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The countertop is like a relationship. Some are easy-going and low-maintenance (this is watching you, Quartz), while those that require constant attention require constant attention. If you are unwilling to work hard, you may regret it. Maybe not today. Maybe not tomorrow. But soon-and the rest of your life on the countertop.

I joked that it is important to properly maintain your countertops, which are one of the mainstays of the kitchen. Otherwise, your investment may be scratched, cracked or soiled.

"Countertop care is not a panacea," said John Galeotafiore, CR product testing director. "Depending on the material, maintenance may be as simple as wiping with soapy water, or it may be as laborious as regular oiling."

Therefore, it is crucial to understand what you should and should not do with your particular counter.

Here, we detailed how to clean various types of countertops and keep them in good condition. Know what kind of maintenance your counter needs, how to clean and remove stains without damaging the counter, how to repair cuts and scratches, and other useful suggestions. If you are shopping, it is worth considering all of these.

For more information on how to clean existing countertop materials, click the link here: Butcher Block • Concrete • Granite • Laminate • Marble • Quartz • Recycled Glass • Soapstone • Solid Surface • Stainless Steel • Ceramic Tile (Ceramic or Porcelain)

To see how all countertops perform in our rigorous laboratory tests, please refer to our countertop ratings.

The wooden countertop creates a warm and quiet kitchen (the plates will not touch it), but depending on its surface treatment, it may require high maintenance. The lacquered meat block counter is very good at stain resistance and has received excellent ratings in our tests, but the varnish may be scratched or melted at high temperatures. The oiled meat is the only countertop that can be directly chopped and sliced, and hot cookware can be safely placed. However, it scored "Poor" in our dyeing test and requires regular oiling to prevent warping or cracking.

Cleaning Whether your meat is varnished or oiled, wipe the surface with a clean towel and warm soapy water after each use, and then dry it thoroughly with a clean paper towel. To disinfect, use a solution of 1 teaspoon of bleach mixed with 1 quart of water.

For the stains on the painted meat block, please use light sandpaper or fine steel wool to sand it away. Depending on the depth of the stain and the degree of sanding, you may need to paint the surface again.

The oily butcher block stains can be removed by sprinkling salt on the area and wiping with a damp sponge or paper towel. For stubborn stains, sand the area with fine sandpaper and then re-oil it. Always sand parallel to the wood grain to avoid tearing the wood fibers. For stuck mess, use a bench scraper or metal spatula.

The painted butcher block does not need to be repaired or oiled to maintain it, but if it is damaged, it needs to be sanded and repainted. To protect oiled meat, re-oil it at least once a month. Use cloth or paper towels to spread food-grade mineral oil evenly. Let it penetrate completely overnight, and then wipe off the excess.

For extra protection, apply an even layer of beeswax-based wood paste after oiling the wood. Never use cooking oil to treat meat chunks, as it will deteriorate and damage the wood.

If you have painted meat, do not cut directly on the surface (use a cutting board) or place hot cookware directly on it (use a tripod). Heat can melt the varnish; it did it in our tests. Use a tripod or thermal pad under all heating countertop appliances.

Oiled butcher block counters may be subject to more abuse; you can cut them open and place the hot pot on the surface. If you like to prepare all your food in one place, the materials may wear out unevenly, so work in a different area each time.

Repair it with fine sandpaper to remove the nicks and minor scratches on the two types of meat, and repaint or re-oil the place. 

The lacquered wood has a coating to protect it. Oiled wood is easily damaged by water, so never leave liquids on it, as they will seep into the countertop and cause it to warp. If this happens, rebalance the moisture in the wood by applying a lot of oil on the concave surface and sticking the plastic (plastic wrap or dry-cleaning bag) to the convex surface. Keep oiling the concave surface every day until the wood is flat.

You might think of concrete (made from a mixture of cement and rock, sand and gravel) as a tough material. But it is easy to chip and scratch, and if it is not properly maintained, fine lines may appear. 

