Caring For Your Kitchen Island Top

There are many choices of surfacing material for your kitchen island top,including granite, tile and butcher block. The amount of care  required for these different materials varies, but if you take the time to maintain the countertop properly, any one of these can be a beautful long-lasting solution.

Kitchen Island Top Problems

When island tops come from the factory they has been manufactured under exact conditions. This means that the moisture content is regulated and it is kiln dried to determined specifications. Once it is unpackaged and exposed to your kitchen's atmospheric conditions you may notice a big shift in size. This can result in cracks, dryness and other problems.

Susceptible to Moisture

A kitchen island top that is made of butcher block is susceptible to the moisture in the kitchen. Regular coatings of mineral oil and paraffin will help prevent damage and protect the top's beauty and longevity.

Look for Signs of Wear

After a few months of use the kitchen island top may show signs of dullness. This can be the result of either scratches, stains, or a rubbing off of the oils. Keeping an eye out for signs of wear will prevent the damage from becoming significant.

Cuts and Gouges

If you are preparing your food on the kitchen island top you may notice marks made by the knives. You do not have to think about replacing the top just yet. You can easily fix minor cuts and scrapes by lightly sanding with high grit sandpaper. This will help to smooth out the edges and fill in the cuts. Once the cuts are filled, apply a layer of oil or paraffin to seal it. Granite or tile countertops will come back to life with after a simple polishing with wax.

Protect from Warping

Because of the amount of humidity and moisture in the kitchen, the island top can begin to warp. Protect your  top from warping by keeping a liberal amount of mineral oil rubbed into the top. However, if you notice that the top is beginning to warp, apply plastic wrap to the concave side. Rub in the mineral oil to the other side everyday until the warp straightens out. With a tile countertop around high humidty, you may notice cracks in the grout and loose tile.

Do Not Leave Wet

When you are cleaning your kitchen island top, it is important to realize that you must dry it after cleaning. Leaving the surface wet can lead to the eating away of the oil, grout and sealant on the countertops. Once you have cleaned the top with warm water and soap, dry it thoroughly.

Taking the time to protect your kitchen island top will allow it to shine and look new for a longer period of time. It may also save you from replacing it in the near future.