Without knowing more about your newly acquired treasure its very difficult to guide you, but hear goes. Butcher blocks are meant to be sanded lightly and not to be finished (the food factor) its made of various woods to form one thick plank or just one type of wood made into a thick plank. What usually happens with bakers and butchers at the end of their day is a good dowsing of bleach maybe leave it on for a second or 2, just to clean it and kill any bacteria, then rinse and wipe/rub with linseed oil and maybe again if its kinda dry.
If your treasure has been finished then its not for the baker or butcher and its time to refinish. Your table is kinda old and might need other help ie rickety, wrapped etc. Time to make your treasure a treasureable heirloom. Repair refinish and restore.
Your local hardware store will help you with the stripper, again without knowing the type of wood or woods its kinda hard to guide you, but anything that's thick and that you don't have to leave on for long -20 min max, do another coat if you have to but do not scrape. Do not use a putty knife, it can leave nicks slashes and gouges which you probably have plenty of (which will leave great old character in the wood) then rinse (with a hose if possible after you wipe of the waste and old finish). Don't do the legs unless really grody. Its very time consuming and can take away from the character and age of the table/wood.
Sand lightly to bring back wood color, then bleach, little trick is to do the bleaching in the sun (don't leave wet to long, remember less is more) really brings out the color of the wood and rinse again, dry then refinish either with a water soluable poloycrylic or just linseed oil which will may need many coats/rubs.
A warning; do not use metal of any type. Your wood is old and maybe soft especially after stripping and cleaning dry thoroughly, sawdust like jo b said is cool and should even fill in any unseen cracks but no wire just use a fine sand paper (wet if possible) for your treasure. Send us a before and after picture, wood love to see it as a treasured heirloom. cyn
I just recently purchased a very old butcher block cart for $5. It was in very good condition structurally speaking but the top was in very poor condition loaded with stains & very soiled. I washed it with simple dish washing detergent & water & immediately dried it with a dry cloth. I then sanded it going with the grain until all of the stains were gone. I then took a new paint brush & painted olive oil on it. I let it dry & put a 2nd coat on & let it dry. I then buffed it with a cotton dry cloth. It came out beautiful & looks brand new. I sold it for $100. Good luck with yours.
I don't like where or how mineral oil is made, or where it comes from. I'd try high oleic safflower oil. It tends to last longer & doesn't seem to rot like other oils. It's great for cooking, as high heat doesn't cause it to be turned into trans fatty acids, which are very bad.
If it's going to be used to prepare food on you will have to be careful of what cleaners you'd use... I'd use Bleach (or bleach in water) to clean it, then give it a thin coating of Mineral Oil. (others may recommend olive oil, but mineral oil doesn't go rancid like vegetable oils do).
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Request: Cleaning an Old Butcher Block Wood Table (06/29/2009)
I just purchased an old (I am guessing at least 40 years) butcher block wood table. It is worn and very dirty around the edges. I would like to clean it.
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Request: Cleaning an Old Butcher Block Wood Table
Archived on 06/29/2009
I just purchased an old (I am guessing at least 40 years) butcher block wood table. It is worn and very dirty around the edges. I would like to clean it. I am afraid to sand it as I do not want to ruin the finish. Anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks. Ralphed
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RE: Clean Wood Table
I just got a old wooden butcher block table that my father made years ago and it had sat in a shed for years. I took warm water with Dawn Dish soap in it and scrubbed it with a medium bristle toothbrush. Mine cleaned up really well. After I let that dry good then I washed it with Murphy's oil soap. That brought out the shine of the cabinet. Hope this helps. Nan from
IA (05/27/2004)
By Nancy
RE: Clean Wood Table
"Real" butcher's blocks years ago used to be scrubbed, along the grain, with sawdust and a wire brush. The sawdust soaked up the blood and fat and the wire brush got all the residue out of the grain. The chopping followed by this scrubbing gave them the usual smooth curved hollow in the top. So if you want an "authentic" finish you could do this.
Regards.
Jo (05/27/2004)
Try bleach. Not only will it get stains out it will disinfect it too. If that doesn't work try some CLR bathroom cleaner. It took apple stains from my chopping block. (06/12/2004)
Go with the grain with a good steel bristle brush. Don't wet it. The ole blocks used to be maple, if your keen on sanding it go for it. Don't use any type of sealer or oil when done. If stained use a high grit with a belt sander with the grain. Take the advice from a butcher. (07/30/2007)
