Kitchen design has become big business in recent years with more and more people opting for a natural country cottage look, with real wood kitchen worktop surfaces and Belfast Sinks over more modern designs.
Although real wood worktops provide a level of class to any kitchen, traditional or modern, they do require care to keep them water repellent, stain resistant and looking their best.
A common issue with real wood surfaces is that if left untreated, water can penetrate into the grain, eventfully leading to water stains and damage. This can eventually lead to the wood turning black requiring treatment with a Barrettine Mould and Mildew Cleaner before resealing. It’s therefore important that they are cared for from new and maintained on a regular basis.
With a wide range of oil and wax products on the market, it can be difficult to decide which is best and offers a good all round level of protection. One of the market leaders is Osmo Top Oil 3058, an inexpensive oil that provides a matt finish designed to enhance the natural beauty of the wood whilst offering an excellent level of protection.
Based on natural waxes and oils, Osmo Top Oil does not peel, flake, crack or blister allowing for good performance in high humidity areas. It’s a hard wearing oil with excellent resistance against water, juices, wine, beer and fizzy drinks.
An advantage of Osmo Top Oil over a work surface that has been varnished is that should the oiled surface get scuffed, lightly scratched or marked, it’s both quick and easy to repair without leaving any sign that it has been.
As with any type of wooden surface, taking a proactive approach to protection and maintenance is the preferred option as this prevents the need to resort to sanding and the use of other products to repair water related damage.
