How to maintain Solid Wood Kitchen Worktops and Wooden Surfaces
Top tips for maintaining wooden worktops
There is a popular misconception that wooden worktops are hard to maintain, the truth is - they aren't. With a few basic kitchen rules a solid wood kitchen countertop will last for decades; there are no hidden secrets and basic due care and attention will keep your wooden countertops looking at their best for longer.
Get the base right |
Never allow standing water |
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It starts with a good base - if your worktops really are in bad shape, no matter how many times you re-oil them you will still find yourself pondering over stains and water mark damage. Start from a fresh and get your worktops restored so that the water damage and defects are gone - all you then have to do is maintain the finish.
avoid hot & cold contactNever place a hot pan, dish, bowl or any object that is very hot on a natural timber kitchen worktop. Likewise, extra cold objects such as a frozen meal will discolour the finish if left standing for long enough. Use a well-oiled butchers block or the likes.
Caustics & bleachesAvoid them like the plague. Both will eat away at, and completely strip any existing finish you had on your worktops. If you leave them long enough, they will 'bleach' the timber to a lighter finish - this then requires the remainder of the worktop to be treated to bring it back to a uniform finish. If you have an oven cleaning contractor in, make sure that your worktops are covered with an impermeable membrane.
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Natural wood worktops are tolerant to short periods of water deposits -what they cannot tolerate is periods of long standing water: It will eventually deteriorate and compromise any protection that has been applied. Wipe up any water as soon as you have finished with the area. If not, you also give rise to tannic acid staining the finish.
Washing up is fine, but problems will occur if you leave crocker to 'dry' over night, leave cast-iron pots and pans to dry, store cleaning products in tin carriers - the metals will draw tannic acid from the timber which will leave black marks where the object has been. use a chopping boardDo not use your kitchen worktops as your food preparation surface - use a designated 'butchers block' or the likes, so that all the knife marks, indentations and damage is done to this sacrificial piece of timber.
Preparing food on your worktop directly will give rise to bacteria growth if you are also cutting; the cutting action penetrates the timber and creates very small fissures which can allow germs to become trapped. Keep your work tops smooth. |
do you Require a maintenance visit?
If we have already treated your worktops we offer our existing customers a maintenance service whereby we re-visit your property to refresh the surfaces and take care of any minor defects that may have occurred over a 3,6,9 or 12 month period.
Solid wood worktops can be maintained with ease in a 'DIY' fashion, although we offer an extra level of care to include removal of any minor defects and the best application of protective coatings to suit the worktop and environment - keeping your worktops looking their best for longer.
Solid wood worktops can be maintained with ease in a 'DIY' fashion, although we offer an extra level of care to include removal of any minor defects and the best application of protective coatings to suit the worktop and environment - keeping your worktops looking their best for longer.