White kitchen worktops can make stylish additions to a kitchen when properly cared for; however, if they the countertop is wooden then it must be protected from heat and moisture damage in order to remain durable.

Apply a few thin coats of oil regularly with a microfiber cloth (microfiber is highly recommended). Modern wood oils are easy to maintain and highly resistant to scratches, marks, and water damage—ideal treatments.

Check out our blog to see how to look after your wood and white kitchen worktops and how these countertops can make a lovely new addition to your home.

woman leaning on white kitchen worktop

Oiling

Solid wood worktops add rustic beauty and charm to your kitchen, but they do require special care in order to remain beautiful. Oiling will protect the worktops from warping or rotting while also helping them resist water damage caused by spills and staining from spilled liquid. Furthermore, oiling gives each worktop its own unique patina that continues to evolve over time with subsequent oiling sessions.

Danish oil is one of the most widely used treatments for wooden surfaces. Food-safe, it quickly dries to form an effective protective barrier against physical damage and moisture penetration while offering food-grade safety standards.

Apply a thin coat of oil using a cloth over the entire surface of your worktop, making sure all gaps and crevices are completely covered. Allow to dry for approximately eight hours before applying another thin layer; repeat this every three to six months as soon as its sheen fades and water no longer beads up into distinct drops on its surface.

An effective way to save money is by developing the habit of wiping down your wooden worktops regularly, particularly after each use in the sink area. Make an effort not to leave wet crockery sitting for too long on your worktop, and quickly clean up spillages as soon as they occur. This will help minimise accidental stains while preventing water penetration into its grain and encouraging mildew growth.

If specially fitted white kitchen worktops become discoloured, a light rub with fine-grit sandpaper followed by an application of more oil should restore it to its former glory. Also, take precaution when placing hot pans on it; they could scorch and stain the wood surface! In particular, take special note when handling pigmented spices like turmeric, as this can stain it. Also, avoid dragging pots and pans across them, as this could cause scratches. Always use a chopping board when handling meat or fish to prevent knife marks!

Sanding

White kitchen worktops are often robust and long lasting yet they are not immune to moisture if they are wooden. Moisture can damage countertop wood over time. Fortunately, you can easily protect them with regular sanding and oiling to maintain optimal performance. This is recommended as an annual maintenance action to remove scratch marks, dirt, or grime that have collected on them over time.

Light sanding of the sink area is particularly essential, where water splashes might enter through cracks in the ceramic. This could result in discoloration, particularly black stains, which not only look unsightly but can create the ideal environment for mildew and mould growth. In severe cases, discoloration could even start degrading the surface and eventually cause rot in the wood if left untreated.

Electric sanders offer the best results; however, even without one, it is still possible to manually sand your worktops. Start off by using coarse-grit sandpaper before moving on to finer grades of paper grit. Multiple coats may be necessary in order to achieve your desired level of smoothness or remove deep staining or marks on the worktop surface.

Once finished sanding, your worktops should be thoroughly cleaned and then dried down before being treated with natural oils such as Danish oil or mineral oil to restore natural oils to the wood and provide protection from water or heat damage. Varnish isn’t advised due to being too fragile and cracking or peeling when exposed to heat or humidity; wax can also be slippery without providing much protection.

Oiling comes in many forms: brushes, foam brushes, roller sleeves, or pieces of cloth can all be effective methods of applying the oil evenly across your worktop. Once the initial application of oil has dried completely, apply two additional coats so your worktop is protected against both heat and water damage.

Sealing

Wooden kitchen worktops are in demand for homes as they make an aesthetic edition to almost any kitchen style. Not only can they add warmth and homeliness, they can transform a room’s overall atmosphere. Wooden worktops provide an authentic aesthetic but require ongoing care and maintenance, with oiling being one of the key steps in protecting their surface from water damage or staining.

Danish oil is the preferred oil to protect wooden worktops, as its deep penetration penetrates timber pores and enhances their coloring. Unfortunately, multiple coats must be applied regularly and reapplied after cleaning or other maintenance requirements have been fulfilled. Other worktop oils available on the market may provide adequate protection but may not last as long or provide as durable protection compared with Danish oil.

Remember to add a protective seal around the edges of your wooden worktops as well. This can be accomplished using a gap filler specifically made for wood, available from any DIY store, to seal against leakage from below the worktops. This will provide an added measure of defence against potential water issues that might sneak under its sides.

