Remove any spills and debris before a stain has opportunity to set in by cleaning the area quickly. Wash the wood with soap and warm water. Incorporate daily cleaning into your kitchen routine, and your countertop will look great. Rub lemon juice onto stains. Add abrasion to the surface to increase the cleaning power by sprinkling a little salt on with the lemon juice. Mix 1 tablespoon hydrogen peroxide into 1 cup warm water. Pour some of the solution onto a stain. Wait a few minutes. Rub the area with a cloth. Use wood bleach or oxalic acid on the stain. Rinse the area with water to remove any residual chemicals. Sand wood countertops to restore a fresh surface. First use 120 grit sandpaper to remove the stain. Then switch to 180 grit sandpaper to smooth the surface. Finally, apply some mineral oil with a rug. Do not use vinegar to clean a wood countertop unless the wood has been sealed. Vinegar can dissolve the glue that binds the wood together and can leave the wood pithy or splintered because it eats away at the wood’s density.

Pour a generous amount of warm mineral oil onto the countertop. Oils help prevent warping and cracking. The wood will only accept the amount of oil it needs, so do not fret about applying too much. Make sure any oil you use is food-grade. Cooking oils should not be used. They will turn rancid with time and exposure to air, giving off a foul odor. Use a rag to rub the oil into the wood. Apply oils with the grain of the wood. Allow the oil to soak into the wood 20 to 30 minutes. Wipe the surface with a cloth or paper towel to remove any excess oil.

Melt paraffin wax or beeswax in the microwave, and add it to mineral oil at a 1:4 ratio. Apply this mixture to the wood while the wax is still warm. Spread it over the surface with a cloth. Allow the surface to cool and dry, and rub the cloth over it again to polish the surface. Reapply wax once a month to maintain the surface.

Apply coats of polyurethane to the countertop surface. A sealed surface makes the countertop easy to clean but is not recommended for cutting surfaces. Select a urethane that is FDA approved to ensure the substance is safe to be in contact with your food. Apply at least 3 coats to get a good, solid coating.

Keep humidity at a fairly consistent level, avoiding drastic fluctuations, by regulating your heater, air conditioner, humidifier or dehumidifier.