Caring for butcher block countertops

The following are basic guidelines for caring for your Vermont Butcherblock Company countertop once it has been finished by following these instructions.

Cleaning:

• Wipe down your countertop with a soft sponge and mild soapy water.
• Do not use a scrubbing pad, and do not aggressively scrub the countertop.
• Be sure to dry the surface completely after cleaning.
• Do not use harsh kitchen cleaners such as Comet, Pledge or Lysol.
• Do not use bleach.
• Never use soap based oil cleaners like Murphy’s Oil Soap or other wood floor cleaners, as these will leave a film that will gum the surface of the finish.

Routine Maintenance:

• Keep the surface dry and clean.  While it is fine for your countertop to get wet, it is important to wipe up standing water soon after it develops.
• Be cautious about allowing acidic liquids (like wet baking soda) to contact the surface as it will dissolve the finish and leave staining.
• When your countertop develops a dry, thirsty look, it is time to apply a fresh coat of Tung Oil. 

These maintenance procedures can be accomplished using our Vermont Butcherblock Company Tung Oil Polish.

Repair:

The steps below are only used to repair the finish and protect your countertop from further damage - they will not remove the marks themselves.

For light blemishes, lightly sand the affected area using 0000 steel wool or a non-woven abrasive pad.  Always sand in the direction of the grain using light to medium pressure, making sure to sand a little bit of the area around the blemish to blend in your work.  

Do not sand aggressively, as this can cause a dip in the surface of the wood.

When finished sanding, use a vacuum or tack cloth to clean the fine dust from the area, then follow the instructions for applying your finish. 

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If your Vermont Butcherblock Countertop was finished using Sutherland Welles Ltd. Tung Oil, you can find additional information on their website at www.sutherlandwelles.com.