Once the final coat of oil has been applied, it is wise to allow it to set for at least 24 hours so it can penetrate and dry into the wood, providing maximum protection. You should then be free to cut, chop, and cook on your wooden worktop without fear of water seepage compromising their integrity.

Solid wood worktops bring warmth, character, and personality to any kitchen, from rustic oak and luxurious dark walnut to bright and light maple. If cared for correctly with regular sanding, cleaning, and oiling, they should last years without showing signs of wear and tear.

Make sure to use trivets under hot pans to protect the wood, as well as chopping boards when prepping food on surfaces like countertops or worktops. Also, beware of pigmented spices like turmeric, as they may stain them, and always wipe down your worktops after each cooking session with a damp cloth for best results.

Cleaning

Wooden worktops are relatively simple to keep clean if oiled, as daily wiping with warm water and dish-up liquid or natural cleaners is sufficient to eliminate most stains, such as burn marks from hot pans and marks from sharp knives. Any stubborn spots, such as burn marks, may need sanding out before applying a fresh layer of oil.

Re-oiling wooden worktops on an ongoing basis will prevent them from drying out, which could potentially lead to mould growth or even rotting wood in extreme cases. Food-grade oils like Osmo TopOil or Wood Wax Finish will ensure that their surface remains flexible yet strong and stain-proof.

Water bead testing is the ideal way to determine whether your worktops need re-oiling. When timber has been properly treated with oil, its surface will have a shine, with droplets tightly beading when water is poured onto its surface.

If your worktops no longer exude a sheen, it may be time to add additional oil. Re-oiling these areas could prevent spillage from occurring, as these parts will be exposed more frequently to water than others of the worktops.

After each cleaning of your worktops, it is recommended that a thin coating of oil be applied. You can purchase wooden worktop oil at any DIY store and simply pour a small amount onto a microfiber cloth or lint-free cloth and spread in the direction of grain until there is an even coat covering the entire surface of your worktops. Repeat this process until all surfaces have been covered.

Avoid using harsh abrasive materials on your wooden worktops, such as wire scourers or harsh chemical cleaning solutions, that could potentially cause irreparable damage. A light scrubbing using a soft cloth should suffice in removing most stains; for stubborn spots, try diluting white vinegar in water or lemon juice for additional treatment options.

How to Get Scrashes Out of Kitchen Worktops

Even the highest-quality worktop materials can become worn and stained over time due to heat, food preparation, and rigorous cleaning routines.

Fill small laminate scratches with colour-matched filler paste or wax. After thoroughly cleaning the countertop, use a plastic putty knife to spread the grain of the laminate surface while periodically wiping down to check your progress.

Baking soda

Kitchen worktop materials of any material may become scratched over time. This is due to constant exposure from knife cuts, chopping, heat, and cookware being dragged across it by cookware dragging against its surface. While regular cleaning can help avoid this happening, abrasions and scratches do still happen and should usually be treated using affordable natural remedies such as baking soda if the marks occur on light-coloured laminate countertops. For instance, baking soda can remove dark scratches in light colours quickly!

To use this remedy, begin by cleansing the affected area with warm, soapy water and a soft cloth. Next, mix one tablespoon of water with two to three teaspoons of baking soda in equal parts, applying this paste over any areas with scratches in a circular motion until the scratched areas disappear completely. Finally, rinse your countertop thoroughly with clean water before wiping it down using a soft cloth towel.

If the scratch is more serious, non-gel toothpaste might help. Rub some on a clean rag and buff in small, circular motions for 30 seconds before rinsing, wiping off with water and wiping down with a cloth to complete this step.

Marble countertops make stunning additions to any kitchen, but if left uncovered, they are vulnerable to scratches and stains. To safeguard against this, it’s advisable to cover them when not in use with coasters or placemats; light scratches can often be remedied with baking soda; for deeper scratches, fill them in using quartz repair filler or fast-setting super glue; just be sure that any spills are cleaned up immediately to avoid drying out completely!

Non-gel toothpaste

Kitchen worktops endure some of the most extreme wear and tear of all surfaces in any home, from knife cuts and heat from cookware dragging across them to oil spillages, dirt, and grime accumulation to knife cuts, oil leakage spillage spillages, and general spillages, leaving dull patches or scratches that make a room appear lifeless. But it is possible to reduce or even completely erase these scratches and bring back their former beauty with proper maintenance of these worktops.

