Enhancing your kitchen space with John Boos brand countertop is a big investment, and we want to make sure it’s a lasting investment. Below are detailed instructions for maintaining your Boos Block countertops and ensuring they remain beautiful and functional for years to come.
Kitchen Countertops: Oil Finish
CARE & MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS
A minimum of once a month (depending upon the use and household conditions), apply an even coat of Boos Block® Mystery Oil to all surfaces of your countertop using a clean cloth, disposable towel or Boos Block®️ applicator. The more often it is cleaned, the more often it should be oiled. A dry appearance is a sure sign it is time to oil your wood surface. Make sure the countertop surface is free from any food debris, dirt, oil, or grease before applying Mystery Oil
Allow the Mystery Oil to fully penetrate through the wood fibers overnight, then wipe off any excess oil. Apply additional oil to any visible dry spots or for any other necessary reasons. Do not over oil your wood surface.
For additional protection, it is recommended to use Boos Block® Board Cream to seal the wood surface in conjunction with the Mystery Oil. Apply an even coat of the Board Cream using a clean cloth, disposable towel or Boos Block® applicator. Allow the Board Cream to penetrate the wood surface overnight, then wipe off any excess cream.
• Boos Block® Mystery Oil is a food-grade oil that easily absorbs and penetrates deeply into the grain of the wood to help protect, revitalize and moisturize the wood fibers.
• Boos Block® Board Cream contains a natural, unbleached beeswax and food-grade oil formula. The thicker formula provides a silky wax barrier to the wood surface to help protect against foods and liquids.
Maintain the same bevel on the edge of your countertop as it had when purchased. This helps prevent splitting or chipping on the outside of the countertop.
Be sure NEVER to cut continuously on the same surface area. Distribute your cutting over the entire work surface so that it will wear evenly.
Minor scratches can be repaired by sanding the affected area with a fine grit (#200) sandpaper. When sanding, always sand with the grain. If the area needing repaired is located along the edges, lightly sand the edges into the surrounding area. Remove all dust.
CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS
Make sure the countertop surface is free from any food debris, dirt, oil, or grease.
Use a good steel scraper or spatula several times a day, as necessary, to keep the cutting surface clean and sanitary. Scraping the surface will remove 75% of the liquids. Do not use a steel brush on the cutting surface.
With a clean cloth and mild soap and water solution, wipe the top thoroughly until all the debris is removed.
Wash out the cloth in clean warm water, wring out, and go over the surface again to remove any remaining soap.
Thoroughly wipe all surfaces with a clean dry towel. Allow residual surface moisture to air dry before reapplying Boos Block® Mystery Oil.
CAUTION
• DO NOT allow fresh, wet meats and liquids of any type to stand on the countertop surface for long periods of time. Brine, water, and blood, contain liquids that soak into the wood, causing the countertop surface to expand, the wood to soften, and affects the strength of the glued joints.
• DO NOT cut fish or poultry on the countertop surface unless you have thoroughly followed the care instructions in step #1. The moisture barrier must be intact prior to cutting any type of fish, seafood, or poultry on the countertop surface. ALWAYS CLEAN THE COUNTERTOP SURFACE THOROUGHLY AFTER CUTTING FISH OR POULTRY.
• DO NOT use a razor-edged cleaver or serrated knife. These may chip or splinter the wood and produce soft spots.
• DO NOT wash your countertop with harsh detergents of any type. Harsh chemical cleaners may result in permanent damage and discoloration to the surface.
• DO NOT place countertops near excessive heat (such as a stove) without proper insulation between the heat source and the edge of the surface.
• DO NOT over oil your wood surface.
Kitchen Countertops: Varnique Finish
CARE & MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS
Varnique is a beautiful semi-gloss finish. To clean spills or soiled areas, use a clean damp cloth to wipe the surface, then thoroughly wipe all surfaces with a clean dry towel. Please note that any spills should be cleaned up immediately. Excessive moisture or mildly acidic liquids that are allowed to stand on the surface can cause damage to the finish.
Periodically, you should apply a coat of spray wax, paste wax, or lemon oil to the finished surface. This will enhance and protect the finish and ensure that a moisture barrier is intact in the event that the finish becomes scratched or worn.
Minor scratches can be repaired by rubbing the affected area with fine steel wool or fine grit (#200) sandpaper. Remember, when rubbing or sanding, always sand with the grain. If the area needing repaired is located along the edges, lightly sand the edges into the surrounding area. Remove all dust and apply a coat of any type of clear lacquer finish. The entire surface of the top will have to be refinished or the repair will be visible. Clear lacquer can be purchased at most paint or hardware stores. Small cans of matching touch up stain can be mixed and matched at most paint stores. Always follow the manufacturer’s directions on the product label when refinishing.
If there are major scratches and gouges where large portions of wood have been removed or damaged, the repair should be handled by an experienced professional in furniture repair that is furnished with the appropriate tools and equipment.
DO NOT cut on or into a varnique finished countertop. Cuts in the finish should be resealed immediately to prevent the exposed wood from absorbing moisture. Varnique finishes can be spot sanded and finished with John Boos EZ-DO wipe-on poly gel.
