How to Maintain a Solid Oak Countertop
Oak countertops are often constructed similarly to butcher blocks and they should be treated in a similar way in order to keep them looking good and to prevent cracking or seam splitting. Properly maintained, an oak countertop can last the lifetime of a kitchen and still look good. This is a particularly nice countertop for country style kitchens and when used in unison with soapstone. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Soap and water
- Undiluted 5% white vinegar
- Spray bottle
- Food grade mineral oil
- Food grade beeswax finish
- Rag
Instructions
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Clean your counter tops well using soap and water. It is important to dry wood counter tops immediately since the oak will absorb the water and swell. Over time this will cause warpage in the wood.
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Spray the countertop with a mixture of one part undiluted 5% white vinegar and one part water. Spritz the countertop with the mixture to aid in killing bacteria and other microbes. Vinegar can be applied undiluted if your kitchen is prone to moisture problems. You should use this spritz mixture every time you clean the kitchen.
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Oil the entire countertop, including the edges, with a food grade mineral oil. Apply a coat and rub it into the surface with a rag. Apply a second coat if the countertop will absorb the oil. You want the countertop to absorb all of the oil it can take as this will create a type of seal in the wood and it will keep the oak moist and prevent splitting or cracks. Allow the countertop to dry completely.
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Apply a coating of a food grade beeswax finish with a rag. Rub the beeswax polish (the same type recommended for salad bowls and wood utensils) into the countertop to provide additional sealing of the wood and it will enhance the appearance of the finish.
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Re-apply mineral oil when the countertop begins to change color. Re-finish with another coat of wax when the finish becomes dull.
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Tips & Warnings
Don't cut directly on your counter top surface even though it may look like a butcher block. Use separate cutting boards that you can sterilize more easily and protect your counter from knife cuts. Resanding an entire counter top is not an easy job.
