Cleaning your worktop – how should you clean different types?

Last Updated on October 8, 2024

Different worktop surfaces will need to be cleaned using varying techniques. Here, we’ll outline the best way to keep laminate and wood surfaces clean, to ensure your counters look their best and do the job for years.

How to clean kitchen worktops

Wood and laminate worktops are the most popular choices for modern kitchen surfaces. Each material has unique characteristics and cleaning needs and will cope with regular use differently. This guide covers cleaning and maintaining solid wood worktops and caring for laminate surfaces, with tips and tricks to help your kitchen shine, day in, day out.

Cleaning wooden worktops

Real wood worktops – particularly oak – are popular for kitchens, but customers frequently worry they’ll be difficult to care for. The good news? While they need more maintenance than laminate surfaces, keeping wooden worktops in shape doesn’t need to be a chore.

One of the biggest advantages of wooden surfaces is that they are naturally antibacterial. Almost 100% of bacteria on wooden surfaces are quickly killed off, so you only need to use simple cleaning practices to keep them hygienic.

Check out our Oak worktops

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Check out our Oak worktops

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Harsh chemicals are a big no-no on wooden worktops; they may destroy the oiled finish. Standing water should be wiped up too, as wood is naturally porous and any moisture that enters the surface could cause damage.

Daily worktop cleaning

After use, wipe your wooden work surface with a damp cloth to get rid of crumbs and spillages. Use warm soapy water rather than chemical-based products and avoid abrasive sponges as they can damage the finish. Give it another wipe with a dry cloth or kitchen roll to remove excess water from the surface.

Weekly worktop cleaning

Each week, treat your wooden worktop to a more rigorous clean to remove accumulated grime and maintain the natural lustre of the wood grain. You can either use a worktop cleaner specifically intended for wood surfaces (such as OSMO’s spray cleaner, which moisturises and cleans oiled and waxed wood surfaces) or create your own inexpensive cleaner using vinegar, water and soap. See our advice on natural cleaning solutions for worktops below, to discover how to make this at home.

Worktop maintenance

When weighing up the pros and cons of hardwood countertops, the biggest advantage is the fact that they can be continuously repaired and rejuvenated back to pristine condition.

Below is the lifecycle of a timber worktop after installation:

Phase 1. Sanding and Oiling

Time needed: 3-4 Days to sand and re-apply 3-4 coats of Osmo/Danish Oil. 

Phase 2. Maintenance

Time needed: One day every 5-6 months and use best maintenance practices.

Phase 3. Cleaning – That is what we will cover in this guide!

Time needed: On a daily basis, use simple best practices.

Please note: If you follow the best practices, you can cycle between Maintenance (Phase 2) and Cleaning (Phase 3) for many years before you even need to re-sand your worktop to repair any damages or stains. 

Phase 4.

When stained, damaged or scratched, go back to step 1, repair and repeat.

How to care for your wooden worktop

Wooden worktops can last for years if you take good care of them by:

• Regularly oiling the surface: two to three times a year, treat your wooden counter to a quick sand and a fresh coat of oil to protect the finish. Sink areas will need re-oiling more regularly than the rest of the worktop.
• Using heat-proof mats: Avoid burn marks by placing pots or baking trays fresh from the oven on a trivet, mat or worktop saver instead of directly on the wood.
• Avoiding water damage: Dry spills promptly and keep water away from joins or edges to prevent damage to the porous surface. Pay particular attention to the area around the sink, taking care not to let water stand on the surface and drying items promptly rather than letting them stand on the drainage board.
• Opting for an overmount sink: Overmount sinks are mounted on top of the worktop and help to prevent the wood from water exposure. Undermount sinks are more likely to need maintenance as the wood grain over the sink is much more exposed.
• Preventing scratches: Use a chopping board to protect the surface and repair scratches quickly using a filler.

If damage occurs to your wooden worktop, it’s not the end of the world. The beauty of this natural material is that it can continually be mended and returned to its original state. Stains and discolourations around the sink can be sanded down, and the surface resealed. Scratches and dents can be filled and even burn marks can be remedied.

How to clean laminate worktops

Laminate worktops are durable, affordable and notoriously easy to maintain, but they will need a little regular help to stay in peak condition.

Daily cleaning

Wipe your laminate surface down with a damp cloth and warm soapy water to remove crumbs, splashes and dust before it builds up. It’s best to use a soft cloth rather than a scourer as abrasive cleaning pads can scratch and damage the surface. Dry off the surface with a clean tea towel afterwards.

Weekly cleaning

We recommend wiping your laminate surface with a disinfectant or anti-bacterial spray at least once a week to kill off germs and bacteria and keep your kitchen hygienic.

Laminate worktops: cleaning tips and tricks

Along with a regular wipe-down, you can care for your laminate countertop by:

• Avoiding heat damage: laminate can be damaged by contact with excessive heat. Use trivets or heat-proof boards rather than placing hot pans or trays directly onto the surface.
• Tackling ingrained dirt: Spills are easiest to clean if you pounce on them right away. Stubborn stains can usually be removed with soapy water and elbow grease. Aim to avoid harsh chemicals, although – as a last resort – a very mild bleach solution could tackle ingrained dirt and get a laminate surface back to square one.
• Using a chopping board: If laminate gets scratched, water damage may occur and your surfaces could become warped or start to harbour mould. Prevent accidents by using a chopping board to cut up vegetables and protect the worktop from sharp implements.
• Taking care around seams or joins: the weakest parts of your work surface are the edges, as they are more susceptible to water entering them. Keep surfaces dry after wiping them down to prevent water damage, which could lead to rot.

How to make your own kitchen worktop cleaner

Once the worktop is thoroughly cleaned, you can now focus on keeping your worktop free of any recurring bacteria and germs with a simple mixture of vinegar, water and soap.

All you need:

• A clean spray bottle
• 4 cups of water
• ½ cup of vinegar (any sort will do)
• 2 tablespoons of washing-up liquid

How to use:

• Mix the ingredients in the spray bottle.
• Spray onto the work surface and leave for 5-10 minutes.
• Wipe off the solution with a smooth, lint-free cloth.
• Dry the surface completely with a paper towel.

Does vinegar really kill germs and bacteria? 

Yes, it does. UK researchers found that vinegar, much like bleach and washing up liquid, can rapidly exterminate bacteria, germs and even flu virus. 

Whilst cleaning the worktop, you should also observe the way water is sitting on your worktop. If the water sits flat, you should give your worktop an additional coat of oil to make sure it is well protected.
Properly maintaining and cleaning your kitchen will make sure you have timber worktops that last for generations!

If you have any questions about anything worktop related, please do not hesitate to
get in touch with us!

You can find us at 01727260688 or [email protected] 

Enjoy your kitchen and wood worktops!