cleaning linoleum countertops

Usually I use the same rag I just washed the dishes with after I rang all
the dish soap out of it, but it seems there is probably a better way. They
look and feel clean after I'm done but I would like to hear how some other
people do it. Thanks in advance for any advice.

"xyz789" <faust8098@yahoo.com> wrote in
news:g54Ib.152954$%h4.63714@twister.tampabay.rr.co m:

> Usually I use the same rag I just washed the dishes with after I rang
> all the dish soap out of it, but it seems there is probably a better
> way. They look and feel clean after I'm done but I would like to hear
> how some other people do it. Thanks in advance for any advice.
>
>
>

Do you really mean linoleum countertops? Haven't heard of anyone having
those in years. When I was a kid in the 1950s we moved to a house that had
a kitchen with "battleship linoleum" covering the floor, walls, and kitchen
counters. I remember my parents using a wax stripping solution to get down
to the real surface of the linoleum, then using paste wax to thoroughly
seal and polish it. This was repeated on the walls one a year, on the
floor about every 3 months, and on the counter about once a month. Daily
cleaning of the counter was the same as you have done, with a somewhat
soapy dishrag followed by a clear rinse and drying. It was always
spotless. Of course, back then it was really soap in the rag and not
detergent.

Wayne

You are right, I meant to write formica instead of linoleum. Now that's
cleared up, what do you think? Thanks again.

"Wayne Boatwright" <WayneBoatWright@SMN.worldnet.att.net> wrote in message
news:Xns9460D7FFA327Fwayneboatwright@204.127.36.1. ..
> "xyz789" <faust8098@yahoo.com> wrote in
> news:g54Ib.152954$%h4.63714@twister.tampabay.rr.co m:
>
> > Usually I use the same rag I just washed the dishes with after I rang
> > all the dish soap out of it, but it seems there is probably a better
> > way. They look and feel clean after I'm done but I would like to hear
> > how some other people do it. Thanks in advance for any advice.
> >
> >
> >
>
> Do you really mean linoleum countertops? Haven't heard of anyone having
> those in years. When I was a kid in the 1950s we moved to a house that
had
> a kitchen with "battleship linoleum" covering the floor, walls, and
kitchen
> counters. I remember my parents using a wax stripping solution to get
down
> to the real surface of the linoleum, then using paste wax to thoroughly
> seal and polish it. This was repeated on the walls one a year, on the
> floor about every 3 months, and on the counter about once a month. Daily
> cleaning of the counter was the same as you have done, with a somewhat
> soapy dishrag followed by a clear rinse and drying. It was always
> spotless. Of course, back then it was really soap in the rag and not
> detergent.
>
> Wayne
>

"xyz789" <faust8098@yahoo.com> wrote in
news:S4qIb.161491$b01.3549137@twister.tampabay.rr. com:

> You are right, I meant to write formica instead of linoleum. Now
> that's cleared up, what do you think? Thanks again.

In that case, when I have had Formica countertops, I routinely cleaned
them with products like Glass Plus, 409 All-Purpose Cleaner, etc., using
paper towels. I find cleaners like this are much more effective than a
soapy rag.

If your Formica surface has dulled, there are polished specifically
designed for laminate surfaces and they work pretty well, although the
shine dulls with use.

Wayne

>
> "Wayne Boatwright" <WayneBoatWright@SMN.worldnet.att.net> wrote in
> message news:Xns9460D7FFA327Fwayneboatwright@204.127.36.1. ..
>> "xyz789" <faust8098@yahoo.com> wrote in
>> news:g54Ib.152954$%h4.63714@twister.tampabay.rr.co m:
>>
>> > Usually I use the same rag I just washed the dishes with after I
>> > rang all the dish soap out of it, but it seems there is probably a
>> > better way. They look and feel clean after I'm done but I would
>> > like to hear how some other people do it. Thanks in advance for any
>> > advice.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>>
>> Do you really mean linoleum countertops? Haven't heard of anyone
>> having those in years. When I was a kid in the 1950s we moved to a
>> house that
> had
>> a kitchen with "battleship linoleum" covering the floor, walls, and
> kitchen
>> counters. I remember my parents using a wax stripping solution to
>> get
> down
>> to the real surface of the linoleum, then using paste wax to
>> thoroughly seal and polish it. This was repeated on the walls one a
>> year, on the floor about every 3 months, and on the counter about
>> once a month. Daily cleaning of the counter was the same as you have
>> done, with a somewhat soapy dishrag followed by a clear rinse and
>> drying. It was always spotless. Of course, back then it was really
>> soap in the rag and not detergent.
>>
>> Wayne

I have painted Formica countertops with great success. Sand lightly,
paint with two coats of good undercoat paint- tinted the color you want.
I use satin finish. I have also covered them with contact paper-in a
rent house where I couldn't do anything permanent with them.

I have also had great success. I use a primer which bonds to the laminate
then tint (if desired) then a few coats of polyurathayne for a durable
surface. If you can faux finish your results can be incredible.

"cynthia mason" <crmason@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:6809-3FF61D8D-695@storefull-2336.public.lawson.webtv.net...
> I have painted Formica countertops with great success. Sand lightly,
> paint with two coats of good undercoat paint- tinted the color you want.
> I use satin finish. I have also covered them with contact paper-in a
> rent house where I couldn't do anything permanent with them.
>