How to Refinish a Butcher Block Table
In the times before chemical cleaners and power sanders, butchers cared for their cutting blocks by sharpening a piece of metal on a sharpening stone and simply scraping the wooden surface. Today, butcher blocks are used for tables and countertops, and so aesthetics are more important. To keep your butcher block table looking its best while still maintaining a helpful work surface, give the area a good cleaning and a light application of oil. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Metal scraper
- Scrub brush
- Cloth
- Water
- Dish detergent
- Towel
- Sandpaper
- Tack cloth
- Mineral oil
Instructions
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Scrape the surface of the butcher block with a metal scraper or metal spatula. This will remove most surface contaminants, including some dried-on food. Pull the scraper back towards you instead of pushing away, to prevent nicking or splitting the ends of the wood.
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Brush down the butcher block with a scrub brush to remove remaining stuck-on food or other surface particles. Wipe all loosened particles away with the brush or scraper.
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Dampen a dish cloth in warm water mixed with mild dish detergent. Wipe down the block’s surface with the cloth to remove food stains, dirt, dust or remaining loose particles.
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Wipe the surface with a cloth dampened in clean, warm water to remove residual soap. Dry the surface thoroughly with a towel to prevent the water from seeping into the wood surface.
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Lightly sand the block’s surface, starting with 50-grit sandpaper and repeating with 100-grit. Sanding will help to remove any small nicks or dents in the surface.
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Wipe the surface with a tack cloth to remove residual sanding dust.
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Dampen a clean cloth with mineral oil and rub the oil into the wood’s surface, moving with the grain of the wood. The oil will help the wood to maintain its color.
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Tips & Warnings
Do not try to apply a finish or protective coating on your butcher block table. Because these surfaces are often used for cutting and other intensive cooking work, you can easily damage the finish and ruin the look of your block.
