Some use their butcher blocks as a large cutting board, others treat them like fine furniture. In either case, simply wipe clean with a moist sponge after use. Avoid harsh detergents and puddles of standing water. Maintenance for your countertop depends largely on how you use it and what finish was specified.
Durable, and refinishable, your butcher block work surface will last a very long time, so you won't have to think about chucking it out and getting another one. This means that not only are you going to get a lot of use out of your investment - it also means less overall demand for new countertop options, and less waste in the long run.
When the time comes for someone to finally replace the butcher block surface, there is the final bonus that it does not have to be thrown away. The wood could be used to make something else that is useful like cutting boards, or foot stools, or a bench - anything that's made out of wood. It might also be chipped up and used in the garden, or even simply pitched into the compost pile where it can safely bio-degrade. Whatever you do with it, your butcher block, unlike so many countertops on the market today, does not have to end up in the landfill.
When installing a butcher block, allowances need to be made for the seasonal changes in humidity which will cause it to expand or contract in width (see install instructions from the manufacturer.)
With the exception of the Northwest Orchard Walnut, our butcher blocks have the option of coming pre-finished with OSMO Polyx Oil. Our most popular product, OSMO Polyx Oil will not emit harmful odors or chemicals once dry, and is non-soluble. Therefore, while commonly used on floors, it can also be used on food preparation surfaces such as kitchen countertops, cutting boards or tables.
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