Solid oak kitchen worktop and sink splashes

[shoom]

I've seen in the archive that I can use hard wax to protect the wooden worktop in my kitchen. Realistically, every time I touch the taps with wet hands to switch the tap off there will be splashes hitting the bit of worktop behind the taps. What do you do apart from constantly wipe the drips away? Wax this bit more frequently? Leave a cloth or something there to catch the drips?

[StopSquabbling]

We have solid oak.

It was treated with this. Which means no oiling or stressing over water splashes.

It has a slightly shiny finish, unlike oil - but I thin it looks nicer.

[shoom]

Thanks. I can't see a price online. Do you buy it in-store?

[VoiceoversSoundSmug]

Do not do it. I ended up a slave to oiling the surfaces and they never looked as good as when they were first done.

[lessonsintightropes]

My SIL used marine oil, 16 coats, applied over three weeks before really using the counter without wiping - it's now almost bullet proof, and lovely. She intends to sand and recoat every couple of years.

[shoom]

I've acquired the worktop when buying a house. I don't like high maintenance options so appreciate the ideas to make this easier! . It seems ok condition atm.

[Thistledew]

I treated around my sink with wood hardener such as you would use for treating external timber that has gone a bit soft. I scrub down the surfaces with an abrasive paste and absolutely soak them in ordinary vegetable oil 2 or 3 times a year, and find that keeps them looking great. The trick is to really saturate them with oil to start with. I did about 4 coats by leaving a thin layer to soak in over night. Now I just put on one layer but actually puddle it slightly around the sink. Water just sits on the surface and I wipe it off with a sponge when I have finished using the sink.

[StopSquabbling]

I don't know how much it is, not expensive though & you can buy it in Howdens.

We've just re-done it after 18 months. Light sanding and then one coat painted on. It really looks nice and no black spots or water damage whatsoever.

[SoulJacker]

We haven't done anything different around our sink and 2 years on there are no issues in that area. Can't quite picture why turning the taps off with wet hands would get the worktop wet? Are the taps not over a bit of the sink?