How To Clean Butcher Block Countertops

Wipe Away Excess Debris

Brush off any crumbs and other countertop debris with a clean, dry cloth. For stuck-on grease or food, consider using a dough scraper or silicone spatula for gentle but effective removal.

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Wash Your Butcher Block Countertop

Grothouse recommends simply using dish soap and warm water to clean butcher block countertops. “I don’t recommend harsh cleaners,” he says. “Be careful with the choices of chemicals you clean or finish butcher block countertops with—remember, you’re exposing your food to that.”

Food Safety Specialist Nicole Richard says that cleaning compounds and sanitizing agents should be safe and appropriate for food processing operations. “Labels must indicate the sanitizer is ‘approved for use with food-contact surfaces,'” she says.

Grothouse personally uses Dawn dish soap. “It works so well on dirty dishes because it’s got such a high grease-cutting agent,” he says. However, he adds that if you use Dawn daily, you might need to oil the surface more regularly than with a gentler dish soap formula. “The grease-cutting agent will evaporate the oil out of the butcher block,” he says.

If your butcher block countertop has a film finish on the surface, Grothouse recommends referring to the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning. The products you use might differ depending on the chemical formation of the finish.

Sanitize Your Butcher Block Countertop

While wood has antibacterial properties, sanitizing or disinfecting the surface more effectively purges pathogens. This is a sensible step if you use your butcher block countertop to prep food, especially if you chop raw meat.

“Cleaning is the removal of visible soil and debris. Sanitizing is reducing the number of harmful microorganisms to a safe level,” explains Richard. “You must clean before sanitizing, or the sanitizer will not be as effective on a dirty surface.”

Richard recommends using a sodium hypochlorite (bleach) solution suitable for food–contact surfaces. “Since bleach comes in several concentrations, it’s recommended to follow manufacturing instructions to make a sanitizing solution of appropriate strength,” she says. “Don’t use scented bleach products since they can leave a residue on the food-contact surface.” She says to let the solution sit on the surface for 1 to 2 minutes before wiping it off to allow it to kill any germs effectively.

Grothouse doesn’t use bleach because of the smell it can leave on the surface. However, he points out that people don’t have to worry about bleach staining the surface. “Chloride bleach will not change the color of your butcher block,” he says.

Grothouse suggests rubbing the butcher block with half a lemon or using a vinegar solution if you want a more natural sanitizer. You can also rub some salt in with the lemon. However, be aware that vinegar and lemon, unlike bleach, are not CDC-approved disinfectants as they don’t kill as many germs.

Dry Your Butcher Block Countertop

After cleaning, sanitizing and rinsing your butcher block countertop, thoroughly dry the surface with a microfiber cloth. “Moisture is the enemy of wood,” Grothouse says. Letting water sit on the surface for prolonged periods can cause spotting and even expansion, warping and cracking of the wood.

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FAQ

How often should you clean butcher block countertops?

Grothouse recommends you clean butcher block countertops whenever you use them for food preparation. “You wouldn’t use a dish, then just keep reusing it throughout the day,” he says. While daily cleaning is important, always dry the countertop carefully afterward to prevent water damage.

How can you keep butcher block countertops clean for longer?

Cleaning can become problematic if you don’t properly care for your butcher block countertops. Some tips for keeping them clean for longer include:

• Oil the surface regularly: Grothouse recommends finishing the wood with oil (he uses food-safe mineral oil) once a month for the first few months. After that, once or twice a year is usually enough. If you neglect this, your butcher block will start to fail, and bacteria-gathering cracks can form.
• Deal with damage immediately: According to Grothouse, you shouldn’t use your countertops for food prep until any cracks or deep cuts are filled or sanded out.
• Wipe up staining liquids: “If you cut things that are stain-orientated, like beets, wipe up quickly afterward,” Grothouse says. He also recommends ensuring your butcher block has a good coat of penetrating protectant to prevent rapid absorption of the stain.
• Sand out stains: Fine-grain sandpaper can lift off stains. If the area is large, consider adding another protective layer of oil afterward.

About the Experts

• Paul Grothouse is the President of Grothouse. He founded the company in 1997, using his engineering knowledge (he has a degree in mechanical engineering) and industrial experience to make Grothouse the world leader in luxury wood surfaces; video interview, Aug. 20, 2024.
• Nicole Richard is a Research Associate and Food Safety Specialist at the Department of Fisheries, Animal and Veterinary Science at the University of Rhode Island; email interview, Aug. 17, 2024.

Sources

• Milling, Annett, Rolf Kehr, Alfred Wulf, and Kornelia Smalla. ‘Survival of Bacteria on Wood and Plastic Particles: Dependence on Wood Species and Environmental Conditions‘ 59, no. 1 (1 January 2005): 72–81.

• Zinn, Marc-Kevin, and Dirk Bockmühl. ‘Did Granny Know Best? Evaluating the Antibacterial, Antifungal and Antiviral Efficacy of Acetic Acid for Home Care Procedures’. BMC Microbiology 20 (26 August 2020): 265.