Like most natural countertop materials, concrete is porous and needs to be treated with a local or penetrating sealant. Partially sealed concrete counters can prevent stains well and received an excellent rating in this test. But its heat resistance is only average in the CR test. Concrete countertops treated with permeable sealants received an excellent rating for heat treatment, but a poor rating for stain resistance.

Cleaning For these two types of concrete counters, please use a sponge or towel and mild liquid dishwashing detergent to wipe. Avoid using abrasive solutions, such as ammonia or bleach, and any acidic substances, including citrus and vinegar, which will wear down the sealant and damage the stones in the concrete.

Irregular food stains such as mustard and juice can usually be removed with bleach. Soak a cotton ball or paper towel with bleach, place it on the stain, and place a heavy glass on it for 5 to 10 minutes. Oily stains may require more aggressive methods, such as using a plaster made of absorbent powder and liquid solvents to suck the stain out of the concrete. (They are available in hardware stores.)

Maintain it. Always use cutting boards and tripods on the concrete counter. Cutting directly on partially sealed concrete countertops will damage the sealant, and acids, including citrus and vinegar, will corrode the stone. Hot cookware will discolor the sealant. It is also a good idea to place a thermal pad between the counter and the heating appliance.

For added protection and polished appearance (regardless of how the concrete is sealed), apply food safe wax once a month. Use a damp sponge or cloth to apply a thin layer of wax in small portions at a time in a circular motion. Then use a dry cloth to polish in the same circular motion. When you notice that the water is no longer beading on the surface, it's time to wax again.

To repair it for minor scratches, use acrylic sealant and a very fine art brush to fill in the scratches. Use a cotton swab to remove excess parts while the sealer is still wet. Once the touch-up is dry, use fine sandpaper to blend the spots into the rest of the countertop, or borrow a nail polish pad from the manicure kit. You can also use wax to hide minor wear marks, but this is only a temporary repair.

If there is a slight etching, wipe the spot with fine sandpaper. If the damage is extensive, you need to hire a professional to polish the site, fill the exposed pinholes with grout, and then reseal the surface.

The same goes for cracks and gaps: you need professionals to fill the cavity with color-matching epoxy, then repair and reseal.

This stone is harder than other natural surfaces (such as marble and soapstone), has fewer pores, and is therefore more resistant to stains and abrasion. Granite can withstand a lot of abuse and get the highest score in our rating to withstand our staining, heat and scratch tests. According to the Natural Stone Research Institute, most granite countertops do not need to be sealed, but the sealant will make it more moisture-proof than it is now.

Cleaning For daily cleaning, please use a non-abrasive sponge or cloth dipped in warm water and mild dishwashing liquid to wipe the granite. Wipe dry with a microfiber cloth to avoid leaving streaks. Do not use acidic cleaners, including vinegar; these chemicals will attack the stone.

If you need to disinfect the countertop, please mix 50/50 water and rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle and spray it. Let it sit for 3 to 5 minutes, then wipe it with a damp cloth and dry it with a microfiber cloth.

To maintain it to seal the granite countertop, be sure to follow the instructions attached, because the methods vary. In general, you need to clean the granite thoroughly, rinse it, and then dry it. You can apply or spray the sealant and let it absorb into the stone for 5 to 15 minutes, then wipe off the excess and polish the surface with a dry cloth. Check the product to see how long you need to reapply the sealant. A good rule of thumb is to reapply as long as the water droplets no longer bead on the surface.

Repair It Minor surface scratches can be polished off with dry superfine steel wool. Deep scratches and nicks on the stone surface should be repaired and re-polished by professionals.

To remove the etching marks left by exposure to acid, moisten the surface with water and sprinkle the top with granite polishing powder (available at hardware stores). Wipe with a damp cloth or polishing pad. Continue polishing until the etching marks disappear and the surface is shiny. Wipe it thoroughly with a damp cloth and let it dry completely before resealing the counter (if the rest of the counter has been sealed before).

