Butcher Block Countertops Care

The elegance of butcher block countertops is unmatched. It adds a style statement and enhances the look of a kitchen. Butcher block countertops are made of wood with a natural finish. Many people prefer it over any other kitchen countertops because it prevents cross-contamination. However, as the surface of wood is porous and hygroscopic, liquids and juices from the cut foods get absorbed into the wood and cause damage to it. The surface also absorbs water from the atmosphere and swells up when the relative humidity is high. When the absorbed water dries up, the wood starts shrinking and leads to splits at the sides. Hence, butcher block countertops care involves cleaning and protecting your butcher block countertops. Read more on kitchen countertops.

How to Clean Butcher Block Countertops?

While cleaning the butcher block countertop, care should be taken that water does not get soaked into the wood. After every use, you should wash it with warm water in which dish washing soap has been added. Then take a soft piece of cloth, like a sponge or dish towel and dry the wood surface thoroughly so that no moisture gets absorbed into the wood.

As you are using it for the purpose of cutting food, you should disinfect it regularly to destroy the bacteria left behind by raw foods. For this, mix one part of household bleach into 10 parts of water. Dip a scrub brush into this solution and scrub the countertops well to get rid of the microbes. Then, rinse it off with clean water and dry it well with a clean piece of cloth. If you do not wish to use bleach on the countertops, you can also use white vinegar for the same purpose. It is harmless and at the same time it helps to get rid of odors left behind by the food substances. You have to apply vinegar on the countertop and then clean it off with a damp cloth after some time. Finally, use a dry piece of cloth to make it dry. Read more on:

• Kitchen Cleaning
• Cleaning with Vinegar

How to Care for Butcher Block Countertops?

The main aim of butcher block countertops care is to prevent any kind of damage caused by moisture and bacteria. For this reason, before the first use of butcher block countertops, it has to be seasoned with mineral oil. Pour some mineral oil into a piece of cloth and thoroughly wipe the surface of the countertop with it so that a thin layer of oil is formed on its surface. After one hour put another coat of mineral oil in the same way. Once the oil gets absorbed into the wood, apply a coat of beeswax over it. Then buff the surface with a soft cotton cloth to get a shiny surface. Such treatment of the new countertops enable it to increase its resistivity towards moisture. When you start using the the countertops, this process should be followed for seasoning the countertops at least once in a month for proper butcher block care. It will help to keep in check other problems, like, splits due to excessive drying or warping caused by uneven absorption of moisture in the upper and lower surface of the countertops.

A combination of table salt and lemon can be used to get rid of tough stains from the countertops. It can also act as a disinfecting agent. Make a paste of lemon juice and salt and spread it over the butcher block countertops and leave it untouched for a few minutes. Then clean it off with a towel soaked in cold water and then wipe off the excess water with a dry cloth.

To remove any kind of sticky residue from the countertops, you have to scrape it out first with the help of a putty knife. Then use a 60-grit sandpaper to clean off the remaining part of the sticky residue. Sand the surface of the countertops in small circles and do not sand the same area for a long time. If you do so, it is likely that the surface of the countertop will become uneven. Here's more on granite countertops.

Hope you find the information provided for butcher block countertops care helpful. As you can see, it is more delicate than the other countertops. Hence, you should use it carefully during food preparation. It should not be exposed to either excessive heat or cold. Do not let any harsh chemicals or detergents get spilled over its surface as it may lead to cupping or cracking that cannot be repaired.