How to maintain a wooden kitchen worktop

Wooden kitchen worktop maintenance

A wooden kitchen worktop does not break down with use. Surface damage occurs from the daily actions it is subjected to because it is still a worktop. It can get stained, scratched, it can change the appearance of a brand new countertop from the beginning, but it can still be used without any problems. We get scared that wood won't stand up to the aggression and go for chipboard or harder materials like marble or stone, forgetting that in the past it was all wood in the kitchen. No one was scared of spoiling the meal by placing the soup pot directly on the wood, and it was common practice to spill the porridge directly on the weather-frozen wood of the table. So if you like wood, confidently use a wooden countertop in your kitchen. Indeed, compared to other materials, wood needs a little more care. But at the same time, if faults do occur they can be remedied much more easily and inexpensively compared to other materials.

A kitchen worktop can be made of timber or solid wood panels

To the unknowing, the wood of a countertop may look like just a slab available in various colors, but that's the beauty of it, finding the perfect piece so that the end result is aesthetically pleasing. Luckily, we now have more and more choices of kitchen worktops made from different wood species. I'm not saying we should change our kitchen worktops at the same rate as new products come out, but there is a choice of oak, beech, walnut, walnut, pine, ash or cherry.

Just like large cupboard doors or bed tops, table tops can be made from several pieces of timber. Generally, the pieces of timber are glued together. But each plank can also be nailed separately (nailed together as in the past) or they can be joined together in a removable way.

Another option, much simpler and safer in terms of behavior over time, is to use ready-made wooden panels. These are industrial products made from timber which have several advantages:

• the panel can be cut and trimmed to the design, resulting in a complete worktop with space for sink, hob or prize
• does not warp or crack during use
• can be finished or treated like any wooden countertop
• there are countertops in various hard woods: beech, oak, ash, ash, cherry, cherry, palm

Maintaining your wooden kitchen worktop depending on the material it's finished with

A wooden kitchen worktop can be finished with varnish, wax or oil.

Lacquer finish is made with varnishes resistant to humidity and to the mechanical and thermal aggressions possible in a kitchen. Chemically cured varnishes, known for their high resistance, are generally used. Even these varnishes have their limits. Don't imagine that you will be able to cut directly with a knife on such a countertop without leaving any marks. You will still have to use a chopper to cut meat or vegetables, and be careful not to let the water puddle around the sink so that it doesn't reach the wood through less protected areas.

Strictly from the point of view of wood protection, varnishes are preferable, but not when it comes to repairing defects that have occurred during use. If it has been scratched or water has gotten underneath, the varnish layer must be removed and the finish refinished. And that's a difficult process to do on worktops that have already been fitted.

Wax finishing. The second finish is wax. It offers good protection against moisture, but very poor protection against mechanical action and high temperatures. Application is simple and natural products can be used (beeswax, carnauba wax). In my opinion, wax is not a good choice for a kitchen worktop because of its low resistance to high temperatures. Every time a hot - not necessarily hot - object will be placed on the countertop, the wax will soften and get on the object. This removes the protective layer and reduces protection. In order to keep the protection as good as possible, the countertop finish needs to be refinished very often.

Oil finishing is, in my opinion, the best option for wooden worktops, especially hardwood worktops. Oil goes deep into the wood and protects it from moisture without forming a film. Hot objects placed on the countertop do not bother you precisely because there is no film. Natural oils can be used, giving you the benefit of an ecologically finished wooden worktop.

Fixing defects in a wooden worktop is very simple

But the biggest advantage is how to fix defects when they occur. I know, you will say: if the advantage is that I easily fix the defects, how can that be the best option? Why do the defects still occur? Isn't the variant that ensures that defects don't occur better? It would be, if they existed. Every variant, no matter how vaunted, has instructions for use to avoid defects. Only 2 examples:

• Laminated particleboard - you are not allowed to cut directly on it, just like you are not allowed to cut on a wooden countertop. But if you have scratched it, such a countertop will be much harder to repair. If you only need to remove a surface layer of 1 mm to get to clean wood on a wooden countertop, this is impossible on a melamine chipboard countertop.
• stone, marble - are much tougher, but the same advice not to cut directly on them applies. They also stain very quickly with colored liquids. And sanding granite or marble is much harder than sanding wood to remove the stain.

Repair scratches or marks on a wood countertop by lightly sanding the countertop with 120-180 grit sandpaper using even pressure. Once the scratch is gone, wipe off the resulting dust and apply a refinishing and protective coating oil.

How to maintain a wooden kitchen worktop

Think of a wood chipper. No good if it's scratched? Does it bother you that repeated use and washing has changed its color? I'm sure not. It's just that we want a neat, clean, stain-free kitchen worktop. What can we do? Here are some ideas:

• Do not cut directly on the kitchen worktop. Use a separate wooden chopper to chop vegetables or meat.
• Any colored or non-colored liquids should be wiped off immediately, otherwise stains may occur.
• Avoid placing very hot objects directly on a wooden worktop. Put them on a chopping board.
• Do not allow water to stand, especially near areas where work has been done (near sink, stove, outlets). Water can get into less protected areas, get into the wood, and mold can develop.
• Do not use wire sponges to clean the wooden surface or very aggressive or scratching detergents. This damages the finish (whether varnish, oil or wax) and leaves the wood exposed.
• If you have oiled or waxed wood countertops, refresh the finish from time to time. It's simple to do with a cloth, just like wiping the surface.

Oiled wooden kitchen worktop maintenance - video

We were saying that, unlike other types of worktops, a wooden kitchen worktop is very easy to maintain. Especially if it is oiled. Look how easy it is!