Corian countertops are among the most popular solid surface countertops in homes today.
They’re durable, heat resistant, non-porous, and also come in beautiful finishes that range from matte to high-gloss.
They’re also seamless (don’t have gaps that can serve as a breeding ground for harmful bacteria). And for home remodeling, they're are a cheaper alternative to granite and other counters.
However, over time, their glossy finish can fade away. But one of their most important features is that they are low maintenance and easy to clean. So this article will show you how to care for and clean your Corian countertops and sink.
You’ll also get to know materials that can potentially harm your counter. Without further ado, let’s get cleaning.
Ways to Care for and Clean Your Corian Solid Surface Countertops
Here’s how to clean everyday spills from your Corian surfaces so your countertops will always look nice to the eyes.
1. Don’t hesitate to wipe up spills
As with every solid surface, immediately wiping liquids off Corian countertops can go a long way in ensuring your kitchen counter is always looking neat and glossy.
Although Corian solid surface is non-porous, failure to do this can make the spill dry on your Corian countertop, and therefore make it difficult to clean. It can also dull the surface of your countertops.
And make sure you immediately dry the surface after cleaning your Corian countertop. You don’t want a film to build up over time and make it look dull or blotchy.
2. Clean with warm soapy water and a sponge
In a case where the spill dried up on the surface because you were too busy or didn’t see it earlier, clean with soapy warm water.
Dampen your sponge or dishcloth in warm water and add a bit of dish soap to it. And wipe it over the residue, and then rinse with warm water, and dry it up.
3. Use an ammonia-based cleaner for stubborn stains
Some stains can be so annoying and won’t come off when you clean Corian counters with soapy water. In such cases, you can use an ammonia-based cleaner.
Do this by spraying the cleaner or rubbing it on the Corian surfaces and wiping it up. Make sure you rinse with clean water and dry it up immediately to avoid leaving streaks.
You can also use oven cleaner to clean your countertops but make sure you study about it's result on different materials before you take any step.
4. A non-abrasive cleaner can also help
Not everyone has a cleaner made with ammonia at home. In scenarios where you’ve got stubborn stains, you may need to use a regular non-abrasive household cleaner.
Spray the cleaner on the countertop surface, and leave it to soak the stain for around two (2) minutes. Then clean up the Corian surface with your microfiber cloth, rinse and dry it.
5. Clean your countertops with quartz cleaner
If you’ve got Corian quartz countertops (which is different from the Corian solid surface), you can’t use any kind of cleaner on the counter. You should apply a quartz cleaner instead.
6. Revitalize your countertop’s shine with countertop polish
You can use a polish made for other countertop materials to make your counter shine. Simply take an amount of polish on a piece of cloth and wipe it on the counter in circular motions. Then buff off the polish with another piece of cloth.
Now you know how to clean your counter, here’s how to clean your Corian sink.
How to Care for Your Corian Sink
If you’re noticing your sink is becoming brown, you should follow these instructions to restore its glory.
At least once a week, try to remove fat and oily residues from your sink with a detergent or hard surface cleaner.
Then spray ¾ of household bleach and ¼ water on the sink, and leave it overnight. You shouldn’t let the time be more than 16 hours. The next morning, rinse the sink with a damp cloth. Then your sink can be appealing to the eyes once more.
Also make sure that the kitchen sink plumbing is good so you don't have grease and fat residue piling up!
More Tips on How to Care for Your Corian Counter
Here are the appropriate treatment methods for cleaning some specific spills from your Corian surface.
- Use a microfiber cloth and a small amount of diluted bleach to get rid of fat, oil, and grease. And to safeguard the countertop from getting stained, rinse thoroughly. But you should use the bleach on white Corian counters as they may cause the color of your non-white counter to fade. However, never use bleach to clean Corian quartz by DuPont, but other safe cleaning products that don’t contain bleach can be used.
- Try non-acetone nail polish remover to clean nail varnish. Rinse thoroughly afterward.
- To take care of stains from minerals, limescale, and hard water buildup, spray a limescale remover and leave for a few minutes. The acid in these kinds of cleaners will break down the stain. Then wipe off with a microfiber cloth and dry to avoid the build-up of film.
And finally, here are some best practices to care for your Corian surface.
Do’s
- Regularly clean your countertops surfaces with a microfiber cloth and cleaning kitchen spray to remove hard water.
- As soon as you notice spills on your kitchen counters, wipe them off.
- To prevent your sink from turning brown, apply a household cleaner overnight weekly.
- Use cleaners made with oxalic acid to remove brown stains (especially if it’s a white surface). Simply rub it on the counter and leave it before wiping it off.
- Always use Viakal gel to prevent the discoloration of your Corian counter.
- Use a damp cloth and a small amount of mild-abrasive cleaning product (like Soft Scrub) for cleaning these stains; coffee, tea, vinegar, dyes, citrus, polish, vegetable juice, lemon juice, red wine, blood, and mildew. But don’t apply it on high-gloss or dark surfaces.
Now here are practices and products you should avoid when cleaning and caring for your counter.
Don’ts
- Never put hot objects or utensils that produce heat (like a toaster) on your countertop surface else you’ll crack the countertop material. Instead place your hot pots, pans, hot tea, or coffee on a hot pad or trivet. Even though Corian counter tops are heat resistant, you should take precautions when using them.
- Avoid window cleaners as they can leave a waxy build-up.
- Avoid cutting or chopping on the Corian surface. This can lead to scars or abrasions on it. Instead, always use a cutting board.
- Don’t let hot water come in contact with your counter as it can damage the countertop material. Use a container to collect boiling water from boiling water taps.
- Don’t scrub with abrasive scouring pads, steel wool, or other rough materials on your counter. They can leave deeper scratches on the counter.
- However, you can use abrasive pads made by DuPont or sandpaper to remove film and make your counter sparkle. However, do this gently.
- Avoid acetone cleaners, paint remover, oven cleaner, or hard solvents. These can damage your counter.
Now you’re aware of all the ways to get rid of hard water, care for and revitalize your Corian counter, and also the materials to avoid. But if your counter is too old, damaged, or can’t be made to shine again, you should seek professional help to refinish the counter and restore its glory.
FAQ
What is the best cleaner for Corian countertops?
Ammonia-based cleaners. Soft Scrub is also great for removing small scratches.
Can you use Clorox wipes on Corian countertops?
Yes, you can use them on Corian solid surface.
How can I make my Corian countertops shine?
You can do so by using a DuPont abrasive pad. Polishing your counter can also make them shine.
Does vinegar harm Corian?
Yes, it does. But using distilled white vinegar and baking soda can be used to naturally remove scratches from your counter. It is a natural alternative to chemical cleaners.