Wood Worktops Oil Finish
CARE & MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS
A minimum of once a month (depending upon the use and household conditions), apply an even coat of Boos Block® Mystery Oil to all surfaces of your worktop using a clean cloth, disposable towel or Boos Block®️ applicator. The more often it is cleaned, the more often it should be oiled. A dry appearance is a sure sign it is time to oil your wood surface. Make sure the worktop surface is free from any food debris, dirt, oil, or grease before applying Mystery Oil.
Allow the Mystery Oil to fully penetrate through the wood fibers overnight, then wipe off any excess oil. Apply additional oil to any visible dry spots or for any other necessary reasons. Do not over oil your wood surface.
For additional protection, it is recommended to use Boos Block® Board Cream to seal the wood surface in conjunction with the Mystery Oil. Apply an even coat of the Board Cream using a clean cloth, disposable towel or Boos Block® applicator. Allow the Board Cream to penetrate the wood surface overnight, then wipe off any excess cream.
• Boos Block® Mystery Oil is a food-grade oil that easily absorbs and penetrates deeply into the grain of the wood to help protect, revitalize and moisturize the wood fibers.
• Boos Block® Board Cream contains a natural, unbleached beeswax and food-grade oil formula. The thicker formula provides a silky wax barrier to the wood surface to help protect against foods and liquids.
Maintain the same bevel on the edge of your worktop as it had when purchased. This helps prevent splitting or chipping on the outside of the worktop.
Be sure NEVER to cut continuously on the same surface area. Distribute your cutting over the entire work surface so that it will wear evenly.
Minor scratches can be repaired by sanding the affected area with a fine grit (#200) sandpaper. When sanding, always sand with the grain. If the area needing repaired is located along the edges, lightly sand the edges into the surrounding area. Remove all dust.
CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS
Make sure the worktop surface is free from any food debris, dirt, oil, or grease.
Use a good steel scraper or spatula several times a day, as necessary, to keep the cutting surface clean and sanitary. Scraping the surfaces will remove 75% of the liquids. Do not use a steel brush on the cutting surface.
With a clean cloth and mild soap and water solution, wipe the top thoroughly until all the debris is removed.
Wash out the cloth in clean warm water, wring out, and go over the surface again to remove any remaining soap.
Thoroughly wipe all surfaces with a clean dry towel. Allow residual surface moisture to air dry before reapplying Boos Block® Mystery Oil.
CAUTION
• DO NOT allow fresh, wet meats and liquids of any type to stand on the worktop surface for long periods of time. Brine, water, and blood, contain liquids that soak into the wood, causing the worktop surface to expand, the wood to soften, and affects the strength of the glued joints.
• DO NOT cut fish or poultry on the worktop surface unless you have thoroughly followed the care instructions in step #1. The moisture barrier must be intact prior to cutting any type of fish, seafood, or poultry on the worktop surface. ALWAYS CLEAN THE WORKTOP SURFACE THOROUGHLY AFTER CUTTING FISH OR POULTRY.
• DO NOT use a razor-edged cleaver or serrated knife. These may chip or splinter the wood and produce soft spots.
• DO NOT wash your worktop with harsh detergents of any type. Harsh chemical cleaners may result in permanent damage and discoloration to the surface.
• DO NOT place worktops near excessive heat (such as a stove) without proper insulation between the heat source and the edge of the surface.
• DO NOT over oil your wood surface.
Wood Worktops Varnique Finish
CARE & MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS
Varnique is a beautiful semi-gloss finish. To clean spills or soiled areas, use a clean damp cloth to wipe the surface, then thoroughly wipe all surfaces with a clean dry towel. Please note that any spills should be cleaned up immediately. Excessive moisture or mildly acidic liquids that are allowed to stand on the surface can cause damage to the finish.
Periodically, you should apply a coat of spray wax, paste wax, or lemon oil to the finished surface. This will enhance and protect the finish and ensure that a moisture barrier is intact in the event that the finish becomes scratched or worn.
Minor scratches can be easily repaired by rubbing the affected area with fine steel wool or fine grit (#200) sandpaper. Remember, when rubbing or sanding, always sand with the grain. If the area needing repaired is located along the edges, lightly sand the edges into the surrounding area. Remove all dust and apply a coat of any type of clear lacquer finish. The entire surface of the top will have to be refinished or the repair will be visible. Clear lacquer can be purchased at most paint or hardware stores. Small cans of matching touch up stain can be mixed and matched at most paint stores. Always follow the manufacturer’s directions on the product label when refinishing.
If there are major scratches and gouges where large portions of wood have been removed or damaged, the repair should be handled by an experienced professional in furniture repair that is furnished with the appropriate tools and equipment.
DO NOT cut on or into a varnique finished wood worktop. Cuts in the finish should be resealed immediately to prevent the exposed wood from absorbing moisture. Varnique finishes can be spot sanded and finished with John Boos EZ-DO wipe-on poly gel.
Have a question about caring for your Boos Block countertops?
Visit our Customer Service page to fill out a customer request form and a member of our team will be in touch.