But, there are plenty of options you can choose from to recover and revitalize your kitchen worktops, no matter your style or budget. Choose a material such as paint, sheet laminate, or even tile to cover the worktops and breathe new life into them for a fraction of the cost and labor it takes to replace them.
If you like the layout of your laminate kitchen counters, then you should consider refinishing. Refinishing can completely restore your laminate countertops to a like-new condition and feel. And dozens of colors and textures are available to you, including a stone look using Miracle Method's Natural Accents.
Scrubs. Scrubbing is a great way to make the surface of a laminate countertop more even, which helps it have a more reflective shine. A great natural method is to mix baking soda with water to form a rough paste. This can be buffed onto the counter, then removed with a damp cloth.
Laminate worktop repair of scratches can be conducted easily. First, clean and dry the scratched area thoroughly and then applying a colour match worktop filler adhesive. Using a kit like the ColorFill Adhesive allows you to do laminate worktop repairs yourself and at minimal cost.
If you do not know when your kitchen worktop needs re-oiling, you can simply spill a little bit of water on the surface. If the water drip forms a bead, the worktop is ready to go, but if the water sits flat, it is time to re-oil your worktop. Sanding is an essential procedure prior to reoiling.
Countertop resurfacing is a fairly easy process of covering the existing surface with tile or sheet goods. In just a few hours or days, you can give your kitchen a whole new look at a fraction of the price of brand-new counters. Resurfacing works best over smooth laminate.
Although Danish oil works great on all types of wood, the thing that concerns most people is it can become sticky if not applied carefully. When you notice that the freshly applied Danish oil on your worktop is not drying properly, it's usually because the oiling has been done infelicitous and at an incorrect rate.
With regular oiling, real wood worktops should last for many years and will continue to mature in colour as you apply fresh coats of oil. It is recommended that for the first six weeks after installation, your worktops are oiled as regularly as possible, then approximately every three months thereafter.
Linseed or Tung Oil
Pure linseed oil or tung oil are better suited for treating hardwood worktops as they penetrate timber more effectively than other natural oils. Though it may take a long time, these rub-in oils will naturally dry or cure on their own.
When you've exposed the swollen part of the substrate, sand it flat and stabilize it (lock all those loose fibers together) with a thick coating of cyanoacrylate glue. Sand a little more, and check the flatness. Bear in mind that it's not a wedding cake or even a brand-new countertop; it doesn't have to be perfect.
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.
Laminate worktops
Over time your laminate counter may start to look dull - you can restore its shine by applying a laminate polish with a clean, dry cloth. Allow the polish to dry, then buff the counter with a second cloth.
Boiled linseed oil is a combination of raw linseed oil, stand oil (see above), and metallic oil drying agents (catalysts to accelerate drying). In the Medieval era, linseed oil was boiled with lead oxide (litharge) to give a product called boiled linseed oil.
Wax makes the wood more water-resistant, which will make it easier to wash and dry. This is also important for wooden worktops, which would be wiped with a damp cloth. These are often treated with oils that do a similar job, but the beeswax finish is more water resistant and more attractive.
The best way to apply oil to your wooden worktop is to pour it straight on to the wood. Try to always work in the direction of the grain and work the oil outwards with a clean, dry, soft cotton cloth. Aim to achieve a thin, even covering across the whole area of your worktop.