How do you polish a Formica® laminate tabletop? Again, the most practical way to clean and polish your counter or tabletop is with a dry, clean, non-abrasive microfiber cloth and a little elbow grease. You can also use Hope's Perfect Countertop spray and wipe wax to polish Formica® laminate and give it an extra shine.
To make the countertop shine, spray them with a vinegar solution. Mix 2 cups water with 1 tablespoon vinegar in a spray bottle (Image 1 below). Spray the countertop down, and allow the solution to sit for 2 minutes (Image 2 below). Finally, wipe the counter clean.
Painting formica countertops to look like granite is easier than you think. The key is to give the countertops a thorough cleaning first, as this will help the paint stick to the surface.
Faux granite paint can be applied on top of your existing kitchen or bathroom countertop. It can also be applied directly to plaster walls, exposed brick, fireplace surrounds and table tops. With a few steps and a few days, your old laminate or Formica countertop will resemble a hard, glossy granite.
Add Shine
To put a shine on your granite, pour a little cooking oil on a soft cleaning cloth and wipe it across the countertop. Buff it gently. This makes the counter a little bit stain-resistant and gives it a glossy shine.
Laminate, Formica®, and Wilsonart® are all essentially the same thing; laminate is the substance, and Formica® and Wilsonart® are the brand names. Both types are widely marketed for kitchen countertops, bathroom vanities, and bar counters and available in a variety of colors and designs.
Use a multi-surface cleaner such as Windex® Multi-Surface Disinfectant Cleaner to clean and shine countertops made of sealed granite, sealed marble, Corian®, Formica® and more. For a gentle clean that also works on a variety of surfaces, try Windex® Vinegar Glass Cleaner.
Original Gel Gloss – 8oz
Highly recommended for use on acrylics, Corian, porcelain, ceramic, Formica and stainless steel surfaces.
Gloss Countertops? EliteForm Makes it Possible. While many laminate products only offer gloss finishes for vertical applications like cabinets, Formica® Laminate with EliteForm technology is so durable that we can now offer our popular Gloss finish for horizontal applications, including countertops!
You can also use a white vinegar and water solution to clean formica. Mix together equal parts white vinegar and water and then apply to the surface. Spray high gloss surfaces with glass cleaner.
Transform your laminate countertops using paint — the ultimate DIYer's friend. Faux granite is one of the most forgiving of all decorative painting projects — the mottled look is easy to get using sponges and a dabbing motion, and you can just keep going until it looks right.
Normal Cleaning
Abrasive cleaners, powders and abrasive cleaning pads should never be used on your laminate countertop - they will scratch and damage the laminate and make it susceptible to staining.
Quick Shine 3-IN-1 MAX SHINEPOWER, 24 oz-6PK, is crafted for quick & easy living to instantly clean, shine and protect all non-porous surfaces with Clean Shine Technology. It can be used on wood, quartz, granite, stainless steel, glass, furniture, cabinets, countertops, mirrors, auto interiors, leather and more.
Because formica is made from a laminate material, it can withstand a vast majority of household cleaners like all-purpose kitchen cleaners, dish soap, vinegar, and more. The material won't etch with acidic cleaners, nor will it blur from soap solutions.
Simply get a quality soap film remover to get the shine back. High mineral content in your water (hard water) can also result in a dulling buildup on your countertops. Most soap film removers will do the job, but you can also find combination soap buildup/mineral deposit removers that can tackle both problems.
To clean laminate countertops on a daily basis, all you need is dishwashing liquid, warm water and a microfiber cloth. Apply a mixture of dish soap and water to your counters using the cloth. As you wipe the counter, rinse your cloth in clean water.
Clean the surface thoroughly with non-abrasive soap and a soft cloth. To maintain the natural shine of a high pressure laminate countertop, clean it on a daily basis with an antibacterial surface cleaner and a soft microfiber cloth. This will minimize stains and prevent abrasive dirt from damaging the surface.
Quartz countertops are one of the best alternatives to granite counters in terms of durability, aesthetic appeal, functionality, and versatility.
Painting Countertops
This is possibly the least expensive way to cover up old countertops, especially old wood or linoleum countertops. It's very easy to paint your countertops yourself. Just sand, prime and then paint. You can use a pad sander, but sanding by hand will work just fine.