Choosing the right worktop for your kitchen can be a tricky decision. If you’re looking for something hard-wearing and durable but looks beautiful too, a solid wood worktop could be the right choice for you.
There is a huge variety in different wood types, finishes and styles to choose from, each of which will work well in a modern, contemporary or classic themed kitchen.
However, just like any other type of worktop, it is important to take proper care of your wooden worktops. Wood is a natural material so you will need to know more about wooden worktops maintenance and care so you can keep your worktops looking beautiful. With this in mind, we have created a guide on how to care for solid wood worktops, with some top tips for keeping it looking fresh, clean and mark free.
Oiling your wooden worktops
If you want to make sure that your brand new solid wood worktop continues to look it’s best, you will need to oil it just after it’s been installed and on an ongoing basis.
Oil adds an element of depth and character to the wood of your worktop that you may not find in varnishes and lacquers, helping to improve the appearance of the wood. It also acts as a protective layer, keeping your worktops safe against all the things that everyday life can throw at them. It can help with the water resistance of your work surface and help to keep your worktop in good condition.
When should you oil your wooden worktop?
You should plan to oil your wooden worktop as soon as it is installed. This means that you will be instantly protecting it against its two main enemies: heat and moisture.
We recommend you provide your brand new worktop with two liberal coatings of oil, both on the underside and the edges of the worktop. As neither of these areas will be seen, it does not matter how neatly the oil is applied.
In comparison, the top and front sides will need to be approached with a little more care. These will need around three to five coats, each one light and carefully applied. You may also need to complete some light sanding between each coat just to make sure that you have the very best-looking worktop at the end.
It is best to apply oil by pouring it onto the worktop and then spreading with a lint free, cotton cloth in the direction of the grain. If you are not sure what type of cloth is best, then why not use an old t-shirt?
It will take around eight hours for a coat of oil to dry. After this time you can re-apply another thin layer of oil. After a few times of repeating this process, you will have a well-protected and shiny worktop that will look great.
Do you want to keep your worktops looking new?
It isn’t just the initial application of oil that is important; you will need to continue to apply oil to the worktop at regular intervals. If you don’t then you will be left with dull, dry-looking worktops that may not be as protected as they once were.
We recommend that you apply one coat of oil to your solid wood worktops every three to six months, depending on how often you use them and how worn they look. In doing this, you will keep your worktop looking as it did on that first day, for years to come.
A great test to see whether your worktop needs oiling again is to drop water on it. If the water forms into droplets, the oil is still protecting your worktop effectively and is maintaining its water resistance. If the water lays flat on the surface, this is a sign that your worktop needs oiling again.
Remove stains from your wooden worktops
After you have taken time to decide which solid wood worktop is right for you, the last thing you will want is to battle with stains and marks on the surface.
Whilst you may have taken steps to prevent them from occurring, it is inevitable that, from time to time, the odd mark is going to appear. This is particularly true if you haven’t kept on top of your regular oiling schedule; one of the leading reasons that people report stains and marks on their wooden worktop.
So, what can you do if you find an unsightly stain on your beautiful wooden worktop? Here are some of the top things you can do to have your worktop looking bright and new again.
Use lemon juice
Citrus fruit is known for its acidity, which is why lemon is so often used in cleaning. If you find a stain on your wooden worktop, then try drenching fine wire wool in lemon oil. Not only should the abrasive nature of the wool remove the stain, but the lemon oil will help work it out as well as leaving it smelling fresh afterwards.
Iron it out
Sounds strange? Well, an iron might just be your favoured weapon in the battle against the stain. If the water mark is a new one, then this should work perfectly. All you need to do is set your iron to a medium heat and place a clean white cloth over the mark.
Without the steam function on, you need to hold the iron on the cloth for a few seconds, then lift up the cloth to release the heat. You will need to repeat this a few times until the stain disappears.
Not working for you? Perhaps the stain is older or more stubborn? Whatever the reason, it may be time to bring out the big guns!
Sand your worktop
If you are struggling with harder to remove marks, or perhaps a larger number of stains, then you may want to think about sanding down the wood to remove them. A small patch can be tackled with sanding by hand, but a larger surface area may require an electric sander instead.
If you have decided that sanding is the way forward, you will need to remember to cover everything in the surrounding area, as sawdust is a messy material and before you know it you could have a kitchen that is completely covered.
Also, don’t forget, if you decide to sand down your stains then you will need to re-oil the area. This will not only help it to blend in with the rest of your worktop, but hopefully also offer some protection against any more stains.
Remove scratches from your wooden worktop
Even if you take good care of your wooden worktop, it’s likely that it may still suffer from wear and tear. The good news is, it’s relatively easy to restore your wooden worktop and keep it looking brand new, even if your worktop has scratches and dents.
Getting scratches out of wood worktops
Soap and warm water may be the answer. If your work surface is simply looking a little tired then a good clean with warm, soapy water might be all it needs, but if it has a number of scratches and marks then you might want to consider sanding down the top and re-oiling the worktop.
Larger dents, cracks and holes may require the wood to be repaired by glueing the wood together. Whilst you could attempt this yourself, if you are concerned about damaging the wood further, then you may want to speak to an expert in repairing solid wood worktops.
By taking care of your wooden worktops you can be sure of many years of great-looking and durable worktops, giving your kitchen a real sense of style and character too.
Protect the sink area
When you have a wooden worktop in your kitchen, the most crucial area to protect is the area around the sink which is prone to getting wet and staining. If you have oiled your worktop to begin with and continue to do so on a regular basis, this shouldn’t be too much of a problem.
To avoid staining around the sink area, make sure you wipe the area down thoroughly and remove any standing water once you have used the sink.
Cleaning your worktops
To keep your worktops looking their best and to prevent staining, regularly wipe them down with a damp cloth and a small amount of soap. Try to avoid harsh cleaning products and avoid scouring pads to prevent damage to your worktop.
Shop solid wood worktops
At HCSupplies, you can choose from a wide range of solid wood worktops direct from our warehouse, all at internet prices. Why not start creating your dream kitchen today?
