Want to Maintain Your Walnut Worktops? Keep these Wooden Beauties Glossy for long years!
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Walnut worktops for the kitchen are made from solid wood, which makes them a preferred possession for many families. Because they are not only exceptionally beautiful, but bring a hint of nature to your home. Their natural fineness cannot be compared to worktops from other materials. The aesthetic qualities of walnut worktops are increased by their protective lacquering and oil coating. These handsome kitchen walnut worktops are the object of our attention today, as we’re going to give you some easy to follow and quick advice on how to keep them in tip-top condition.
How to treat walnut worktops to keep them strong?
When you’ve already installed your walnut hardwood worktop in the kitchen, it’s time for you to treat it in order to maintain in prime condition. As it’s made from natural wood material, it needs some “tender loving care”. But the question is: what is the best treatment for walnut worktops? The following steps show what should you do for that:
Oil regularly the wooden surface of your walnut worktop
Oil regularly, to cover its slightly porous natural surface. It’s preferable to use Danish oil for walnut worktops. Applying 5 coats is enough for reaching sufficient protection. Spread the oil over the walnut worktop and leave to dry out, for 30 minutes. Then wipe away with a soft brush the excess oil and let it dry for 8–10 hours. After that, repeat the procedure once again.
There are other possible alternatives to the Danish oil, like the Tung oil, derived from the nuts of Tung tree. It penetrates in the wooden surface, leaving a hard satin to golden look finish. The other possibility is to dye with linseed (flaxseed) oil, which comes from pressed flax plant seeds. It also penetrates in the wood, but sometimes can be sticky, and it takes much time to dry. Linseed oil doesn’t harden very well and can encourage mildew to grow on the walnut worktops surfaces. That means they would require more frequent maintenance.
Keep it from damp the first 3–4 weeks after installation
It’s essential to take more care for your walnut worktop for the first few weeks after you’ve installed it. You should work carefully in the kitchen so that not leave any liquids to stay on the surface for longer time. Because this can stain it or lead to forming splits.
Dye the walnut worktops with oil weekly
The protective surface of the walnut worktops should be dyed weekly with oil during 1.5-2 months period, to make the coverage stronger. After that, you may continue dyeing every 2–3 months, if you think it’s necessary.
Check regularly the stability of the walnut worktops’ protection coverage
There is one simple test, which may ensure that the protection coverage of your worktop is stable. Check weather some water poured on the surface forms droplets and if it is the case, the protection is good enough. But if the water simply spills, then re-oiling is a must. Oil the surface anytime, if you notice worn down or dull areas on it. Though, it would be ideal, if you do not let the walnut worktop reach this not at all good condition.
How to clean the solid walnut worktops?
The wooden walnut worktops should be cleaned regularly to keep them shiny. Wipe with a dry towel every time you work on them, ensuring there are no water drops on them. Even though the walnut worktops have protective coverage, leaving water on the surface of this porous wood material may cause problems. And it’s recommended to clean them every week. You may use for the purpose the following cleaning solutions that we suggest:
Cleaning with soapy solution
Prepare a warm, slightly soapy solution and wipe out with microfiber towel the walnut worktop surface. Pass with your hand everywhere, including the corners and other hard to reach places. This action will ensure that most of the unwanted bacteria are removed from its surface.
Removing grease from the walnut worktops
But the problem is that much of the grease stains still remain on the wooden worktop. They provide a feeding substrate for bacteria, which may grow in colonies there. Therefore, the following simple homemade cleaning solution will help you in this situation:
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup (60 g) of white vinegar
- 1 tbs of washing liquid
- 2 cups (470 ml) of water
Mix the ingredients and pour the mixture in a spraying bottle. Then spray the solution on your walnut worktop cover. Leave this wet layer to sit for 10–15 seconds and wipe away till the surface is completely dry.
If you wish to reach a pleasant smelling effect, replace the vinegar with some lemon juice. When regularly oiled and cleaned, a wood walnut worktop will last for many years, keeping its beautiful and shiny look.
