How to care for wood worktops | Jainnie Smith

There is an impressive selection of solid wood worktops on offer now and by investing in these products, you can give your kitchen that all-important wow factor. However, there’s no point in spending your hard-earned money on brand new solid timber worktops if you don’t then take proper care of them.

Here is a quick guide to help ensure your new work surfaces stay in tiptop condition for many years to come.

Cleaning

With certain worktops, it doesn’t particularly matter which cleaning chemicals you use. However, wood must be treated with care. Harsh chemicals can quickly take their toll on this natural material.

When you’re cleaning your timber work surfaces, make sure you use a lint-free cloth that you’ve dampened in a little warm water. You can apply a small amount of soap, but steer clear of multi-purpose cleaning products. Also, resist the temptation to use scouring pads.

Re-oiling

To keep the lustre on your worktops, and to help ensure they are protected from moisture, it’s important to re-oil them from time to time. Bear in mind that in the first few weeks after you’ve installed the surfaces and until they have built up sufficient oil protection, you’ll need to take extra care to prevent them from becoming stained. New worktops need treating frequently to ensure they build up a layer of protection. However, as they get older and become more established, you’ll have to do this less often. Eventually, you should only need to re-oil around once every three months.

Your timber is in good condition if it has a sheen and if water forms into droplets on it. If you notice that the wood looks dull or that water is not forming beads, it’s time to apply some more oil.

General care

You should also bear some basic care principles in mind. For example, it’s never a good idea to chop ingredients directly on wooden worktops. No matter how careful you are, there is always a risk that your knife will slide through the food and down into the timber, causing scratches. For this reason, you should always use a chopping board or butcher’s block.
On a similar theme, avoid putting hot or dirty pans directly onto your worktops. A practical solution that means you won’t have to do this is to invest in stainless steel hotrods. These items can be fitted into specially crafted groves in your work surfaces. As well as providing you with a place to put hot pans, these rods can add to the aesthetic appeal of your worktops.

Meanwhile, if you spill liquids onto your surfaces, try to mop them up as quickly as possible. If moisture is allowed to remain on the wood for prolonged periods of time, it can cause damage.

By bearing tips like these in mind when you’re using your worktops, you can help ensure that the items stand the test of time. As well as preserving the looks of your kitchen, this could save you cold, hard cash in the long term.

Author bio
The author is a home and lifestyle blogger who writes about cooking, home style and budget beauty for women in the UK. She visits <a href="http://www.deterra-kitchens.co.uk/">DeTerra Kitchens</a> for photos and style inspiration in the kitchen.