30
Apr

Glass Countertop Maintenance – Prevent Scratching

Your glass countertops are relatively new, but you still dread the thought of something happening to them. For example, a huge scratch down the middle of the counter would break your heart.

You have children and pets in the house, so you want everyone to be on the same page to maintain the pristine quality of your glass countertops. How do you prevent scratches? Here are our best suggestions!

Use Potholders and Placemats

Whether you utilize your glass countertop for making food or plating it, you never want to put pots and pans directly on the counter. The metal can scrape the glass if you’re not careful. Even dinnerware should be separated from the glass countertop with a nice set of placemats.

Don’t Forget the Coasters

If your family enjoys a beverage on the countertop, please make sure they always use coasters. A sweating drink can slip right off the glass countertop and splatter to the floor anyway, giving you another mess to clean up!

Avoid Abrasive Cleaners

When it comes to cleaning your glass countertop, please skip the harsh chemicals. The abrasiveness of these products can scuff up the glass. Sure, you’ll get a streak-free shine, but at what cost?

Keeping your glass countertop clean is actually very simple. You only need a dollop of dish soap and some water. When wiping the countertop from top to bottom, clean in one direction to prevent streaks when the glass dries.

Dry with a Soft Cloth

Sponges–especially those with harder cleaning sides–are too rough for glass. That’s also the case with wiry cleaning pads. Use a soft cloth instead, one for cleaning the countertop and another for drying it.

Keep Pets Off the Counter

A large dog can easily leap halfway up your new glass countertop if they smell food, and nimble cats can jump onto your counter and wreak havoc with their nails. Now is very much a good time to spend some time training Fido or Fifi so your curious pet stays off the counter.

How to Buff Out Glass Countertop Scratches

Oh no! You’re not sure how or when it happened, but you’ve discovered a scratch on your glass counter. If the scratch is only surface-level, then you can easily buff it out with some household products, including baking soda, toothpaste, or clear nail polish. Here’s how.

  • Baking soda buffing: Fill a small glass with a couple of tablespoons of water and add in half a cup of baking soda. Put the mixture on the scratch and rub in one circular direction continuously. You may have to do this a few times before the scratch disappears. Clean away the baking soda residue with a soft, wet cloth.
  • Toothpaste buffing: A squirt of toothpaste and a clean cloth can also remove glass countertop scratches. Make sure your toothpaste is not gritty or it will only make the scratch worse!
  • Clear nail polish buffing: With a careful hand, you can paint over a glass scratch with clear nail polish. Do let the area dry before touching.