Congratulations on your beautiful new butcher block countertop! Whether it’s maple or walnut, edge grain or end grain, your whole kitchen or just an island, we’re here to make sure you know the proper care & maintenance needed to maintain your new countertop. Follow along to learn how to keep your butcher block looking & functioning beautifully for many, many years!
How to Clean Butcher Block
It’s very important to make sure the butcher block surface is free from any food debris, dirt, oil, or grease, especially if you are using it as a cutting board. Follow the steps below to make sure you are keeping your butcher block clean & sanitary:
Use a good steel scraper or spatula several times a day, as necessary, to keep the cutting surface clean and sanitary. Scraping the surface will remove 75% of the liquids. Do not use a steel brush on the cutting surface.
Use a clean cloth with mild soap & water to wipe the top thoroughly until all the debris is removed. Be sure to wash out the cloth in clean warm water, wring it out, and go over the surface again to remove any remaining liquid or soap.
Thoroughly wipe all surfaces with a clean dry towel. Allow residual surface moisture to air dry before applying any oil to the surface.
Apply Food-grade Safe Oil Regularly
On top of cleaning your butcher block regularly, you should make sure to set reminders for yourself to oil the top as well. It is VERY important to note that you should be using a food-grade safe oil, especially if you are using your butcher block as a cutting surface. This ensures that you are not contaminating the food you are prepping with any harmful chemicals. Boos Block Mystery Oil is a good option, but you can use any food-grade safe oil. Follow the steps below to ensure that you are oiling your butcher block correctly:
Your butcher block should be oiled AT LEAST once a month. The more often you clean your butcher block, the more often you should oil it. A dry appearance is a sure sign it is time to oil your wood surface. While it’s important to regularly oil your butcher block, it’s also just as crucial to not over oil your wood surface.
Apply the oil to all surfaces of your butcher block in an even coat using a clean cloth or disposable towel. You can also use a Boos Block applicator if desired. Make sure the butcher block surface is free from any food debris, dirt, oil, or grease before applying Mystery Oil.
Allow the oil to fully penetrate through the wood fibers overnight, then wipe off any excess oil. Apply additional oil to any visible dry spots.
For additional protection, it is recommended to use Boos Block Board Cream to seal the wood surface in conjunction with the Mystery Oil. This cream contains a natural, unbleached beeswax and food-grade oil formula. The thicker formula provides a silky wax barrier to the wood surface to help protect against foods and liquids. Apply an even coat of the cream using a clean cloth, disposable towel or the Boos Block applicator. Allow the Board Cream to penetrate the wood surface overnight, then wipe off any excess cream.
Other Steps to Take to Maintain Butcher Block
On top of cleaning & oiling, there are a few other steps to keep in mind to keep your butcher block in tip top shape:
Maintain the same bevel on the edge of your butcher block as it had when purchased. This helps prevent splitting or chipping on the outside of the butcher block.
Be sure NEVER to cut continuously on the same surface area. Distribute your cutting over the entire work surface so that it will wear evenly.
Minor scratches can be repaired by sanding the affected area with a fine grit (#200) sandpaper. When sanding, always sand with the grain. If the area needing repair is located along the edges, lightly sand the edges into the surrounding area. Remove all dust.
In Summary
If you have any questions on how to maintain your butcher block countertops, be sure to ask your kitchen designer! Take a look at our portfolio to see more butcher block countertops.