Care and Maintenance Guide for Solid Surfaces

Solid surfaces are a brilliant material, a man-made acrylic composite first introduced by DuPont in 1967 under the name of Corian. While Corian has remained the standard, you'll find a variety of brands have entered the market since its inception, increasing the need of understanding the product. Although they are more capable and lower maintenance than laminate worktops, solid surfaces still have their vulnerabilities that any owner has to keep in mind - this page will teach you about your worksurfaces and how to make sure you keep them as they were built: to last. While you'll find the majority are near identical when it comes to cleaning and general safety, additional information and the relevant PDFs will be provided on specific brands for clarity.

Firstly, what should I know about solid surfaces?

Solid surface competes with naturally occurring materials such as granite, marble, quartz, able to mimic the appearance and hard-wearing strength of each. What gives it the edge over these natural materials is its versatility and resilience compared to each. Unlike these materials, solid surface is a naturally hygienic product due to its non-porous properties as an acrylic composite, the surface able to completely block out dirt and water from penetrating the surface unlike porous stones, leaving the substances to sit at the top of the material. Because of this, particles and liquids that typically allow bacteria or mould to form, or even water damage, have nowhere to take root. When combined with further sealing through the use of coved upstands into splashbacks exclusive to the material, solid surfaces are impermeable. Solid surfaces are also a lot more flexible to work with, their heat resistance making them suitable for thermoforming which allows for the product to be fabricated into curved unique shapes unlike any other - with the décor that runs the entire way through the core of the product staying consistent between cuts from tools no special than ones used for wood.

With this information out of the way, how do we then utilise it in care?

Everyday Cleaning

Because stains do not form like they usually do on solid surfaces, cleaning after a typical day in the kitchen becomes a lot more straightforward, a simple wipe clean with a damp microfibre cloth or sponge soaked in water often being all you need. But just because liquids cannot penetrate your worktop, you should still always wipe spills as they occur as common spills known for their staining can still cause problems if not taken seriously. In these instances of a stubborn stain, the inclusion of soaps or general household cleaning sprays of your choice is recommended, some examples inspired by Corian's own suggestions are as follows:

Possible Spills Cleaning Method
Everyday cleaning A. Wipe clean with water and a standard household kitchen spray or detergent.
Coffee, vinegar, acidic fruit juices, vegetable staining, ketchup, dyes, cigarette burns, ink and marker pen, red wine, blood, perfume,  B. Wipe clean with a mild abrasive cleaning product, introduce diluted bleach* followed by a warm water rinse.
Nail varnishes C. Follow the method of B, but substitute bleach with a NON-ACETONE* based nail varnish remover.
Iron/Rust D. Follow the method of B, but substitute bleach with a metal cleanser or rust remover.

 

The finish of your surface may also influence your methods - darker or glossier colours will show scratching easier, and require unique levels of care when maintaining the top. Some general advice to keep in mind when following the above examples are as follows:

  • Matt or Satin Finishes: Rub the stain with a scouring cleanser and sponge with water in a circular motion before drying.
  • Semi-Gloss Finish: Use water with a non-abrasive cleanser and diluted bleach with a non-abrasive scourer to avoid scratching. Non-abrasive polish may be used to keep the worktop's shine.
  • High-Gloss Finish: Follow the same directions for semi-gloss worktops, but use a white polishing compound with a sponge if an area's gloss has dulled. 

 

* It is of note that bleach is able to discolour solid surfaces if not removed completely and rinsed. 

* Acetone-based products will cause chemical damage to the surface directly. Try not to do your nails in the kitchen!

Preventing Damage

Solid surfaces are durable with few weaknesses, harbouring a powerful impact resistance that makes other materials look bad - but they are not indestructible, and may scratch or find themselves damaged as easily as a lesser top if handled improperly. Here are some things to keep in mind when installing solid surfaces into your home:

Scratches

Solid surfaces are not immune to the edge of a knife, and abrasion marks will build up if you chop directly onto the surface with a blade. You should always use a dedicated chopping board when using sharp tools around your worktops, much like with any other material. Be aware that dark colours will always make scratches more apparent, along with dust and other wear and tear that can build up in the kitchen. We can however remove scratches which we will touch upon further down this page, so don't fret just yet if your worktop has developed them.

