cleaning linoleum countertops

"xyz789" wrote in news:g54Ib.152954$% snipped-for-privacy@twister.tampabay.rr.com:

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.

"xyz789" wrote in news:S4qIb.161491$ snipped-for-privacy@twister.tampabay.rr.com:

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

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.