Refreshing Butcher Block

The butcher block top of our kitchen island had become dull and blotchy in appearance, so we sought out a solution to this problem.  We learned that refreshing a butcher block top, for any type of cabinetry or furniture, is an easy process.

Here is what our butcher block top looked like before we started:

We selected the Howard Butcher Block Conditioner from Lowes to refresh our top.  This project took about 1 hour from start to finish.

 

Step 1:  Prepare the Surface

The butcher block conditioner uses a blend of beeswax, Brazilian carnauba wax, and food-grade mineral oil.  So, it needs to be warmed before applying.  I set the bottle of conditioner in a bowl of hot water and proceeded to clean the top.

Soap and water worked fine to clean the top using a clean kitchen sponge.  I paid special attention to work out any stains on the surface.  I followed this with a clean water rinse, toweled off the remaining moisture, and let the top dry.

Step 2:  Apply the Conditioner

Using a clean cloth, I applied a liberal amount of conditioner to the butcher block.  The idea is let it soak into the wood.  I worked the conditioner in with circular strokes at first, and then finished with strokes along the grain.  I followed the directions for the conditioner and let it soak in for 20 minutes.

Step 3:  Remove the Excess

With another clean cloth, I removed the conditioner that had not soaked in.  I used strokes along the grain of the wood during this process.

Step 4:  Final Polish

The last step is to lightly polish the surface with another clean cloth.  And this is the result!

This project is a quick and easy way to restore the luster of your butcher block top.  The conditioner we used is non-toxic, so this would be a great project for kids to help with.

Want more DIY tips and tricks for maintaining your home and adding items that are easy to create? Check out our other posts on this topic here.

Hi! My name is Bill and I’m Janet’s husband. My father started me on household maintenance when I was 8 years old, grinding faucet washer seats to control drips (remember those?). A few years later he had me doing simple household wiring, even once wiring in a new ceiling light in the kitchen while the circuit was hot! Lesson learned, always double check the circuit is disabled. Ever since then I have always done as much of my own home maintenance and remodeling as I could. I would rather do it myself than hire someone.
In my 20’s I was exposed to the hobby of woodworking and fell in love. Over the years I have drifted to and from the hobby, mainly due to work, but have never left it. I’m not a commercial woodworker, but rather a hobbyist. I have built toys, decorative plaques, shelves, cabinets, and a few small pieces of furniture.

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