How to Care for Wood Kitchen Countertops?

Answer 1

Wood kitchen countertops can be very beautiful, and they can add an element of character and style to any kitchen. However, wooden countertops are much more susceptible to cuts, stains, and damage from heat than other kitchen counter materials. It is important to take very good care of wooden countertops by being careful in the kitchen and by using safe cleaning materials on the wood surfaces. Follow these steps to keep your wooden kitchen countertops looking and feeling like new.

First, treat your countertops with care. Never set a hot pan or cooking sheet on a wood countertop without first placing a towel or hot pad underneath. Always use a cutting board when slicing vegetables, breads, or any other food. Finally, if you spill a substance on your countertop, especially a colored liquid like juice, clean up the spill right away. Preventing damage by being conscientious in the kitchen is the best way to keep wood countertops beautiful.

You should also be sure to use cleaning products that will not damage the wood. Never use a harsh chemical cleaner on wood countertops. Instead, wash counters with warm water and a mild dish soap. To disinfect your counters, it is safe to use a very diluted bleach water once per week.

In addition, it is a good idea to treat your wood countertops with an oil treatment once per month. A combination of mineral oil and melted beeswax is a great way to protect your counters from further harm. This mixture will keep counters shiny, and it will provide a thin layer of protection as well as prevent cracks from developing in the wood.

Finally, if you do notice small scratches in your wood counter, do not panic. Often times a wax treatment will minimize the appearance of these scratches. If it does not, you can try using a very fine sandpaper to smooth the area around the scratches. So long as you rub very, very lightly, you will not cause damage to your wood countertops.