How To Refinish Butcher Block Countertops & Maintain Them
Butcher block countertops are a classic, timeless, yet functional addition to any kitchen. But, like any surface, they can get scratches, stains, and dents over time. If you’re wondering how to revive and refinish butcher block countertops, you’ve come to the right place!
Thankfully, refinishing them is incredibly easy and can give your kitchen a fresh new look without breaking the bank. In this post, I'm sharing easy-to-follow steps on refinishing your butcher block countertops for the first time, what products to use, and tips for maintenance to keep them looking beautiful for years.
What is a Butcher Block?
Fun fact: not all wood countertops are butcher blocks. So, you might be wondering, “What is butcher block?” Well, let me break it down for you.
Butcher block countertops are made of wood, but not solid slabs of wood. Instead, butcher block countertops are made by gluing thick, straight cuts of wood together into a sturdy and durable slab you can cut on, much like a wood cutting board. The name comes from the fact that they were initially used in butcher shops to cut and prep meat, but they're also great for all food prep.
What Are the Benefits of Butcher Block Countertops?
Butcher block countertops are one of the most beautiful and affordable DIY countertop options out there. You can purchase butcher block countertop slabs at most home improvement stores and cut and install them yourself without needing tons of tools, even if you are a total DIY beginner. We have cut and installed them ourselves many times over the past 20 years! Most recently, we installed a butcher block counter when we transformed our outdated built-in office area into a functional butler's pantry.
Can You Refinish Butcher Block Countertops?
Yes, absolutely! If the surface of your butcher block looks a bit damaged and worn, fear not! You do NOT need to replace your butcher block countertops. With proper care, you can make them look gorgeous again in only a couple of hours.
This wooden countertop update is one of the many projects we did in Thea’s $997 kitchen makeover, and let me tell you, it made a tremendous impact for less than $30. Her countertops looked like this before they had the first coat of stain–scratched and pretty beat up.
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How to Refinish Butcher Block Countertops
Materials Needed
- Electric orbital sander (this is our favorite one that we use most often)
- Sandpaper (60 grit, 100 grit, and 150 grit)
- Shop vac (to keep the mess to a minimum)
- Hemp Oil for wood
- Foam paintbrush
- Old t-shirt or rags
Time needed: 2 hours
Refinishing your butcher block countertops is quick and easy. It shouldn't take more than a couple of hours, and you will be amazed by the results. You can also use this method on a butcher block table top.
- Prep the area
The first step is to clear your countertops and tape off your kitchen backsplash to protect it, especially if you are worried about accidentally hitting it with your sander. We had just completed painting the tile backsplash, so we were very careful!
- Sand
Now, you are ready to start sanding your butcher block countertops! An electric orbital sander will help this go quickly, and they are generally affordable. I recommend starting with 60-grit sandpaper to remove stains, burn marks, or knife gouges on the butcher block surface; just be careful not to sand so much that you create a dip in the counter. Next, sand the entire surface of the countertop with 100-grit sandpaper. Lastly, sand the entire countertop with 150-grit sandpaper until nice and smooth. It took us less than 15 minutes to do all of the sanding. It's not a bad idea to have one person hold the shop vac and suck up as much sawdust as possible while the other person sands!
- Clean all the dust
Use an old T-shirt or tack cloth to remove dust from the counter surface. You can see in the photo below what a difference the sanding has already made. The sanded bare wood surface is on the left.
- Seal your butcher block countertops
Now you are ready to enhance the color of your butcher block counters AND protect the raw wood with Hemp Oil. I poured some of the hemp oil into a plastic cup and used a foam brush to apply it to the entire piece, brushing in the same direction as the wood grain. After letting this soak in for about an hour, I wiped off the excess with some old rags. I then repeated the same process a second time. It's FAST to brush it on and wipe it off. It took less than 15 minutes (excluding drying time, of course).
For under $30 (we used less than ⅕ of the bottle of Hemp Oil and very little sandpaper) and in less than 2 hours, these formerly damaged butcher block countertops were in top condition, looking beautiful again!
Butcher Block Countertops: Frequently Asked Questions
On a daily basis, be sure to wipe down your countertops with a damp cloth. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive scrubbers as they can damage the wood.
Then every few weeks, clean the surface of your butcher block countertops with a mixture of mild soap and water. Be sure to dry off as much of the water as possible when you are done.
For tougher stains or to remove odors, you can sprinkle the surface of your counters with table salt and scrub with a lemon half. Rinse the surface with water and dry thoroughly.
To keep the wood conditioned and prevent it from drying out, apply a food-safe oil or wax to the surface every few months. Beeswax, hemp oil, mineral oil, and walnut oil are all good options.
Applying a food-grade conditioner to your butcher block countertop is an essential step that helps protect the wood from drying out, cracking, and warping, but this also brings out the natural beauty of the wood species. You can use hemp oil, mineral oil, beeswax, or a combination of products. The application instructions are a bit different depending on your chosen product, but all are easy to work with.
This depends on how often you use and clean your countertops. But generally speaking, I recommend conditioning them every 2 to 3 months to keep them well-conditioned and to restore their natural sheen.
Initially, we applied some Tung Oil, commonly used on butcher block counters, and it really did NOTHING to enhance the look of Thea's counters. We had some Hemp Oil on hand, and since we knew it was completely non-toxic and food-safe, we gave it a shot. The result was transformative! It immediately brought out the wood's rich, warm tones and natural look. Hemp oil is a great wood conditioner because it penetrates and protects the wood from the inside out. And hemp oil does not leave a surface film that will chip or scratch. We just rubbed it off with a dry cloth, which was perfect.
Staining is a great option if you want to change the color of your butcher block or hide any imperfections. It's important to use a wood stain that is food-safe and non-toxic, such as a water-based stain or a natural dye, and apply it evenly with a brush or a cloth in the direction of the grain. Let it soak for 10-15 minutes, then wipe off the excess with a clean cloth and let it dry for several hours. If you stain your butcher block, seal it with a food-safe sealer, such as a food-safe polyurethane.
More Kitchen IDEAS
There you have it: a complete guide on how to refinish your butcher block countertops and make them look beautiful once again! Remember that good sanding and conditioning are key. By following these steps and practicing regular maintenance, your butcher block countertop will be a focal point of your kitchen and will last for years to come!
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