Caring For Your Wood Countertops – The Right Way

Wood countertops are natural, beautiful, classic, and sturdy, but they do take some different methods of upkeep when compared to other types of countertop options. Wood is a porous natural material, and it leaves some homeowners a bit wary of opting for a wood countertop installation for fear that upkeep is expensive or difficult. Keeping up with wood countertops is actually quite easy, and we at Cardigan Kitchens and Baths want to make the upkeep less of a mystery for those considering this material for their new kitchen remodel.

First and foremost is cleaning your countertop, and while many think that wood countertops harbor bacteria due to their porous nature, they’re actually quite naturally antibacterial. When cleaning, make sure to shy away from cleaners that use harsh chemicals and bleach, as these can damage the wood and its finish over time. Wood countertops can last a lifetime or more with the right care, and the right care should always be simple and gentle. Washing your wood countertops only requires a solution of warm water and mild soap mixed into a spray bottle and wiped down thoroughly. For disinfecting, opt for a warm water and vinegar mixture, and finish by wiping dry.

Depending on the finish of your wood countertops, you may wish to oil your wood countertop surfaces around once every two or three years. This is done typically with a mineral or tung oil, which may or may not be mixed with a bees or paraffin wax substance for better stain resistance. Whether the wood has been freshly refinished with oil or not, food and other substances should never be allowed to sit on wood countertops as they will seep into the pores of the wood and create staining.

Should any stains, scratches, dents, or other imperfections befall your wooden countertops, they can be sanded away and refinished for a fresh, new, and perfect look once again. If wood countertops sound like the right option for your new kitchen remodel, see what we can do for you at Cardigan Kitchens and Baths today.