How to Care for Your Wooden Countertops 🥇 Palmer, AK, Maid Services

A Complete Guide to Wood Countertop Maintenance

by Pristine Beers | White Lilac Cleaning - August 30, 2021

Wood countertops give a kitchen an organic and homey feel that other materials simply can’t match. Unfortunately, they also need to be cleaned and sealed more frequently than other types of countertops.  Where in Palmer, AK, can I find dependable house cleaners

Having your home in Palmer, AK, regularly cleaned by experienced cleaners who provide professional maid services is by far the easiest and most effective way to ensure your wood countertops receive the cleaning attention they need. Still, as a homeowner, it’s well worth your while to learn how to do it on your own.

To help you do just that, we have prepared a short wood countertop cleaning and maintenance guide that will enable you to ensure food safety in your kitchen and keep your countertops looking shiny and brand new for many years to come. Read on.

How to care for wood countertops?

Wood countertops are a great choice for every kitchen because of their natural look, but caring for them requires knowledge about do’s and don’ts, as well as the proper cleaning products and techniques. 

Here’s how to do it:

  1. Oil treatment

Before starting your cooking journey on your new wood countertops, it’s important to prepare them correctly. Just like with hardwood floors, wood countertops should be smoothed with oil and left to sit like that for a few hours to create a natural protective layer. 

This ensures that the wood lasts longer and gets the right type of moisture. Any type of mineral oil is the best choice, as it’s natural and helps with preventing odors from soaking into the wood. You should do this at least twice a year.

2. Wipe away any spillage immediately

Since spilling is inevitable when it comes to cooking, it’s important that you act fast when it occurs. Any food type that is known to stain the surface should be handled with care around wood countertops, as the spots it can leave may not disappear that easily.How to polish wood furniture

This includes every type of liquid as well since it can damage the wood. Moisture is not good, so either place a protective sheet of plastic when preparing food or have a cleaning cloth handy. Pay special attention when using vinegar, as it can damage the wood.

3. Clean with lemon and salt

After some time of using your countertops for food preparation, it’s completely normal for the wood to start smelling funky. Since it’s a natural material, it absorbs odors and this can even lead to discoloration. 

Lemon works wonders in cleaning because the acid it contains is strong enough to remove stains and odors without causing damage to the wood. It also leaves the surfaces smelling fresh. 

If there are any stubborn stains that could be removed with something more aggressive, add a bit of salt to the lemon. It will create an abrasive agent which goes right into the grain of the wood and cleans out all the grime.

Don’t experiment with various cleaning products for your wood countertops because the wrong type can do more harm than good. This is a common mistake people make when cleaning their hardwood floors.

4. Polish with beeswax

How to clean wood furniture

Another great thing about wood countertops is that they can be shiny and functional at the same time. However, don’t use knives on them even if it seems tempting and easier, as this will leave ugly marks and scratches on the surface. Keep a cutting board nearby when you’re cooking. 

Beeswax is a perfect polish compound for any type of wood, even for furniture, so don’t hesitate to use it. Once every few months, apply a tiny amount of beeswax onto a microfiber cloth and use it to buff the wood. It will restore its shine and help protect it against moisture.

Who in Palmer, AK, provides the best maid services?

If you’re too tired or too strapped for time to give your wood countertops the cleaning they require, or if you need help with other difficult and time-consuming housekeeping tasks, don’t hesitate to give White Lilac a call.

We will introduce you to Palmer’s top cleaning professionals who have the skills and experience needed to meet your every cleaning need. They will happily make your home shine while you relax or enjoy an outdoorsy afternoon at the Hatcher Pass with your family. Contact us today!