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There are many ways to maintain the beauty of your kitchen countertops as well as ensure that it lasts for as long as it is expected to. The key is to practice correct cleaning practices, including proper washing, sealing, and oiling of wooden surfaces.
How to Clean Wooden Benchtops
Keeping the timber benchtops in Melbourne homes clean and looking great can be done with the help of several household items such as warm water, soap, distilled white vinegar, lemon, and salt. A store-bought nonabrasive cleaner may also be used. You may also find tools such as a spatula, pastry scraper, and microfiber cloths to be handy.
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1. Daily Washing
Homeowners must clean their wood countertops daily with warm water and soap. Use soft cloth or sponge to apply the soapy water on the wooden surface. Rinse with non-soapy water, and then use paper towels to remove any excess moisture. Always wipe the wooden counters after cleaning to ensure that they are completely dry as excess water can do a lot of damage. Immediately clean after using, most especially if there are spills, stains, and scraps. You can use a spatula or a metal pastry scraper to gently scrape off any food residue that may have dried on the surface.
2. Disinfect Often
You can create a homemade mild disinfectant using a number of household products too. One option is to use a mild solution of water and bleach. Prepare two quarts of water and add a teaspoon of bleach. Use a brush to scrub the mixture on the surface lightly. Make sure you apply lightly and do not saturate the timber or you might cause more harm to it. You can prepare a mixture of water and distilled white vinegar or water and tea tree oil and spray it on the surface. Although you have to be careful when using vinegar as it contains acetic acid which can dissolve the glue holding the wooden pieces together. Be sure to dry the surface thoroughly after disinfecting. Use paper towels to blot out excess moisture. Then, use a clean, soft cloth to buff dry.
3. Weekly Deep Cleaning
For a deeper cleaning at the end of the week, use a mixture of warm water (1 quart) with baking soda (1/2 cup). Use a nylon scouring pad to apply the soda paste on the surface. Rinse well with clean water. Wipe with paper towels or a clean cloth to remove excess
moisture. Make sure to let it dry thoroughly.
How to Remove Stains
Quickly cleaning up spills will help to prevent stains from damaging your beautiful wooden countertops. But, should you ever find the need to remove stains, here are some suggestions:
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1. Use a lemon and salt rub.
Cut a lemon in half. Sprinkle salt directly on the stained area. Using the lemon half, rub in the salt. Use a mixture of water and vinegar to clean off the lemon and salt.
2. Use a hydrogen peroxide mixture.
Mix a tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide with one cup warm water. Use cotton balls and dab the stained area with the mixture. Gently use a nylon scouring pad over the surface to clean it. Remove any excess moisture using paper towels. You might also want to oil your timber countertops to give your wood more water and stain resistance at least once a month. Use only high quality, food-grade mineral oil but never use cooking oils, which can turn rancid. Sanding the surface of your timber countertops lightly will also keep it smooth and attractive. You can use a 120-180 grit sandpaper for this.
