How to Stain a Butcher Block

Staining your wood butcher block will help prevent moisture and food liquids from penetrating and spotting the wood. Because few staining agents are safe when in contact with food, selecting the proper finish can be challenging. Implement the following tips to effectively stain your butcher block and maintain a food-safe surface for cooking preparations.

Instructions

1

Sand the surface of your chopping block with 50-grit sandpaper to remove old stains and prepare the surface for staining.

2

Wash the surface of your chopping block with a mild dish detergent. Use a damp cloth to scrub the wood clean. Dry the wood thoroughly with a clean cotton cloth.

3

Apply a generous amount of mineral oil to a clean cotton cloth.

4

Rub the mineral oil into the wood. Rub with the direction of the grain. Reapply mineral oil to the cloth as needed. Use enough force that the oil penetrates the surface of the wood.

5

Use a clean cotton cloth dabbed with beeswax polish to rub the surface of your wood butcher block. This will add to the effectiveness of the mineral oil and provide a more sustainable stained surface.

6

Reapply the mineral oil and beeswax polish to your butcher block once a month. Mineral oil and beeswax are one of the very few wood finishes that are food safe. They will not cure to a durable finish that won't wash away, which is why you will need to repeat the staining process on a regular basis.