If your countertop shows small cracks or chips, you can repair it yourself using a natural stone repair kit purchased at a home improvement store. These kits usually include an epoxy syringe and the tools you need. Make sure to follow the instructions, but usually you need to clean the area with an ammonia-based cleaner and dry it thoroughly, then fill the damaged area with epoxy until it is flush with the surface. Let it dry for at least 24 hours, and then gently scrape off the excess filling with a razor blade. If you don't want to repair it yourself, you can hire a professional.

This countertop material is made of multiple layers of paper or fabric, which are bonded to composite wood and laminated with resin. The pattern and color choices are unlimited. In the CR test, the laminate has excellent stain resistance and heat resistance. Their maintenance costs are also low, but they are not completely worry-free; they are easily scratched and scratched.

Cleaning For daily cleaning, use a soft sponge or cloth and a mild dishwashing liquid mixed with water. Avoid using steel wool, it will dull and scratch the surface. Harsh chemical cleaners such as bleach can also abrade and permanently discolor the laminate surface.

Although laminate is one of the most stain-resistant materials in our tabletop tests, stains may still appear. Remove the stains by applying a paste of baking soda and water to the area for 5 minutes. The paste will be a bit abrasive, so don't rub it. Wipe the paste with a damp cotton cloth and rinse with water.

Maintaining it This countertop does not require much maintenance. Just don't cut food directly on it or drag pots and pans over it. This will leave obvious marks on the surface, and stains will settle in any cuts and scratches. 

To repair it you will have to tolerate any scratches or cuts on the laminate counter, because this material is not easy to repair.

Marble is beautiful-many engineering materials try to imitate it. But it is the queen of countertops. This kind of stone is porous and soft, and it is easy to get stains, abrasions and heat. In fact, it received a "poor" or "fair" rating in all our benchtop tests. If you are not careful, you may need to do a lot of work to remove stains and perform repairs. The good news is that most damage can be repaired. 

Cleaning For daily cleaning, use a soft sponge or cloth dipped in warm water and mild dishwashing liquid. Wipe dry with a microfiber cloth to avoid streaks. Do not use abrasive or acidic cleaners, including vinegar, as they will dull the stone or permanently etch it.

Immediately clean up spills, especially red wine and coffee, even if sealed, it can quickly stain the marble. Soak up the spill with a paper towel; wiping will spread it. Rinse the area with water and mild liquid dishwashing detergent and rinse several times. Wipe dry thoroughly with a soft cloth.

If stains have formed, use acetone, bleach, household detergent, or ammonia to clean oily stains. (Don't mix any of these chemicals together.) For coffee stains and tea stains, mix a few drops of hydrogen peroxide with a drop or two of ammonia. Use bleach or hydrogen peroxide to clean ink stains. Rust stains require plasters available at hardware stores to help remove stains. If the marble is etched after processing, please follow the repair instructions below to deal with the etching marks.

Maintain it hard to seal the marble and wipe up the spill immediately. Once properly sealed, the stone will be more resistant to daily chaos. To check if the sealant is still good, put a few drops of water on the surface for 15 minutes. If water seeps into the stone, it is time to reseal it.

To seal the marble countertop, be sure to follow the instructions that come with the product. In general, you should thoroughly clean the marble with mild liquid dishwashing detergent, then rinse and dry. You can apply or spray on the sealant, let it absorb into the stone for 5 to 15 minutes, then wipe off the excess and polish it with a dry cloth. 

Do not place hot pans or pans directly on the stove or directly outside the oven on the countertop; this will cause it to crack. The tripod is your friend.

Always use a cutting board to prepare food, because marble is easily scratched.

Do not allow acidic foods, such as citrus, vinegar, and tomatoes, to touch the marble. Acid will corrode the stone very quickly. Always place coasters under wine glasses and coffee cups to help avoid stains.

It can be polished with superfine steel wool to repair minor surface scratches. Deep scratches and nicks on the stone surface should be repaired and re-polished by professionals.

Can remove etching marks caused by acid. First, moisten the surface with water and sprinkle with marble polishing powder (available at hardware stores). Rub the powder on the stone with a damp cloth or polishing pad. Continue polishing until the etching marks disappear and the marble surface shines. Rinse thoroughly and let it dry completely before resealing the counter.

