What Cleans a Butcher Block Tabletop?

Butcher block tabletops are a popular style and often used in the cutting and preparation of food. However, especially when used as a cutting board or in the handling of raw food, a butcher block tabletop requires special attention to remain clean and look its best. From sanding to oiling, it may sound like there's a lot to do to maintain your butcher block, but these steps mean that your tabletop can retain its beauty and usefulness through the years. Does this Spark an idea?

Cuts, Dings and Scratches

Many people don't use their butcher block table for cutting because they don't want to mar it with knife marks. Cuts in the wood also provide a place for bacteria to gather and it can make the surface harder to clean. However, butcher blocks are wood, and wood can be sanded. To get rid of knife marks in your tabletop, clean the surface well using a mild soap -- such as dish detergent -- and water, dry it well and then use fine grit sandpaper. Shallow scratches and dings are easier to sand out than deeper ones.

Raw Food

Raw foods may contain contaminants such as salmonella, and so the surfaces on which they are prepared must be cleaned or sanitized afterward. To clean butcher block, use a damp cloth and a mild soap, then wipe the tabletop down with just a damp cloth to remove the soap. Always soak up water quickly and dry the butcher block after wiping it down. Water can make the wood swell and pull apart. To sanitize your tabletop, mix a diluted bleach solution and spray it onto the surface, leaving it to dry. High concentrations of bleach can dry out the wood, so stick with about 1 tsp. of bleach per quart of water.

Spills and Stains

Clean up spills immediately because they are harder to clean once they dry. Before working with dough on the tabletop, put down a dusting of flour to keep it from sticking. If it sticks anyway, you can use an ice scraper to get it up. Remove wax or gum similarly, although it helps to first make the substance brittle by putting an ice pack on it for a little while. Always scrape or scrub with the grain of the wood.

Mineral Oil

Applying an oil finish keeps the wood from soaking up food odors and can help keep it free of stains. Applying the oil is sometimes called "seasoning" and it's easy to do, although the first application takes four or five coats. Warm the oil a little and apply it to the tabletop with a soft cloth, rubbing with the wood grain. Allow it time to soak in and then wipe off any remaining oil and apply the next coat. Reapply a coat of oil monthly to keep the wood protected from water and stains.