Have you recently installed butcher countertops in your kitchen and are worried about their overall maintenance?
Well, then you might wonder about cleaning butcher block countertops. Don’t worry because you are not alone in this. Many homeowners who install these trendy countertops are often bothered by the cleaning of these surfaces.
The problem is quite common as butcher block countertops are the preferred countertop options people consider. People choose these countertops for their natural rustic appearance as well as due to their inexpensive nature. Furthermore, these surfaces are easy to maintain. Despite all of these benefits of butcher block countertops, their cleaning still remains a challenge.
Cleaning of these surfaces becomes more important because these surfaces have dual functions. These work as countertops as well as cutting surfaces. This can result in scratches on the surface where bacteria can house. For this very reason, the proper cleaning and sealing of counter block surfaces is important.
Let’s dive deeper into the details of butcher block countertop cleaning and find out how to do it right.
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How to Clean Butcher Block
No matter if you have quartz countertops or butcher countertops, these surfaces require regular cleaning. Butcher block cleaning is done on a daily and weekly basis. Here is all you need to know about the step-by-step procedure for cleaning of butcher block countertops.
1. Things You Need for Cleaning
The first step of the cleaning process is to gather tools/ equipment. Here are the things you will need during the cleaning of butcher block countertop:
- Dishwash liquid
- Hydrogen peroxide
- White vinegar
- Table salt
- Lemon juice
- Mineral oil
- Scrapper
- Sponge
- Spray bottle
- Cleaning clothes.
2. Everyday Cleaning
After everyday use of the kitchen countertop, you should clean the surface. For cleaning butcher block surfaces on a daily basis, you need to follow the steps below.
- Wipe down the surface of the countertop using a clean damp cloth.
- After this, use dishwash liquid and put a few drops on the surface.
- Now take a clean towel and wipe off the liquid soap from the surface.
Bonus Tip: Do not use the wet cloth for cleaning of the surface as it may result in staining of the surface.
3. Deep Cleaning
For deeper cleaning, it’s better to disinfect the surface. One of the best disinfection agents is hydrogen peroxide. Food-grade hydrogen peroxide works pretty well when it comes to cleaning the surface. Here are the steps you need to follow for deep cleaning.
- Mix one part of hydrogen peroxide with eleven parts of water.
- Wipe off the surface using a clean cloth.
- Now, pour the mixture on the surface of the countertop.
- Leave it for at least 10 minutes and rinse the surface using a wet sponge.
- To minimize the chances of any stain, double-clean the surface using a clean towel.
Bonus Tip: Test it on an unused corner of the butcher block countertop before cleaning the whole surface.
4. Deep Cleaning with Stain Removal
Another way to clean butcher block countertops is to remove the stain on the surface of butcher block countertops. Here is the step-by-step procedure of deep cleaning with stain removal from countertop surfaces.
Scrap Debris
This is the first step in cleaning the countertop surface. For this, you can use a plastic scraper to remove all the debris and food residues accumulated on the surface.
Scrub the Surface
Now scrub the surface of the butcher block countertop. For this, you need to use the dishwashing liquid and pour a few drops on the sponge. Now use a sponge to give a good scrub. Now wash the sponge again and use a rinsed sponge to clean the surface once again.
Clean with Vinegar
After cleaning the surface with a sponge, clean the surface using vinegar. Vinegar is an excellent natural cleaner and is often used for the cleaning of the kitchen in combination with baking soda.
You can use the vinegar for cleaning the butcher block countertop surface. But rather than directly pouring the vinegar on the surface, you can pour it on a towel and then wipe the surface with this towel. Let the vinegar stay on the surface for another 15 minutes for better results.
Add Salt and Lemon
After cleaning the surface with vinegar, mix half a cup of salt with 1 cup of lemon juice. After the cleaning mixture is prepared, apply it on the countertop surface. This will work as magic and will remove all sorts of stains from the surface. Let it stay for another few minutes.
Wipe Off
Now it’s finally time to wipe off the surface and remove all the residual cleaning agents from the surface. For this, you can use a clean towel but it shouldn’t contain any water.
Resealing Countertop Surface After Cleaning
As already discussed, butcher countertops are used as a cutting surface which can damage the surface. So, to let them last longer, regular sealing of the countertop surface is required. For this, food-grade mineral oil is best. Sealing helps to prevent the entry of moisture into the surface and prevent the growth of bacteria and mold.
For sealing purposes, pour the oil on a completely dry surface and rub the oil using cotton cloths. Let the oil penetrate the surface and then apply another thin layer. Make sure that oil doesn’t pool on the surface, Let it dry for another 30 minutes and then dry it.
