Are you one of the lucky people that has a kitchen that features gorgeous butcher block countertops? If so, there is no doubt that you are the envy of many, as wooden countertops not only introduce a sense of warmth to a kitchen, but are also highly functional as well.

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But the challenge with wooden countertops is you want to make sure they are cleaned properly, especially if they are used for food preparation. If you are interested in commissioning a piece of furniture through me, I will offer the same advice for cleaning your wooden furniture as I would your wooden countertops:

• Never expose your wood to a harsh scouring cleanser. Instead, to give your wooden surface a thorough cleaning, opt for a mild detergent (like liquid dish detergent) and warm water.
• If your wood has likely been exposed to bacteria via food prep (cutting raw chicken, for example), be sure to disinfect the surface with a water/bleach mixture (1 tablespoon of bleach per 1 gallon of water).
• If you notice that the wood surface has been stained, squeeze a little lemon juice over the stain and allow it to soak into the surface for just a few seconds before wiping it up.
• After every cleaning, be sure to completely dry the wood surface using a clean lint-free cloth. You never want to allow moisture to soak into the wood.

For more ways to properly clean your wooden countertops, please feel free to contact me, Richard Oedel, Fine Furniture Master. Not only can I offer helpful advice for caring for your wood furniture, but I am also a fine furniture maker and can help you through the process of commissioning a piece of furniture.