Achieving a fresh looking butcher block countertop doesn’t require any additional skill or tool you would think it would. There is no need to go ahead and spend extra money to have it done professionally either. Whether it is your butcher block countertops or cutting boards, follow one of these methods to achieve desired results.

Oiling Butcher Block Countertops with food safe Mineral Oils

Mineral oils are recommended for proper upkeep of your countertops and to remove minor stains. If your countertop has a glossy finish, sand it off before you proceed with this step.

Stay away from culinary oils as these will only go rancid and oxidize very soon.

What you will need:

  • A clean and dry cloth
  • Food safe mineral oil, or walnut oil

Instructions:

Step 1: Prep your countertop surface.

You want to start off with a clean canvas for the best results. Hence, clean your countertop with some dish soap and a scrub brush, and remove any stains. You can do this by sprinkling some salt and lemon juice on the surface to make a paste, and then scrub it with the pulp of the lemon. Let this sit overnight to ensure all the stains come off before wiping it clean with a cloth. If you have tougher stains, wipe it cotton swab dipped in hydrogen peroxide mixed with warm water, followed by a light dab of white vinegar.

Step 2: Apply the mineral oil.

After you cleaned and removed any stains, you want to let it dry before applying your first coat of the food safe mineral oil. Directly pour a dollop of the oil onto the countertop surface and then use a clean and dry cloth to spread it evenly across the area and into the corners. Let this sit for about 30 minutes before continuing on with the second coat.

Step 3: Wipe the excess oil from the countertop surface.

Same as before, you want to wait for another 30 minutes while the oil is soaked into the surface before taking another clean cloth to wipe off any excess remaining.

Applying Butcher block conditioners

To get the best results, it is better to choose a product that contains both mineral oil and beeswax. It will help fill in any cracks made from use, and keep the wood safe with continued usage of the conditioner. A good example would be the one made by Howard.

What you will need:

  • Butcher Block Conditioner
  • A clean and dry cloth
  • Sandpaper or sand machine

Instructions:

Step 1: Prep your countertop surface.

Just as mentioned above, you want to start off with a clean canvas for the best results. Hence, clean your countertop with some dish soap and a scrub brush, and remove any stains. You can do this by sprinkling some salt and lemon juice on the surface to make a paste, and then scrub it with the pulp of the lemon. Let this sit overnight to ensure all the stains come off before wiping it clean with a cloth. If you have tougher stains, wipe it cotton swab dipped in hydrogen peroxide mixed with warm water, followed by a light dab of white vinegar.

Step 2: Sand the surface if you deem necessary.

More than likely, the conditioner you use require you to sand the countertop surface before you apply a coat of the conditioner. This is especially necessary if the conditioner contains beeswax.

Step 3: Apply a coat of the butcher block conditioner.

A rather simple and obvious step, all you need to do is dip your clean cloth into your preferred butcher block conditioner and wipe it along the surface of the countertop, coating it evenly throughout. Nonetheless, follow the instructions given on the container of the conditioner you have chosen in case there are any additional steps required.

Step 4: Let the conditioner soak, and wipe it clean.

Whether the directions ask for any additional step or not, it will ask you to let the conditioner be soaked into the surface for a while. This may take anywhere from half an hour to an hour. After that, just take a clean cloth and wipe off any of the conditioner remaining.