If your countertop shows small cracks or chips, you can use natural stone repair kits available at home improvement stores to repair them. Please refer to the granite repair recommendations above to learn how to do it.

This durable countertop combines synthetic materials with the best materials provided by nature. This engineering material is made of stone chips, resin and pigments. This combination can provide the appearance of real stone while also withstanding considerable abuse. Quartz is strong (it ranks among the best in many of our benchtop tests), waterproof, and does not require sealing.

Cleaning For daily cleaning, just wipe the countertop with a damp cloth or paper towel. If necessary, you can also use a small amount of non-bleaching, non-abrasive detergent. A solution of rubbing alcohol and water is also very effective.

For stubborn or dry dirt, use a non-abrasive cleaner, such as Soft Scrub.

To combat food stains, mix 2 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide, 1 cup of flour, and enough water to make a paste. Apply to the stain, cover with plastic, let the mixture dry for 24 hours, then remove it with warm water and a soft cloth. For ink stains, moisten a cloth with Goo Gone or a similar oil-based product, and then wipe it into the stain. Rinse thoroughly with warm water to remove any residue.

Maintaining it Compared to many other countertops on this list, Quartz actually requires no maintenance. Just avoid putting heavy objects on it, as this may cause it to crack or chip. So be careful of those cast iron pots and pans.

Repair is the same as with granite and marble. If your quartz countertops occasionally show small cracks or chips, you can use repair kits available at home improvement stores to repair them yourself.

Most recycled glass countertops have shards or fine ground glass embedded in adhesive. The result is an artistic, colorful countertop that resists heat, cutting, and abrasion well in our tests, but breaks easily under impact. Depending on the adhesive used, it can be low-maintenance. If it is resin, the countertop will be non-porous and does not need to be sealed. But some brands use cement as an adhesive, which means that the countertop needs a sealant to prevent stains and etching. You should follow concrete care and maintenance techniques (above). The following tips apply to recycled glass countertops made of resin.

Cleaning For daily cleaning, please use a damp cloth and a mild general cleaner. Do not use bleach or harsh chemical cleaners.

For stubborn stains, leave a little general cleaner on it before scrubbing with a non-abrasive sponge.

In addition to paying attention to potential stains and heavy objects that may crack or chip the surface, recycled glass countertops do not require special maintenance.

Repairing it cracks and debris needs to be repaired by the manufacturer. If a piece of glass pops out, be sure to save it so that you can reinsert it.

Naturally non-porous and quite stain-resistant soapstone countertops provide you with a natural look without fuss; no sealing required. Its heat resistance is very good, but it is a soft side for stone, so it is susceptible to scratches and abrasion, and it scores low in these aspects in the CR test.

Clean It soapstone is resistant to chemicals and acids, so you don't need to worry about harsh chemicals and acidic foods corroding it. Cleaning only requires water and a mild all-purpose cleaner or liquid dishwashing detergent.

Maintaining it, the new soapstone is light gray, but it will darken to a rich charcoal color when it comes in contact with oil. To ensure uniform darkening of the color, please treat it with mineral oil. When applying oil for the first time, pour the mineral oil directly on the soapstone surface, and then wipe the entire surface with a dry cloth. Let it stand for 30 minutes, then wipe off excess oil.

Re-oil it once a month for months to years, depending on how deep soapstone you want. The general guideline is to reapply mineral oil when the water leaves visible spots on the surface.

You can put hot cookware directly on the soapstone; heat will not break it. But rough materials such as cast iron will scratch it. So be careful not to drag the heavy pan across the surface. Also don't use sharp tools directly on it.

It can be repaired by using mineral oil to remove or cover up minor scratches. Larger scratches can be removed with sandpaper. Sand the scratched area in circular motions until the scratches are almost gone, then use finer sandpaper to do the same thing, but this time with a little water. Because sanding will brighten the spots, then apply oil on them. It may require several coats until the color matches the rest of the counter.

