Butcher Block Countertop Cleaning – Quick and Easy
Did you get new butcher block counters for your kitchen? Great choice! Butcher block countertops are a stylish and functional option for your home, but proper butcher block countertop care is essential for keeping them in tip-top shape.
Why Do Butcher Block Counters Need Care?
Butcher block counters are beautiful and functional, but you need to take care of them, just like you would with a wood cutting board. What does that mean, though?
Butcher block care is different from other solid surface countertops because you need to minimize moisture when cleaning.
Secondly, while some counters (like granite) can withstand cutting and chopping, using knives directly on wooden kitchen countertops can potentially leave knicks and scratches. But, don’t let that scare you – just do your food prep on a cutting board!
Cleaning and Conditioning Wood Countertops
First things first, you need to know how to properly clean butcher block countertops.
But, don’t reach for an overly damp cloth lathered in dish soap. Cleaning methods need to minimize moisture and be food safe (when you have countertops that are unsealed) without any harmful chemicals that can affect your countertops.
Remove Debris from Countertops
Start the cleaning process by checking the entire surface and removing any food debris lingering on your butcher block surface. Avoid any type of scraper or steel wool so you don’t scratch the countertop.
Wipe down your countertop with a slightly damp dish towel (use warm water) to get rid of any residue that might be leftover. (Emphasis is on the word “damp” – make sure to keep water at a minimum.)
Make a Lemon and Salt Slurry
One of the best ways to clean your unsealed butcher block wood countertops is by making a slurry with lemon juice and sea salt. Use the mixture to buff out messes without using any type of harmful chemical.
Use Some Food Grade Cleaner
To make things even easier on homeowners, special cutting board cleaners (we like Howard products) are available that use food-grade ingredients in a ready-to-use board oil. This allows you to bypass the lemon/salt slurry. After wiping down with water, apply the cleaner with a sponge. Then, wipe clean and towel dry.
Conditioner for Wood Counters
The last (and arguably most important) step is to condition unsealed butcher block countertops on a regular basis. With a soft, clean cloth, apply conditioner (ex. mineral oil or tung oil) to the counters. In most cases, you’ll want to apply two coats, going back and forth along the wood grain. Be sure to condition all sides of the butcher block and let sit for one hour.
The great thing about using conditioner is that the wood will only soak up as much as it needs. If oil remains on the surface after you’ve let the counters dry, simply wipe away the excess with a clean cloth.
How Often Do You Need to Clean the Counter?
Ideally, you should be cleaning your butcher block top after every use. This doesn’t mean you need to go through every deep cleaning step every day – just make sure to stay on top of cleaning it.
*If you chose to seal butcher block countertops in your kitchen (which is often done on islands where no food prep is needed), light cleaning is just as simple as it would be with granite, quartz or laminate countertop.
If you wait too long in between cleanings on unsealed butcher block, you risk bacteria building up in the wood and affecting the appearance of the counter.
Stain Removal for Wood Counters
There are different ways to handle stain removal, depending on severity. If the stains are surface level, scrubbing the affected area with salt and lemon juice is a common method for addressing the issue.
If the stains are deeper into the wood, you may have to sand your wood counter with a fine-grit sandpaper. Afterward, you can condition with food grade mineral oil, or, if the counter was finished with a clear coat, you can then refinish with your sealant of choice.
Mold/Mildew Buildup
Don’t let mold and mildew affect your countertop when all you need is some regular maintenance for unsealed wood butcher block. Simply make sure you’re conditioning at least once a month!
Sealing Your Wood Counters
If you decide to seal or finish your butcher block, it is important to know how to maximize the effectiveness of your seal. Sealing is important for water resistance (as water damage is the easiest way to ruin a wooden countertop), but you need to remember that film finishes are not considered to be food safe.
Many homeowners choose to use a polyurethane clear coat on countertops that won’t be used for food prep (ex. kitchen islands, dining tables or bathroom counters). This type of finish is designed to create a barrier between the countertop and the air, effectively halting moisture from moving in between the two.
When going this route, be sure to apply the finish to ALL SIX SIDES (and sink cut-outs) of the countertop. By adding at least one coat of sealer to all sides of the countertop, you help to ensure that the wood remains balanced so that you can prevent issues like warping. Even if the edges of the butcher block top will butt up against a wall upon installation, sealing all sides is imperative.
Other Tips for Longevity
Besides cleaning and refinishing your countertop, there are plenty of other methods to keep your countertop looking fresh and new for decades.
Attach the Countertop Correctly
If working with hardwood countertops is new to you, be sure to do your research before installation. Movement always occurs with wood products and needs to be accounted for. You can’t just screw the countertop firmly in place and call it a day.
Countertop attachment options that allow for expansion and contraction can include incorporating slotted screw holes or using an undersized screw with a washer.
Avoid Cutting Directly Onto the Counter
This tip depends largely on your personal preferences. If you don’t mind scratches on your countertop, and enjoy the “well-loved” appearance, then you can ignore this tip. However, if you are someone who wants their countertops to look brand new, then use a cutting board – pure and simple.
While one of the perks of a butcher block counter is that you are able to cut directly on it, it can be harmful for the appearance of the wood. Also, aside from just visuals, scratches can provide a home for bacteria to build up on your countertops.
Don’t Put Cooking Oils On the Wood
Cooking oils, such as olive oil or canola oil, are vastly different from the mineral oil or cutting board oil you use to seal the counter. Cooking oils remaining on your butcher block can go rancid over time, causing an unpleasant odor and appearance.
Keep Hot Pans Off the Countertop
It should go without saying that putting hot pans directly on your butcher block will cause burn marks and other blemishes. Always put something between the pan and the counter to avoid marks.
Are Butcher Block Counters Right for You?
Don’t get overwhelmed; butcher block countertop care is easy — as long as you make an effort to stay on top of things. If you are careful and attentive, there’s no reason why a butcher block counter wouldn’t work perfectly for your kitchen island, table top, bathroom and more.
