How to Care for Wood Kitchen Countertops
Install your wood work surfaces correctly and keep them in top condition with these expert tips
Planning to install wood countertops in your kitchen? Whether you’re going for oak, walnut or another wood, the natural surfaces will add a beautiful warmth to your kitchen. However, they do require some extra care to keep them in good condition. Take a look at this expert advice to find out how best to maintain them.
Expert advice from: Pia Rosling of Sola Kitchens and Helen Munro of Finch London
Expert advice from: Pia Rosling of Sola Kitchens and Helen Munro of Finch London
Allow for Movement
Be careful when you measure for your wood countertop, as there’s a chance its size could change slightly. “Since wood is a living product, it will react to the moisture level in a house and will naturally contract and expand when the temperature and humidity in the room change,” Rosling says. “This means the size of a solid wood countertop can shift 3 to 5 millimeters [one-tenth to one-fifth of an inch] in a standard depth of 60 centimeters [24 inches].
“This is an important consideration when deciding sizes for countertops,” she says. “You should avoid a completely flush finish with no overhang, because when the wood contracts, the top of the cabinet could become visible.”
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Be careful when you measure for your wood countertop, as there’s a chance its size could change slightly. “Since wood is a living product, it will react to the moisture level in a house and will naturally contract and expand when the temperature and humidity in the room change,” Rosling says. “This means the size of a solid wood countertop can shift 3 to 5 millimeters [one-tenth to one-fifth of an inch] in a standard depth of 60 centimeters [24 inches].
“This is an important consideration when deciding sizes for countertops,” she says. “You should avoid a completely flush finish with no overhang, because when the wood contracts, the top of the cabinet could become visible.”
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Add Protection
“The key to a long countertop life is the initial preparation and oiling,” Munro says. “We like to use a Danish oil, as this can continually be added to without changing the final finish. If this process is completed correctly, it will save you a lot of refinishing in the future.
“Your countertop should be sanded to create a lovely smooth finish and then oiled until you build up a good patina on its surface,” she says. “Lots of light coats work better than thick coats, as this allows the oil to dry and soak into the wood. The oil not only brings out the rich tones of the wood, but will help to build up a resistance to water and stains.”
Rosling says: “Wooden countertops can be oiled, varnished or soaped by the manufacturer, and each finish requires a different treatment after installation. We often recommend oiled countertops because they can be maintained easily.
“When buying an oiled countertop,” she says, “it should be pretreated at the factory with neutral vegetable oil.”
“The key to a long countertop life is the initial preparation and oiling,” Munro says. “We like to use a Danish oil, as this can continually be added to without changing the final finish. If this process is completed correctly, it will save you a lot of refinishing in the future.
“Your countertop should be sanded to create a lovely smooth finish and then oiled until you build up a good patina on its surface,” she says. “Lots of light coats work better than thick coats, as this allows the oil to dry and soak into the wood. The oil not only brings out the rich tones of the wood, but will help to build up a resistance to water and stains.”
Rosling says: “Wooden countertops can be oiled, varnished or soaped by the manufacturer, and each finish requires a different treatment after installation. We often recommend oiled countertops because they can be maintained easily.
“When buying an oiled countertop,” she says, “it should be pretreated at the factory with neutral vegetable oil.”
Keep It Oiled
“The countertop should be treated two or three times a year, or as needed,” Rosling says. “Be careful when disposing of the oily cloth, since some oils can cause the cloth to self-combust if not properly cleaned. Always follow the instructions provided.”
Munro recommends oiling your wood countertop even more frequently during the first year. “At first you could oil it after a couple of weeks, then a month, then three months, then every six months. If it’s looking good, maybe leave it a little longer, but as soon as you see it’s a bit dry or worn in places, then it’s time to get that oil out.
“It’s best to do it at night,” she adds. “Take everything off the countertop, apply the oil with a soft, lint-free cloth, and by the morning it’ll be dry and ready to use.”
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“The countertop should be treated two or three times a year, or as needed,” Rosling says. “Be careful when disposing of the oily cloth, since some oils can cause the cloth to self-combust if not properly cleaned. Always follow the instructions provided.”
Munro recommends oiling your wood countertop even more frequently during the first year. “At first you could oil it after a couple of weeks, then a month, then three months, then every six months. If it’s looking good, maybe leave it a little longer, but as soon as you see it’s a bit dry or worn in places, then it’s time to get that oil out.
“It’s best to do it at night,” she adds. “Take everything off the countertop, apply the oil with a soft, lint-free cloth, and by the morning it’ll be dry and ready to use.”
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Stick to Simple Cleaning
Cleaning your wood countertop is easy, according to our experts. “Just soapy water and wipe it dry,” Munro says. “Try to prevent water sitting on its surface wherever possible.”
Rosling advises that you be gentle. “Don’t use abrasive cleaning agents, scouring pads or concentrated soaps and detergents, because this can damage the wood.”
Cleaning your wood countertop is easy, according to our experts. “Just soapy water and wipe it dry,” Munro says. “Try to prevent water sitting on its surface wherever possible.”
Rosling advises that you be gentle. “Don’t use abrasive cleaning agents, scouring pads or concentrated soaps and detergents, because this can damage the wood.”
Remove Stains and Scratches
If you scratch or stain your wooden countertop, don’t fret. “Small scratches and marks can usually be removed successfully with light sanding and polishing,” Rosling says. “All good suppliers of wood countertops will provide a maintenance kit with sandpaper, polishing pads and maintenance oil.”
Munro agrees. “The great thing about wood is that even if it’s heavily worn, it can normally be sanded back to its original state and refinished.”
If you scratch or stain your wooden countertop, don’t fret. “Small scratches and marks can usually be removed successfully with light sanding and polishing,” Rosling says. “All good suppliers of wood countertops will provide a maintenance kit with sandpaper, polishing pads and maintenance oil.”
Munro agrees. “The great thing about wood is that even if it’s heavily worn, it can normally be sanded back to its original state and refinished.”
Protect the Sink Area
“The sink is the area that needs the most care,” Munro says. “However, if you’ve oiled it a lot at the beginning, and at regular intervals afterward, it shouldn’t be a problem. We would recommend the underside of the sink is well sealed around the basin to prevent water getting in below.”
Rosling reiterates these points and adds: “If you’re not having a different material around the sink area, you have to be very careful about wiping away water as soon as the sink’s been used. Also re-oil the area around the sink more frequently than in other areas of the kitchen.”
“The sink is the area that needs the most care,” Munro says. “However, if you’ve oiled it a lot at the beginning, and at regular intervals afterward, it shouldn’t be a problem. We would recommend the underside of the sink is well sealed around the basin to prevent water getting in below.”
Rosling reiterates these points and adds: “If you’re not having a different material around the sink area, you have to be very careful about wiping away water as soon as the sink’s been used. Also re-oil the area around the sink more frequently than in other areas of the kitchen.”
Your turn: Do you have any tips for installing and maintaining wood countertops? Share them in the Comments.
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Before you install a wood countertop, it’s important to accept that it will need looking after. “Wooden countertops are beautiful, but they do take a little bit of extra care, so be honest with yourself,” Munro says.
Rosling agrees. “Solid wood is a natural product, and it will require some maintenance and care for it to last well and continue to look beautiful.”
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