Butcherblock Care
Cleaning:
- For routine care, wipe down your countertop with a moist sponge
- For deeper cleaning, use a solution of vinegar and warm water in a 1:10 ratio
- You can use Ammonia instead of Vinegar for a stronger solution
- Dry the surface completely after cleaning
- Avoid aggressive scrubbing
- Do not use harsh kitchen cleaners such as Comet, Pledge or Lysol
- Do not use any cleaners containing bleach
- Never use soap based oil cleaners (like Murphy’s Oil Soap)
- This will leave a thin film that will gum up the surface of the countertop
Maintenance:
When your top develops a dry, thirsty look, it is time to apply a fresh coat of Tung Oil. This may not be for a year or more after installation.
- Before applying, remove all items from your counter and clean it with the vinegar solution described above. Make sure it is completely dry before proceeding
- Apply Sutherland Welles Ltd.® Low Lustre Polymerized Tung Oil with a Scott blue paper towel
- Wait 10-15 minutes, then wipe off unabsorbed oil
- Let the finish cure for 24hrs
- After 24 hours, you may return to normal use
Additional considerations
- If your top has an undermount sink, be sure to saturate the visible end grain with Tung Oil on a regular basis (about every 3 months or so) to avoid allowing water to seep into the grain and causing warping/cupping issues
- Keep the surface dry and clean
- It is fine for your top to get wet, but wipe up standing water soon after it develops
- Be cautious about allowing acidic liquids like wet baking soda to contact the surface, as this will dissolve the finish and leave staining
- To remove gouges and dents, you will need to sand out the affected area and apply Tung Oil per the manufacturer’s instructions for new application