Heat Damage

Solid surfaces have a natural level of heat resistance that keep them going allowing for built-in hobs, but you should always try to be responsible and minimize direct contact with heat at all times, as they are not invulnerable. Never place a hot pan from your oven or hob onto the surface without any form of heat protection pad to place it on top of. Hot pans will damage your worktop if placed directly onto it as they would with anything, and an overhanging pan that's the incorrect size on a hob puts you at risk of the surroundings being scorched too. Portable kitchen appliances that generate heat beneath them like toaster ovens should also be separated from the worktop, ideally with a rubber-footed trivet or similar products. Never try to substitute a heat protection pad with something not designed to insulate and protect such as a cloth or towel.

Solid surface sinks are a common victim of heat damage - boiling liquids should never be poured into a solid surface sink without a corresponding amount of cold water. Because of this, we cannot recommend instant boiling water taps for use without the selection of a different material for your sink, or a container within the sink to collect boiling water, as this form of damage is typically outside of any brand's warranty. Lastly, allow cookware that has recently been used to cool before placing it into the sink for cleaning. All forms of heat that hit up to temperatures of  80°c are inherently harmful to solid surfaces.

Chemical Damage

Strong chemicals present in certain cleaners or raw substances can be fatal if handled incorrectly and should always be washed away with soapy water then rinsed clean the instant they make contact with your worktop, prolonged exposure can cause extreme damage which can void certain brand warranties if mistreatment is suspected.

Some products to avoid leaving on the surface are:

  • Acetone-based products such as nail polish remover (as previously mentioned, for actual nail polish spills, non-acetone-based removers are okay)
  • Cleaners containing methylene chloride
  • Mineral spirits
  • Paint thinners
  • Oven cleaners
  • Liquids with strong acids and bases like acid drain cleaners

 

While it is unlikely some will come in contact with your worktop with the right precautions, these risks have been recorded more times than you would expect, so always be aware.

My Worktop Has Been Damaged, What Can I Do?

DO NOT WORRY! Here at WT Laminates, we have a dedicated workshop for solid surfaces that falls under the DuPont Quality Network, and have been working with, fabricating, and repairing solid surfaces like Corian among other products for years. As such, we have a dedicated and experienced team who can come out to your home personally and, more often than not, repair it on site then and there.

Solid surfaces are renewable as they are homogenous, solid materials that remain consistent from one end to the other, and all of the damage examples on this page including impacts to the surface can be renewed, either with a professional re-sanding and buffing as is standard, or by joining new pieces of solid surface taken from the offcuts directly into the top with a near-seamless finish if the damage is big enough and covered. Even if no damage has been done, we still recommend a resanding check-up to all of our customers each year to ensure that your worktops have retained their original integrity and stay at their best.

If this interests you, then contact our sales team for a quote today.

Brand-Specific Information

Corian

Care & Maintenance for the Home

Care & Maintenance for Facility Managers

Tristone

Care & Maintenance Guide

Durasein

Care & Maintenance Guide

Hanex

Care & Maintenance Guide

Staron

Care & Maintenance Page

Care & Maintenance Guides (PDF Downloads)

MISTRAL

Care & Maintenance Guide

Mirostone

Care & Maintenance Guide

Meganite

Care & Maintenance Guide

Note: Meganite also offer an enhanced variant of their solid surface named AcryMed, with built-in antimicrobial protection designed with effective maintenance solutions for healthcare services in mind.

Refer to the official brochure.but follow standard Meganite care guidelines.

Hi-Macs

Care & Maintenance Guide

Get In Touch

Get In Touch

Contact wt laminates

Units 10 to 12, Newport Business Centre, Corporation Road Newport South Wales NP19 4RF

info@wtlaminates.co.uk

01633 251908

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