A deep, rich hardwood renowned for making a striking addition to any room it is put into, walnut is making its mark in kitchens around the globe.
And why wouldn’t it be? It is more visually appealing than other types of common woods, and if treated a specific way once the wood is cut, it can create a variety of hues from red to purple! Not only that, but it is naturally stain-resistant and antibacterial, making a walnut worktop UK a perfect addition to your home.
But due to its darker colouring, many people fret over how to keep their new walnut worktop looking its very best. Here is a brief guide to help you keep your walnut looking regal for as long as possible.
Place mats
As odd as it may seem when caring for a piece of hardwood furniture (especially in a kitchen), and when it comes to looking after your walnut worktop, you will need to invest in some placemats.
Not so much for concerns relating to scorching, but because like all wood, walnut wood can be scratched and as the interior and exterior of the wood are so different in colour, it is more likely to show up. Scratches to walnut look yellow and against the beautiful, chocolate hues of the wood, this is very visible.
Dusting!
When it comes to keeping this wood shiny, it is best to polish it once a week with a gentle, wood appropriate polish. Try to refrain from scrubbing this wood, as it may scratch the surface and cause those unsightly yellow streaks.
And as odd as it sounds to dust a piece of furniture in a kitchen, it will help to keep the wood looking shiny and debris free. Aim to use a microfibre tack cloth when dusting to avoid any micro-scratches from forming.
Spillages
Walnut wood does and will stain if it is not treated and maintained correctly, so aim to avoid allowing spills to go unwiped from its surface.
Wipe all spills as and when they occur and ensure that the wood is sealed properly to prevent any long-term damage to the finish.
Watermarks
Unlike other woods like oak, watermarks on walnut wood are more visible; in fact, they look white!
Contrasted with the darker wood, this can be off-putting and make the wood look old or worse, mouldy! If a watermark does not budge with some gentle wiping, then submerge a piece of cheesecloth into hot water and ring it out. Using a household approved ammonia (check the label!), dampen the area and gently rub with the cheesecloth until the marks disappear. Once you have dried the area, seal it with linseed or Danish oil to prevent future marks from occurring.
Polish
Protect the surface of the wood with a kitchen safe furniture wax, or a silicone-based polish.
Ensure that the polish is kitchen safe and can be used on walnut wood to prevent reaction problems or issues with staining. This will keep your worktop looking tiptop for longer!