Solid surface treatment is an artificial material made by mixing polymer resin with minerals and colorants. It can be a solid color, or it can look like stone or even metal. It is non-porous, quite heat-resistant, and can resist most stains in the CR test. Although you don't need to seal it, it does scratch and cut easily.

Cleaning For daily cleaning, please use warm soapy water or an ammonia-based detergent. 

To disinfect, wipe the surface with diluted bleach (1 tablespoon of bleach to 3 cups of water).

Keep it to keep the countertop dry. If water remains on the surface, the film will accumulate on the surface, making the countertop look spotty and uneven.

Do not place hot pots or pans directly on the counter; use a tripod. 

Repair it. The solid surface may be scratched, but it can be repaired. Use a mild liquid abrasive (such as Soft Scrub) to remove small scratches or stubborn stains, and then wipe with a damp sponge or cloth in small circular motions. Rinse thoroughly and dry completely. If the scratches still exist, repeat with greater pressure. For cuts, wash the area with hot soapy water and dry it. Wipe the scratches with fine sandpaper, and then polish with a scouring pad in a circular motion. If the countertop is shiny or deep cut, it is best to ask a professional.

Stainless steel is heat-resistant, stain-proof and easy to clean. It is a countertop material specially designed for professional chefs. It is non-porous, so you don't have to worry about putting hot cookware on it. In other words, stainless steel is not indestructible. It is prone to dents and scratches; it scores low on these features in the CR test, which eventually brought it closer to the bottom of our score. Some chemicals can change its color.

Cleaning For daily cleaning, use warm water and liquid dishwashing detergent or ammonia and a non-abrasive sponge or soft cloth. Rinse with water and wipe dry. Avoid using steel wool pads, which will leave steel particles on the surface and quickly form rust marks. If you do not rinse thoroughly with water, bleach or acid will stain and corrode the surface.

Keep it away. Do not leave acidic foods such as citrus, tomatoes, and vinegar on the counter for a long time; the acid will stain the surface.

Stainless steel is easy to scratch, so always cut food on the cutting board, not directly on the counter.

In order to protect and maintain gloss, please use stainless steel cleaner or polish regularly.

It can be repaired by wiping off minor scratches with a scouring pad. Deep scratches need to be sanded and then polished with a scouring pad. When scrubbing and polishing, follow the texture (the pattern may be round or brushed in one direction). If the counter is dented, you will have to hire a professional to try to smooth it. If this does not work, the panel needs to be replaced.

Tile is waterproof and heat resistant, making it an ideal material for use near stoves and perfect for chefs who will not be disturbed by a tripod. In our benchtop tests, the tiles received an excellent rating for their ability to resist scratches and thermal damage. However, although tiles can prevent stains well, if you do not pay attention to sealing, the grout will stain and mold.

Cleaning For daily cleaning, use a mild all-purpose spray cleaner. Do not use harsh cleaning products, as they will damage the grout and glazed tiles.

For grout stains and mold, dip the toothbrush in diluted bleach (1 tablespoon beach and 2 cups of water) and scrub the area, or use a special grout cleaner.

Tiles are resistant to scratches, etching, and food stains, but ink stains may be permanent, so be careful when writing on them. For tile stains, try baking soda and water for oily stains; hydrogen peroxide for coffee, tea, and juice; and diluted bleach (again, 1 tablespoon of beach and 2 cups of water) for ink and dye.

Use an internal grout sealant compatible with the countertop tile type to maintain the seal grout at least once a year.

Repair If the tile is broken, you can ask a professional or replace it yourself. Chisel out broken tiles and insert new tiles, then re-grouting and resealing.

We respect your privacy. All email addresses you provide will only be used to send this story.

I cover the intersection of people, products, and sustainability, and try to provide humorous but useful advice for everyday life. I like to delve into how things work, and debunking myths may be my favorite pastime. But my most important goal is to give a guiding voice when you shop, tell you what is value, what is piracy, and what is suitable for you and your family.

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