Is it easy to remove stains from real wood worktops?

Question

“I’ve finally decided on a design for my new kitchen, which includes solid wood worktops. Before I embark on sourcing the materials, I wanted to know if you could give me some advice about removing stains from wooden surfaces – I heard this might be an issue.”

Answer

As wood is a natural, porous material, it is possible that liquids and other materials can be absorbed into the surface more easily than a surface such as granite. However, if the surface is treated correctly before and after installation, and is maintained properly thereafter, a wooden worktop can function at a high level for many years.

After installation, regular oiling is required to build up a protective layer on the worktop; and once this initial period has passed, we recommend oiling worktops at least twice a year. Some customers choose to treat their wooden worktops with alternative coatings such as lacquer, which provides a sealed, water-resistant finish, but – in our opinion – gives the wood a false appearance, so it may not be to your taste.

If any spills occur on a solid wood worktop, they should be wiped immediately with a clean cloth. To remove some stains, you may be required to treat them with a cleaning solution – we recommend a combination of washing-up liquid and vinegar. More information on cleaning worktops can be found in our How to Clean Wooden Worktops’ Nutshell guide.

Even if a worktop becomes stained by a substance that cannot be cleaned easily, the natural qualities of wood mean that the surface can be returned to its original condition with minimal fuss: usually, a light sanding will suffice. After the stain has been removed by sanding, the surface will need to be re-sealed by applying a fresh coat of oil; this will also have the effect of blending the affected patch with the rest of the timber. We recommend reading our ‘Repairing Minor Kitchen Worktop Damage’ guide to find out more.