If you have laminate countertops, you might have tried everything to make them shine like their stone counterparts, such as granite. If you have attempted and failed to make this happen, you may have given up and decided to just wait until you can afford actual granite to get the shine that you're hoping for. The good news is that there is a trick you can use, in the meantime, to make your laminate counters shine like granite, and all it takes is a little elbow grease, some cleaning products and car wax.      

Step 1: Collect Your Materials

• several clean clothes
• all-purpose cleaner
• baking soda
• a spoon
• a small bowl
• abrasive household cleaner
• car wax

Step 2: Clean the Counter

Clean the counter by spraying on the household cleaner and wiping away the dirt.

Mix together a little baking soda and water in the small bowl until you have a paste with the spoon. Apply this paste to any stubborn stains that the cleaner didn't clean. Leave the paste on the spots for several minutes, and then wipe it away with a wet cloth.

Pour a small amount of abrasive household cleaner on the entire counter and scrub it lightly with a different wet clean cloth. Rinse out the cloth and wipe down the counter. Continue this process until all the abrasive cleaner is gone.

Step 3: Apply the Car Wax

Dip a dry clean cloth into the container of car wax and apply it to the laminate, working in circular motions. Be sure to apply even pressure on the entire surface of the counter, just like you would your car. Leave the wax sitting on the counter for about 10 minutes before moving on to the next step.

Step 4: Remove Excess Wax

Use another dry rag to buff out any remaining wax. Stand back and look at the counter at various angles to look for streaks. If you see any, buff them out.

Caution: Always use trivets or potholders to set hot pans on, so that heat from the pans doesn't melt the wax. Additionally, use cutting boards when preparing meals to prevent a waxy residue on your food.

Expect this process to take about an hour or two depending on how many stains your counter has, and how much abrasive cleaner you use. The majority of your time will be spent removing the cleaner and applying the wax. Ask a cleaning professional (such as one from Paramount Janitorial Services) for more ideas on making your laminate shine like never before.