Caring for Butcher Block Counter Tops

A butcher block counter top can be a wonderful addition to any kitchen. Butcher block counter tops can be extremely durable, adding natural warmth and a sense of charm to your kitchen ambience. Butcher block counter tops are also practical choices, as butcher block counter tops can be used to prepare and serve food or only to serve, depending on the structure of counter top and the material used. End grain counter tops expose the end of the wood as the cutting surface, which makes them more resistant to knife work. As a result, they are likely to take more damage than edge grain counter tops.

Additionally, all types of butcher block counter tops are typically fairly easy to maintain. Therefore, caring for your butcher block counter tops should not be a painful endeavor if you can integrate it into your home cleaning routine.

At St. Charles Hardwoods, we supply a wide selection of custom butcher block countertops as part of our entire selection of lumber and woodworking products. To learn more about caring for butcher block counter tops or to place an order to custom counters, contact our hardwood lumber company or come into one of our St. Louis stores today.

Care & Maintenance Tips for Butcher Block Counter Tops

Caring for your butcher block counter should not be much of a chore, as butcher block counter tops are durable structures that require little daily maintenance to remain strong for years. However, there are a few important things to keep in mind when cleaning and maintaining your counters. For example:

• About once a month, unfinished butcher block counter tops should be treated with mineral oil. To do this, warm a little bit of mineral oil and wipe the oil all along the surface of the butcher block counter tops. Stop applying oil, when the counter top stops absorbing the oil. After a few minutes, you can then wipe any excess oil away with a cloth.
• If food or beverages spill onto the butcher block counter tops, you should make sure that you have a damp cloth readily available to wipe the spill up quickly. If spills are left on the butcher block, it is likely that the counter tops may become stained.
• When necessary, use a mixture of mild soap and water to clean the counter top. Once you have removed any stains or spills, use another cloth to dry the surface thus ensuring that the water does not absorb into the counter top.
• White vinegar can also be used as a disinfectant for butcher block counter tops. To use white vinegar on the surface of your counter top, wipe it around the surface and then use another cloth to clean the area.
• Lemon juice is a good method for deodorizing butcher block counter tops. To do this, rub lemon juice gently onto the counter and then use a clean cloth to wipe it away. Rough salt or baking soda also works in the same way.
• Do not expose the counter directly to hot pots or pans. You should take care to use a pad or a mat to protect the surface from burning or scalding.
• If your butcher block counter top develops cuts or scratches, you can use a fine sandpaper to remove scratches. This will help keep bacteria and dirt from collecting in deep cuts.

Learn More About Butcher Block Counter Tops

At St. Charles Hardwoods, we offer a range of custom made wood products including butcher block counter tops. Typically, we construct butcher block counter tops from hard maple but we can also use oak, cherry, and walnut among other hardwoods. We can create custom counter tops based on you specifications for material, dimensions, and wood grain pattern. Your satisfaction is our number one priority.

If you are interested in revitalizing your kitchen with custom butcher block counter tops, stop by one of St. Louis area stores today to talk with our experts and to learn more about the custom butcher block counters we can provide.