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You don’t need a cutting board. In fact, cutting is the original purpose of butcher block countertops. That said, wood is porous and can harbor germs. You’ll need to clean your countertop thoroughly after use. Knives can also scratch the surface. This adds to the patina of the wood, but not everyone likes the look—in which case, you may want to use a cutting board.

If you are building a laminate countertop from scratch, instead of buying premade laminate countertops, you can use particle board underneath the laminate. You will need to use a sheet of particle board for the substrate, along with four-inch strips underneath the edges. For proper installation, make sure that any seams are level and use a sander as necessary before installing the laminate.

You can occasionally use hydrogen peroxide to remove stains on concrete and granite countertops. Hydrogen peroxide is an oxidizing agent that cleans without bleaching surfaces, which is why it’s so popular as a budget-friendly cleaner. However, it’s still somewhat acidic, so you should use it sparingly on certain countertops.

Painting your countertops is a good idea if you want to spruce up your kitchen or bathroom without having to install brand-new counters. It's also cost-effective, and it's a project that most DIYers can take on. Since there are so many paint colors to choose from, you'll be able to easily customize your countertops to fit your home's aesthetic.