Use common items found around your home to buff away plastic scratches, such as toothpaste, baking soda, and sandpaper. A commercial plastic polishing compound may also work. Before beginning any buffing process, it’s advisable to thoroughly clean the surface using mild dishwashing liquid and a soft cloth; this will ensure any debris has been removed so it is ready for buffing.

Select a non-gel white toothpaste without added flavours or colours, apply a small amount directly to the scratched area and rub in circular motions. Rinse well after use and dry it thoroughly using a clean, lint-free cloth; toothpaste contains mild abrasives that will help smooth away scratches on plastic and restore its glossy, smooth surface.

Alternatively, use wet microgrit sandpaper to buff away scratches that remain visible after applying toothpaste. This will level out the surface of the plastic gradually while potentially eliminating even deep scratches. However, only use microgrit sandpaper on plastic; regular sandpaper may damage it irreparably.

Once you have used toothpaste and sandpaper to repair scratches, you can complete your efforts by applying furniture paste wax; this should take only minutes and can be found at most hardware stores. After applying it, use a soft cloth to polish any areas where there are still scratches.

Furniture paste wax

Even though our kitchens are designed to withstand heat, food preparation, and regular cleaning routines, they may still become damaged from scratches and nicks. Luckily, there are affordable methods of eliminating these unsightly marks from worktops. Your choice of method depends on what material your countertop is constructed from; various materials require various treatments; for instance, quartz worktops tend to be less vulnerable to scratches than their granite counterparts but still must be kept protected against wear and tear. A non-gel toothpaste may help alleviate scratches on this surface, although they may not entirely vanish. Prior to beginning, make sure that the area is clean and dry and that any electrical cables from extensions have been disconnected; additionally, turn off gas and water supplies if applicable.

For laminate kitchen worktops, furniture paste wax may be an easy and economical solution for minor scratches. Available at most hardware stores, simply spread a small amount over the affected area and rub in a circular motion before wiping away with a cloth dampened with white spirit.

First, gently sand the affected area using fine-grit sandpaper or very fine steel wool to help absorb treatment products and fade the appearance of scratches. A special marble polish may also work to restore your counter’s original condition.

Wood countertops may benefit from using colour-matching repair filler or furniture wax to restore them, though prior to applying either solution, it is wise to sand down all surfaces so the filler or wax covers any scratches evenly, is thus less obvious and blends in better with its surroundings.

For stubborn marks, try using a stain pen to cover them. Available in various colours and very user-friendly, simply draw along any scratches with it until the pen matches the surface colour of its surroundings.

Stainless steel

Stainless steel worktops may lose their sleek and modern appeal with just a few superficial scratches due to constant exposure to heat, chopping and cutting activity, cookware being dragged across them, as well as oils, spills, and dirt. While regular cleaning and the use of chopping boards will help limit surface damage as much as possible, some damage may still occur over time.

Most scratches can be repaired with minimal effort and expense, from light scratches that can be buffed out with polishing compound and kitchen oil to deeper gouges requiring some elbow grease. Before beginning repairs on any worktop surface, however, first ensure it has been completely cleaned of dirt, grime, or food debris using a soft cloth; otherwise, all worktop repairs will become increasingly difficult over time.

Once the surface has been thoroughly cleaned, find out in which direction the grain of your worktop runs and use a damp cloth to wipe it clean. This will allow you to easily spot scratches in metal, which you can then polish with moderate pressure using a polishing compound.

There are various kitchen stainless steel scratch removal products on the market, such as Bar Keeper’s Friend, Bon Ami, and non-gel toothpaste, available to consumers for use on kitchen worktops. You can purchase these either individually or as part of a kit that contains a cleaner, pad, and scrubbing sponge. To use, apply some product to a damp cloth and rub it in along the grain until the scratch no longer shows through.

If your worktop features more serious gouges or cracks, these should be professionally repaired by an expert. Deep scratches may be filled in using quartz repair filler or super glue after cleaning and drying your worktop properly.

Granite and quartz materials tend to be more resistant to scratches, yet they can still become damaged. Light scratches may be rectified using polishing solutions, while deeper ones should be filled in using repair compound or super glue.