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Over time, butcher-block countertops can lose their luster and look dull and dry. Give them a refresh with food-safe mineral oil or butcher-block conditioner (available at home improvement stores). Don’t use a food oil, like olive or vegetable oil, which will oxidize on the surface and start to smell.
Do butcher block countertops require maintenance?
While pretty, butcher block countertops require much more maintenance than their marble or stone counterparts. You’ll have to treat the surface with mineral oil to protect the natural wood and use sandpaper to sand down and fill in any nicks or scratches that have occurred.
How often should I oil my butcher block counter?
Remember that proper care of butcher block entails oiling the entire surface every six months or so, at minimum.
Can you use Clorox wipes on butcher block countertops?
Disinfecting. To disinfect your Traditions butcher block after cleaning use Lysol® or Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes. These wipes are available at Lowe’s, and report to kill 99.9% of viruses and bacteria when used as directed.
Can you put hot pans on butcher block?
Placing hot pots and pans directly on the butcher block surface is one of the most common mistakes homeowners make. It is also one of the most problematic. The hot items can burn and even crack the wood, leaving permanent damage, in most cases.
Should you seal butcher block?
If you used mineral oil to stain your butcher block, then you won’t need to seal the wood. The oil forms a barrier to keep stains from soaking in the wood. Never apply a sealer over a countertop finished with mineral oil. If you chose an oil-based stain, you can finish your countertops with polyurethane.
How do you clean untreated butcher block?
Scrape off any caked-on dirt and wipe away crumbs. Next, add a few drops of dish soap to a wet sponge, and give the butcher block a good scrub. Scrubbing along the grain of the wood will make the countertops cleaner. Rinse the sponge, and wipe the counter down with the rinsed sponge.
How do you disinfect a butcher block?
While wood has anti-bacterial properties, you should still disinfect a butcher block countertop. After you’ve cleaned it off, spray a mixture of white vinegar and water on the surface, spread it around with a damp cloth, let it soak in for a minute or two, and then wipe it off.
Does butcher block stain easily?
Con: Butcher-block is susceptible to scratches, dings, and stains. If you plan on chopping directly on your countertops, you’re going to end up marking things up a little (or a lot). That glass you dropped might just leave a dent, and the wine inside could settle into a stain. Pro: But they’re easily restored.
Can you over oil a butcher block?
There is no such thing as using too much butcher block oil. Once the wood is fully saturated with oil, it will not take on any more oil.
What oil is best for butcher block?
Food-safe mineral oil is recommended for regular upkeep and helps keep the surface stain-repellant and looking its best. However, repeated applications won’t build the surface or help repair minor wear like other products. Mineral oil also provides the most matte sheen of all our suggestions.
Can you use Windex on butcher block countertops?
From Waterlox’s website: “Avoid ammonia-based or bleach-based cleaning products like Lysol, Fantastik, 409, Windex (ammonia and bleach-based products will soften the oil finish if used frequently).” You just have to be really careful about only using soap and water to clean them.
What do you seal butcher block with?
To effectively seal your butcher block with a polymerizing oil, follow this regimen: Apply a coat of oil with a soft cloth.Oil-based butcher block sealants Mineral oil. Walnut oil. Coconut oil.
Can you use Murphy oil soap on butcher block?
Oil should be applied as needed to reseal the pores. Varnished butcher block countertops can be cleaned with Murphy’s Oil Soap or with white vinegar and water (1 cup of vinegar to 1 gallon of water). White vinegar is a good antibacterial cleaning agent.
What should you not cut on a butcher block?
Using. Avoid cutting raw meat or poultry directly on a butcher block or wooden cutting board. Instead, place a plastic cutting board on the wooden surface and use the plastic board as the cutting surface. This will protect the wood and prevent it from becoming contaminated.
Can I leave my butcher block unfinished?
Any finish is safe to use on a butcher-block table or countertop that will not be used as a cutting surface. If the surface won’t be cut on, the answer is simple: Any film-forming finish you would normally choose for durability and appearance will be just fine (Photo 1).
How do you seal a wood countertop?
You can seal your countertops with a butcher block oil like you do for cutting boards. But that requires frequent re-application to maintain the water-resistant seal. For our bathroom vanity, we used the Waterlox Original formula and it still looked amazing when we sold it after 3 years of constant use.
How do you make butcher block waterproof?
To seal butcher block with mineral oil, you simply apply the mineral oil generously, let it soak in, and wipe off the excess. You need to do it fairly regularly at first but then only about once a month after you’ve gotten through several applications.
Is Waterlox food Safe?
Waterlox is a superb choice for finishing wood countertops because it produces an incredibly appealing and durable surface. It is waterproof, food-safe and easy to maintain. Waterlox literally locks out water and locks in the natural beauty of wood. This is why it is the first choice for many wood enthusiasts.
