Oil a wooden worktop

Clean, lightly sand, then apply several coats of oil to feed and protect a wooden worktop.

OWT-01Clear and clean the worktopRemove everything from the worktop, including the kettle and toaster. Wash the surface with warm water and washing-up liquid to shift grease, then dry it fully with a clean towel. Any grease left on the wood will stop the oil soaking in evenly.

1 bottle · Washing-up liquid

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2 each · Clean cloths

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OWT-02Sand the surfaceIf the worktop is new or bare, sand it with 120-180 grit sandpaper, working with the grain, to open up the wood for the oil. If it has been oiled before, a light scuff with 240 grit is enough to key the surface. Always sand in the direction of the wood grain, never across it.

2 sheet · Sandpaper 120-180 grit

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2 sheet · Sandpaper 240 grit

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OWT-03Remove all dustWipe the whole worktop with a dry cloth, then a slightly damp one, to lift all sanding dust. Let it dry fully before moving on. Any dust left behind will get trapped under the oil and show as tiny bumps.

1 each · Tack cloth or lint-free cloth

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OWT-04Protect the room and ventilateMask off any areas where the worktop meets a tiled splashback, a hob, or a sink, so oil doesn't drip onto them. Open a window, as worktop oils have a strong smell while they cure. Wear gloves, since oil is hard to get off skin.

1 roll · Masking tape

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1 pair · Disposable gloves

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OWT-05Apply the first coatPour a small amount of worktop oil onto a lint-free cloth or use a brush, and spread it generously over the surface, working with the grain. Cover the edges and any cut-outs around the sink or hob, as these soak up water and need oil most. Leave it to soak into the wood for 10-15 minutes.

1 500ml tin · Worktop oil (Danish or teak oil)

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2 each · Lint-free application cloth

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OWT-06Wipe off the excessUsing a clean, dry cloth, wipe the entire surface firmly to remove any oil that hasn't soaked in. Leaving excess oil on top will make the worktop feel sticky and tacky once it dries. Check the edges and around any joints, as oil pools there.

3 each · Clean dry cloths

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OWT-07Leave to dry, then apply further coatsLeave the worktop for the time stated on the oil tin, usually 4-6 hours, before touching it. Apply a second coat the same way: spread it on, let it soak, then wipe off the excess. Most worktops need 2-3 coats in total to be properly protected, especially around the sink.

1 as needed from tin · Worktop oil (Danish or teak oil)

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OWT-08Let the final coat cureAfter the last coat, avoid using the worktop for at least 24 hours. Keep it dry and free of standing water for a few days, as the oil takes about a week to fully cure and harden. Put your kettle and other items back once it's no longer tacky to the touch.

OWT-09Dispose of oily rags safely and clean upOil-soaked rags can heat up and catch fire on their own if left crumpled in a bin. Lay them flat outside to dry fully, or soak them in a metal container of water, then dispose of them in an outside bin, never indoors. Wash brushes with warm soapy water if you used a water-based product, or the solvent stated on the tin for oil-based ones.

1 each · Metal container with lid

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