One of the biggest selling points of epoxy countertop resurfacing is how easy the finished surface is to maintain. No sealing, no re-grouting, no special treatments — just a few simple daily habits and a handful of things to avoid. Follow this guide and your resurfaced countertops will look as good in year ten as they did on day one.
Daily Cleaning: Keep It Simple
The non-porous nature of epoxy is what makes it so easy to clean. Unlike laminate or tile with grout lines, there's nowhere for bacteria, grease, or food residue to hide.
What to use:
- A damp microfibre cloth or soft sponge
- Mild dish soap (a small drop is all you need)
- Warm water
Wipe down after cooking, rinse with a clean damp cloth, and you're done. For most Calgary kitchens, this is all the daily maintenance you'll ever need.
What to avoid for daily cleaning:
- Abrasive scrubbing pads or steel wool — these will dull the gloss finish over time
- Bleach-based cleaners — they can discolour the surface with repeated use
- Ammonia-based cleaners (including many glass cleaners) — can cloud the topcoat
- Acetone, paint thinner, or solvent-based cleaners — will damage the epoxy
Dealing with Stubborn Stains
Epoxy is highly stain-resistant, but not completely stain-proof if spills are left to sit for extended periods. Here's how to handle the most common problem spills:
Coffee, wine, juice: Wipe up promptly with a damp cloth. If it's dried, a small amount of dish soap on a soft cloth will lift it completely.
Grease and cooking oil: Dish soap cuts through grease easily. Apply a small amount directly to the spot, work it in gently with a soft cloth, then rinse clean.
Permanent marker or ink: Rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) on a soft cloth will remove most ink marks without damaging the surface. Test in an inconspicuous spot first.
Dried food or residue: Soak with a damp cloth for a few minutes to soften, then wipe away. Never use a metal scraper or knife to remove dried residue — use a plastic scraper if needed.
Dried paint or adhesive: A small amount of rubbing alcohol or a plastic scraper used gently. Avoid acetone — it will damage the topcoat.
Heat: Use Trivets, Always
This is the most important protective habit for epoxy countertops. The topcoat is heat-resistant, but not heatproof. Prolonged direct contact with very hot surfaces — a cast iron pan straight from the stove, a slow cooker running for hours — can cause the topcoat to yellow or develop a white haze.
The rule: always use a trivet or heat pad under hot cookware. This takes about two seconds and completely eliminates heat damage risk.
A brief contact with a warm pot (not screaming hot) won't cause damage — it's sustained heat that's the issue. But the habit of using trivets is easy to build and worth it.
Cutting: Always Use a Cutting Board
Epoxy is scratch-resistant, but not scratch-proof. Cutting directly on the surface with a sharp knife will eventually leave marks in the topcoat. Beyond the cosmetic issue, cutting boards are a basic food safety practice anyway.
Keep a cutting board on the counter and use it every time. This single habit will preserve the gloss finish indefinitely.
Protecting the Edges
The edges of your countertop — particularly the front lip — take more impact than any other area. Avoid hitting the edges with heavy pots, pans, or appliances. Edge chips are the most common form of damage we see on resurfaced countertops, and they're almost always preventable.
If you do chip an edge, contact us — minor edge repairs are straightforward and covered under our workmanship warranty.
What About the Sink Area?
The area around the sink is the highest-wear zone on any countertop. Water pooling around the sink base, cleaning products splashing, and constant wiping all add up. A few habits help:
- Wipe up standing water around the sink promptly — don't let it sit
- Avoid leaving wet sponges or cloths sitting directly on the surface for extended periods
- Use a sink mat or rack to keep dishes off the surface
Long-Term Care: What to Expect Over the Years
A professionally resurfaced epoxy countertop will maintain its gloss and colour for many years with normal care. Here's what to expect over time:
Years 1–3: The surface should look essentially identical to day one with normal care.
Years 3–7: Very light surface micro-scratching may become visible in high-traffic areas under certain lighting. This is normal and doesn't affect the protective properties of the surface.
Years 7–10+: Depending on use, you may notice some dulling of the gloss in the most-used areas. At this point, a professional polish or topcoat refresh can restore the original appearance — this is a much simpler and less expensive process than a full resurface.
Our 3-Year Workmanship Warranty
Every countertop resurfacing project we complete in Calgary is backed by a 3-year workmanship warranty against peeling and delamination. If the surface fails due to a workmanship issue — not normal wear or misuse — we'll fix it at no charge.
Quick Reference: Epoxy Countertop Care Dos and Don'ts
Do:
- Wipe clean daily with a damp cloth and mild dish soap
- Use trivets under hot cookware
- Use cutting boards for all food prep
- Clean up spills promptly
- Use soft cloths and non-abrasive sponges
Don't:
- Cut directly on the surface
- Place very hot pots or pans directly on the surface
- Use abrasive scrubbers, steel wool, or harsh chemical cleaners
- Use bleach, ammonia, or acetone-based products
- Let standing water sit around the sink for extended periods
Questions about your resurfaced countertops? We're always happy to help. Call us at 587-703-1113 or email [email protected] — we serve Calgary and surrounding communities including Airdrie, Okotoks, Cochrane, and Chestermere.
