Resists Staining Eases Clean-Up

Stain Resistance

Concrete countertops are designed for an industrial or farmhouse look but they must be protected in order for them to be a practical material in the kitchen. To keep concrete countertops looking good, you are going to want to proactively protect and prevent any scratching or heat exposure. But beyond preventing direct surface to heat contact and using a cutting board, there are a few other factors to take into consideration.

Concrete Countertops

Concrete countertops may appear strong, durable and impossible to scratch or dent; however, they are not indestructible. If left untreated, concrete can easily stain and etch, especially if spills are not immediately clean up. In order to resist staining a sealer or coating is going to be the best option to protect, preserve and prolong the life of concrete countertops.

Penetrating sealers vs. Concrete coatings

There are two classes of products when it comes to choosing a product that will protect concrete from staining. A penetrating concrete sealer or a durable concrete coating. Penetrating concrete sealers are natural finish products with fluro polymers to resist staining from oils and greases. They are great options to lock out surface spills and materials from entering into the concrete, ensuring the spills remain pooled on the surface for easy clean-up. Penetrating concrete sealers are limited in their stain protection as spills do need to be cleaned up in a timely manner.

Durable concrete coatings do as their name suggests and coat the concrete to completely stop the penetration of fluids. Extremely resilient and resistant to chemicals, acids, and abrasions, spills can be left on the surface for extended amounts of time before needing to be cleaned up.

How to remove stains from concrete countertops

If concrete does stain there are a few methods for remediating the problem. The first step is to determine whether the concrete is truly stained, or if it is etched. Etching usually occurs from acidic substances like lemon juice. Stains on the other hand result from discoloration of coffee, mustard or red wine. Household bleach on a cotton ball or paper towel can help remove discoloration – always test first in an inconspicuous area. Oil based stains will darken concrete and will require a more aggressive removal method. A poultice can be used – a mix of baking soda and a liquid solvent such as acetone. The solvent will help the baking soda to soaking into the concrete and break up the stain, and the baking will draw the stain to the surface. You could also try Dawn dish detergent which is a good grease-cutting cleaner.