Everyday Item That Potentially Damages Your Kitchen Countertop, resulting in Expensive Fixes
In the heart of every home, the kitchen worktop stands as a testament to daily cooking, chopping, and spills. Yet, experts warn that one of the most damaging risks to these worktops isn't something you eat or drink, but a simple 30p plastic shopping bag.
Reusable plastic bags, often adorned with vibrant designs using strong dyes, can pose an unseen danger. When these bags become damp, the dyes can transfer and cause stains on kitchen surfaces, especially porous stones like granite, quartz, or marble.
These dye particles seep into tiny natural fissures and pores in the worktop, bonding beneath the surface and creating stains that normal cleaning methods can't shift. Leaving a wet bag for life on a worktop for a short time can trigger permanent staining.
If you spot dye transfer on your kitchen worktop, act immediately. Blot the area with a dry cloth rather than rubbing, as rubbing can further embed the stain. In case of dye transfer, try warm soapy water as a first step to remove the stain.
If the stain persists, consider using a multi-surface spray, followed by a cream cleaner like CIF or The Pink Stuff. Acetone can be used as a last resort to remove dye stains from kitchen worktops.
However, dye transfer from reusable plastic bags often results in deep-set marks that may require professional polishing or even full worktop replacement, which can be a costly consequence.
Moreover, plastic bags pose a hidden risk on kitchen tables because they can harbour germs and contaminants, potentially leading to virus transmission if hands or food come into contact with them without proper hygiene measures like washing hands afterward.
While red wine, coffee, curry, and other food and drinks are commonly assumed to be the biggest threats to kitchen worktops, the risk of dye transfer from wet reusable plastic bags is often overlooked but can be one of the most surprising and damaging culprits in the kitchen.
So, next time you're unloading your shopping, remember to keep your reusable bags dry to protect your beloved kitchen worktop.
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