QA

Quick Answer: How To Clean Butcher Block Countertops

Scrub the countertop: Take a scrub brush or sponge and scrub the countertop with hot water and mild dish soap. Rinse with hot water: Run a clean dish cloth through hot water and rinse the countertop well. Sanitize with vinegar: Spray undiluted white vinegar onto the countertop, and let sit for a few minutes.

Can you use cleaners on butcher block countertops?

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.

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.

How do you care for butcher block countertops?

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.

Can I use bleach on butcher block?

Bleach: Bleach should be used as a last resort as it may discolor the wood and the smell may linger for days. If you must use bleach, create a solution using equal parts bleach and water and apply to your butcher block using a damp sponge or rag.

What kind of oil do you use on butcher block countertops?

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.

What cleaner can I use on butcher block?

Food residue may be scraped away with a smooth, flat, and ideally plastic spatula, and the surface should be sponged off with only mild-dishwashing soap. Undiluted vinegar, by the by, works great for cleaning and disinfecting butcher block, and this type of vinegar does not leave behind a strong, pungent odor.

Can butcher block get wet?

You can’t avoid getting your wood countertops wet when you’re preparing food. The finish we use on butcher block is food-safe. It’s not waterproof, but the type of moisture that touches butcher block shouldn’t damage the wood as long as you clean up immediately after preparing your meal.

How often do you have to treat butcher block countertops?

Taking care of the counters is fairly simple. Every four to six weeks when the counters start to look and feel dry, we treat them with a butcher block wax/oil combo.

How do you disinfect wood countertops?

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.

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.

Can you wax butcher block?

Step 7: Safe Finishes In hardworking kitchens, food-safe oils and waxes are ideal finishes for butcher block because they’re easy to wipe on, and, for the most part, there’s no wait for them to cure.

How do you clean wood countertops with vinegar?

Spray the countertop with vinegar. Pour some undiluted white vinegar into a spray bottle and spray the surface of your wood countertop with it. Let the vinegar sit on the surface for several minutes. Then rinse it off with a clean sponge or damp rag. This will help sanitize your wood countertops.

Does butcher block hold bacteria?

Because wood is porous, butcher block countertops can hold onto a lot more germs than other surfaces—though countertops are always dirtier than we’d like to admit. To combat dirt, grime and germs, make sure you clean the counter after every use with mild soap and water or vinegar (psst…Dec 15, 2017.

How do you clean a butcher block baking soda?

If your butcher block is emitting an odor, wipe down its surface with warm water and liquid dish soap to remove food residue. Once it is dry, sprinkle baking soda on the block’s surface and let it sit for 15 minutes.

Is Minwax tung oil safe?

Among natural finishes, tung oil surpasses shellac and linseed oil in hardness, durability, and water resistance. It’s also food-safe, once cured.

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.

Is boiled linseed oil food-Safe?

Do not use boiled linseed oil. It is considered toxic and not food-safe.

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.

Why are my butcher block countertops sticky?

Food and Drink. When preparing or cooking food spillages can cause sticky residues to develop. The best method for removing stickiness is preventative – as soon as any spills occur, wipe down all surfaces using a clean damp cloth and warm soapy water.

Do you need to seal butcher block countertops?

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.