the wood used for our butcher block tops is kiln dried to a moisture content of 6%, making the countertops very susceptible to water and dampness. extremes of either humidity or dryness can cause the wood to swell and shrink enough to cause small seasonal checks. this is an unavoidable condition of enjoying the character and beauty of a product made from a natural material.

but there are a few things you can do to help preserve your butcher block. keeping your home properly humidified in the winter and summer, and refreshing the wood with oil on a regular basis will help prevent the wood from cracking. if cracks do appear, filling them with a cellulose filler of the correct tint can make them practically invisible.

daily cleaning
first scrape loose any food particles or foreign matter that may have adhered to the wood surface with a steel scraper or spatula. then brush or scrape any remaining loose particles from the surface. take a dish cloth and moisten with warm soapy water, use very mild detergent. take a dry cloth and go over all surfaces to dry thoroughly. apply mineral oil as recommended.

monthly maintenance
with a minimum amount of care and maintenance on your butcher block counter, you can lengthen the life of your tops. all butcher block products must be oiled on all surfaces at least once a month to protect the wood.