Scratch and Impact Protection
Laminate is resistant to scratches and impacts under normal use conditions. Use cutting boards, chopping blocks, or other protective surfaces. Do not chop, slice, pound, or hammer on any laminate surface. Knives or other sharp utensils may slice or scratch the surface. Heavy blows from a hammer or meat tenderizer may crack or gouge the surface. Use place mats, doilies, and trivets on laminate surfaces when necessary. Ceramics and abrasive objects can cause scratching and premature wear - do not slide these items across surface. Follow recommendations for cleaning - do not use abrasive cleaners, powders, steel wool, sandpaper, or Scotch-Brite® scouring pads (see Cleaning section). Hot Objects Cookware still hot from the stove or oven, as well as electric skillets, waffle irons, curling irons, and hot rollers, should not be placed directly on laminate surfaces.  Use a trivet, insulated hot pad or other protective device beneath all hot cookware, heat generating appliances, or other heated objects.  Avoid ironing or placing a hot iron on laminate surfaces. Do not place lighted cigarettes directly on laminate surfaces.

ORDINARY CLEANING
Laminate is very easy to clean.
In most cases, you only need to use a clean, damp, nonabrasive cotton cloth and a mild liquid detergent or household cleaner. Rinse with clean water, using a clean, nonabrasive cotton cloth.   Do not flood the laminate, especially near seams, since water can penetrate and cause the substrate to swell. Dry the surface with a soft, clean, nonabrasive cotton cloth. For specific types of surfaces, use the following care guidelines.

Matte and Sparkle Finish Laminate
Especially hard-to-clean areas may require special attention. Use a nylon-bristled hand or vegetable brush, along with a mild liquid detergent-and-water solution or household cleaner. Clean the soiled area, using a rotating motion. Rinse and dry the surface as indicated above.

Sculptured and Dimensional Finish Laminate
These surfaces may require special attention to clean the depressed areas. Use a nylon-bristled hand or vegetable brush, along with a mild liquid detergent-and-water solution or household cleaner. Clean the soiled area, using a rotating motion. Rinse and dry the surface as indicated above.

High-Gloss Finish Laminate
If residual streaks and smears remain after normal cleaning, use a mild glass cleaner and then dry with a clean, non-abrasive cotton cloth.

CHEMICAL DAMAGE
Never use cleaners containing acid, alkali, or sodium hypochlorite. These cleaners will mar, etch, corrode, and permanently discolor the laminate surface. Also, make sure that bottles, rags, and other materials contaminated with these cleaners never contact the laminate surface.

Examples of cleaners containing acid, alkaline, or sodium hypochlorite include, but are not limited to:
drain cleaners
metal cleaners
oven cleaners
ceramic cook top cleaners
rust removers
tub and tile cleaners
toilet bowl cleaners
some counter top cleaners
coffee pot cleaners
chlorine bleach
lime scale removers

SPECIAL CLEANING RECOMMENDATIONS
Not recommended for use by homeowners or any individuals other than a professional due to chemical odor and some flammable solvents. 

Residual Glue
Sometimes new decorative laminate has a streaky appearance caused by contact adhesive used during fabrication. Clean with a non-abrasive cotton cloth and an adhesive solvent such as Nonflammable Contact Adhesive Solvent. Use solvent sparingly, as excessive amounts may delaminate edges. Read and follow all warnings and instructions on the labels of all solvent products.

Paint and Varnish
Remove most oil-based paints, varnishes and lacquers from decorative laminate surfaces with a suitable solvent. Read and follow all warnings and instructions on the labels of all solvent products, and remember that most solvents are extremely flammable. Use solvent sparingly, as excessive amounts may delaminate edges. Remove most water-based paints with an ammoniated household cleaner. For stubborn paint spots, gently use a plastic, non-metallic, non-abrasive pad.             Never use steel wool or other abrasive scouring pads.

Stains
To remove or minimize stains, use full strength Fantastik® All Purpose Cleaner, Formula 409,® Pine-Sol® or other mild household cleaner on the affected area, and allow it to draw out the stain. Blot with a clean, damp, non-abrasive cotton cloth, and then rinse with clean water. When a recommended cleaner changes its formulation, the change may be harmful to the laminate surface. Mulvihill's Custom Counter Tops, L.L.C. cannot be held responsible for these changes. Follow all directions and warnings on the solvent label because many are extremely flammable.

Stubborn or "fugitive" stains that may disappear on their own, after a short time or after repeated cleanings, include:
food stains
glass rings
food dyes
water marks
coffee and tea stains
fingerprints

Stains which are stubborn or even permanent, and may not disappear, include:
wood stains
cash register inks
indelible inks
news print
marking pen inks
food pricing inks
label inks

Some materials and liquids, such as dyes and pharmaceutical products, will permanently stain laminate. Examples include:
hair dyes and rinses
silver nitrate
laundry bluing
tannic acid
Mercurochrome®
providone-iodine
dermatological tar compounds
peroxide

These stains may be reduced by applying a paste of baking soda and water on the area to pull out the stain. The paste will be slightly abrasive, so do not rub. Wipe up the paste with a clean, damp, non-abrasive cotton cloth, and then rinse with clean water.

Periodic application of a self-cleaning wax such as Pledge® can help minimize future staining.

Scotch-Brite® is a registered trademark of 3M Company. Fantastik is a registered trademark of DowBrands Inc. Formula 409® and Pine-Sol® are registered trademarks of The Clorox Company. Mercurochrome is a licensed trademark of Beckton Dickson.

************************************************************************** Mulvihill's Custom Counter Tops, L.L.C. hopes that all the information given above will help your new laminated counter top last you years of happiness.
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© 2003-2008 Mulvihill's Custom Counter Tops, L.L.C.
Metairie, La.
(504)833-4945

*Mulvihill's Custom Counter Tops, L.L.C. cannot be held liable nor responsible
for all information given on this site. Information purpose only.