stainless steel will leave you wiping up every fingerprint, zinc darkens over time, developing a gorgeous patina. It is also non-porous and bacteria resistant, and needs only a quick wipe-down to be cleaned.
While stainless steel will leave you wiping up every fingerprint, zinc darkens over time, developing a gorgeous patina. It is also non-porous and bacteria resistant, and needs only a quick wipe-down to be cleaned.
6. Lava stone
Impervious to heat, stains and cold, and virtually maintenance free, lava stone might be the Holy Grail of benchtops. But the price per metre is high and there’s a waiting list to boot, so there’s a reason why you don’t see this material more often.
Impervious to heat, stains and cold, and virtually maintenance free, lava stone might be the Holy Grail of benchtops. But the price per metre is high and there’s a waiting list to boot, so there’s a reason why you don’t see this material more often.
7. Recycled glass
Recycled glass is another green building material that’s becoming increasingly common. Woodmeister Master Builders checked in with the homeowners whose kitchen is pictured hereand they gave it this glowing review: “These counters are very easy to clean. I use a light Scotch-Brite sponge and soapy water, or Method all-purpose cleaner and a sponge or paper towel,” says the home owner. “Nothing – including oil, coffee, juice, etc. – has stained these counters.”
Find a kitchen designer in your area
TELL US
What’s your favourite benchtop material, and which one do you like the least? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
MORE IDEABOOKS
Find Your Ideal Kitchen Benchtop Right Here
How to Pair Kitchen Splashbacks and Benchtops With Ease
Expert Guide: How to Prepare for Your Kitchen Benchtop Installation
Recycled glass is another green building material that’s becoming increasingly common. Woodmeister Master Builders checked in with the homeowners whose kitchen is pictured hereand they gave it this glowing review: “These counters are very easy to clean. I use a light Scotch-Brite sponge and soapy water, or Method all-purpose cleaner and a sponge or paper towel,” says the home owner. “Nothing – including oil, coffee, juice, etc. – has stained these counters.”
Find a kitchen designer in your area
TELL US
What’s your favourite benchtop material, and which one do you like the least? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
MORE IDEABOOKS
Find Your Ideal Kitchen Benchtop Right Here
How to Pair Kitchen Splashbacks and Benchtops With Ease
Expert Guide: How to Prepare for Your Kitchen Benchtop Installation
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@Denise Redmond, It looks very similar to Neutral Twill Matt by Formica. Mandi @ Dura
We have granite countertops throughout our kitchen and in all the bathrooms. Have never sealed it, clean it with whatever (Scrubbing Bubbles, Clorox wipes, soap and water), and it continues to look beautiful after 14 years. It probably came with a sealant on it. What makes a big difference in terms of showing spills and water spots is the color. We put Blue Pearl in our master bath (essentially black), and I wipe the counter every day to keep away the water spots. On the other hand, the Gold Kashmir in the kitchen hides everything too well so that I have to double-check to ensure that I have gotten up every spill.
I have had Ecotop counter tops in the kitchen for 15 years. I am not a meticulous cleaner, and I am a fairly messy cook. I have never buffed the countertops, and they look as good as they did when they went in. They are white and show no staining whatever.