Help me with my wooden worktops!

[foxychox]

We had oak worktops installed a few weeks ago and already they seem to be covered in stains and grease marks. I’m trying so hard to keep them pristine but we have 2 teenagers who are a bit sloppy. I’ve tried a few things to clean the tops such as soapy water and a soap spray but nothing is shifting the marks. I can’t use anything too harsh as it will damage the wood. They were treated with oil prior to us installing.
anyone got any good ideas to clean them pls?

Were they properly oiled? You can’t just oil them you need to give them a good going over with fine sand paper. Then multiple coats of oil. Leaving each coat to dry properly.

Sand them then 2 coats of osmo oil. It is the only one that actually protects wood.

Mild soap solution on daily basis. Danish oil, once a month. You have to keep treating them with oil.

Sand them, two coats of Osmo oil with tine to dry in between. Then ditch them for something more practical because frankly they will never be a good choice in a kitchen. I say that with 12 years of experience - still waiting to get them replaced after inheriting them in a house move.

Fiddes or Osmo hard wax oil is brilliant. It makes the wood almost as easy to keep as laminate and only has to be redone occasionally. Also, you don't need to redo the entire worktop, just sand and redo where needed (e.g. around the sink). You can buy sample sachets to try: EBay is a good source.

Also, try barkeeps friend to clean them.

We've had oak worktops finished with Osmo hard wax oil for 8 years, and they look like new. They've been absolutely bomb proof in a house with three teens.

Yes, use Osmo oil, it's the best thing. I faffed about with Danish oil and the stuff that came with our kitchen, and none of it was any good. We moved over to Osmo and I haven't had to touch it again for maybe 6 years. Still looks as good as new

If you have black water marks, use oxalic acid (wood bleach) and then sand and oil.

I recommend osmo too. Ours are looking a bit tired and need doing again but they look fab when freshly done

Here to see before and after photos after you've switched to the osmo oil.