Butcher Block Countertop Care - Cleaning and Maintaining Butcher Block Countertops

While butcher block is considered a maintenance free countertop surface, there are still a few guidelines to follow related to its care. To keep your wood counters looking new, there are a few cleaning and maintenance issues that are important for you to take care of. 

 

Butcher block countertops are sealed to protect them from water damage. So everyday butcher block countertop care consists of simply cleaning with mild soap and water after each use and drying the area with a clean soft cloth.  This is a simple chore that will go a long way toward preserving the natural beauty of your countertop without damaging the grain or dulling the finish.  Never use an abrasive cleaner or scouring pad on your counter - only soap and water are needed to clean your wood surface.   

 

Keeping bacteria away is just as important as removing dirt. Although most butcher block countertops are made of tight grained woods with small pores (such as maple), some wood types are looser grained and have larger pores (oak, for example). This means that any butcher block countertop can potentially absorb bacteria and food odors (some more than others depending on the porosity of the wood). If raw meat has been placed directly on the counter, use a solution of 1 tablespoon of bleach to 1 gallon of water to sanitize the area and allow to penetrate for 10 minutes before rinsing and wiping clean. You can keep the solution in a spray bottle nearby for convenience.  For odors that seem trapped in the wood, fresh lemon juice is an excellent deodorizer. Allow it to sit on the butcher block for 15 minutes, then rinse and wipe dry. 

 

If your butcher block countertop is not varnished, periodically conditioning the surface is recommended. Conditioning consists of sealing the top with a thin coat of pure mineral oil (do not use vegetable oil or olive oil). This should be done about once a week or when you notice that the color of the wood looks dry or faded. Oiling the butcher block will replenish the natural hydration of the wood and bring back the natural sheen. It will also keep the wood surface as stain resistant as possible. Apply a thin layer of the oil onto the counter, let is soak in for about 5 minutes, then wipe it up in the direction of the grain with a clean cloth or paper towel.  If this isn't long enough to penetrate the counter, the oil can be left on for 4 to 6 hours.  The length of time needed is often counter specific depending on what type of wood the butcher block is made from. Avoid using the counter for 12 hours after oiling.   

 

Although you can cut directly on butcher block, it is best to still use a cutting board. This will help to avoid scratches and scrapes. If you do get a scratch on your butcher block counter top, it can be repaired. The area can be sanded, resurfaced, refinished, and sealed. If you do not have any experience with this type of work, it is best to leave the care of a scratch to a professional. If you would happen to get a stain or burn mark on the wood, this is the same process that would be used to remove it.

 

Video: Cleaning and maintaining butcher block with mineral oil (John Boos mystery oil)