**Information Provided Courtesy of John Boos & Co., Home Styles Furniture, and Catskill Craftmen, Inc.

The care and upkeep of your kitchen cart is extremely important to its lifespan. Proper maintenance can dramatically increase the life of your kitchen cart or island and improve the overall appearance of your kitchen. The most troublesome area on many carts is the counter top. Each type of countertop requires different methods and materials for cleaning. However, all countertops of your kitchen cart should be wiped down with a wet cloth after each use; take extra consideration when cleaning up meat and poultry to avoid food poisoning. The following care and cleaning tips can help ensure that your kitchen cart is both sanitary and looks great.

Stainless Steel Countertops

Stainless steel is durable, and can be long lasting, if proper care and maintenance is provided.

DO:

• Keep table clean.
• Keep the shelves and legs clean to assist in the deterring of bacterial growth.
• It is recommended that Dow Fantastic or Glass Plus be used with a paper towel when cleaning stainless.
• Remove scratches with a Brillo pad and move it down surface, with the grain.
• Remove smudges or streaks using vinegar mixed with water, applied with a soft cloth.

DON'T:

• Allow liquids to stand on stainless for prolonged periods.
• Allow food particles, dirt, or other foreign matter to stay in contact with stainless for prolonged periods.
• Chlorine bleach should not be used to clean the stainless surfaces. If chlorine bleach is used, it must be thoroughly rinsed off immediately with water.
• Use an abrasive cleaner! This will scratch the surface of the metal.

Granite Countertops

This surface is perfect for rolling dough or preparing pastries. Hot dishes or toasters won't leave burn marks and its nonporous surface doesn't harbor bacteria.

DO:

• Clean granite surface with a few drops of neutral cleaner, stone soap, or a mild dishwashing detergent mixed with warm water.
• Use a clean rag for best results.
• Rinse the counter after washing with soap using a dry soft cloth.
• Blot up spills immediately.
• Dust frequently.

DON'T:

• Use too much soap or cleaner; it will leave streaks and look filmy.
• Use vinegar, lemon juice, or other cleaners containing acids (such as tile cleaners, or bathroom cleaners); this will etch the surface.
• Use abrasive cleaners such as dry cleansers or soft cleaners.
• Use scouring powders or creams, as these are also abrasive.

Wood / Butcher Block Countertops

The most popular countertop, because of its price and classic look, wood countertops may require the most care. The difference between a wood countertop and a butcher block countertop is the thickness of the wood. On our website, we define butcher blocks to be at least 1.5" thick.

Many of our kitchen carts are made of real wood and thus should be treated with sealant to avoid water damage. However, some of our kitchen carts have laminates or veneers that will keep water from penetrating the surface.
Butcher Block Tops

DO:

• Periodically (once every several weeks, depending upon the use and household conditions), apply an even coat of mineral oil (such as Boos Mystery Oil) to the work surface of your butcher block. Sponge on with a rag.
• Apply oil in direction of wood grain, to both surface and edge, allowing it to soak in for a few minutes before removing any residue with a clean, dry cloth.
• At the conclusion of a day's work preparing meat or food on your butcher block, scraping the block will remove 75% of the moisture. After scraping, immediately dry thoroughly with an absorbent towel. This assures an odorless, clean cutting surface for the next day, and prevents premature quick deterioration of the work surface.
• Use a good steel scraper or spatula several times a day, as necessary, to keep the cutting surface clean and sanitary. Do not use a steel brush on the cutting surface of your block.
• Fill in cracks with an appropriate wood filler, to deter crumbs and food from gathering.
• Maintain the same bevel on the edge of your block, as it had when you bought it. This prevents splitting or chipping of outside boards.
• Butcher blocks or cutting boards, if possible, should be turned over periodically to allow even usage to both work surfaces.

DON'T:

• Repeatedly clean the butcher block, as this can erode the oiled finish.
• Use linseed or tung oils as they can become toxic.
• Use polyurethane or varnish as these make it more difficult to maintain or repair the surface.
• Allow moisture of any type to stand on the block for long periods of time. Don't let fresh, wet meats lay on the block longer than necessary.
• Brine, water and blood contain much moisture, which soaks into the wood, causing the block to expand, the wood to soften, and affects the strength, of the glued joints.
• Cut fish or fowl on the work surface of your butcher block, unless you have thoroughly followed the instructions in step #1...as the moisture barrier must be intact prior to cutting any type of fish, seafood, or fowl on the work surface of your butcher block. ALWAYS CLEAN THE BLOCK THOROUGHLY AFTER CUTTING FISH OR FOWL ON THE WORK SURFACE.
• Cut continuously in the same place on the top of your block. Distribute your cutting over the entire work surface so that it will wear evenly.
• Use a razor-edged cleaver. It will chip or splinter the wood and produce soft spots. Your cleaver should have dull sharpened edge for best results.
• Wash your block with harsh detergents of any type. DON'T wash your butcher's tools on your block.

Harwood Countertops

DO:

Use a soft cloth moistened with lemon oil polish or lukewarm soapy water

Buff dry with a clean cloth

Fill in cracks with an appropriate wood filler, to deter crumbs and food from gathering in cracks

DON'T:

• Use glass cleaners, as the ammonia with chemically attack the laquer
• Use commercial waxes and polishes; these may yellow the surface
• Allow liquids to remain in route lines or grooves. This will cause the wood to warp and the finish to de-laminate
• Write directly on the surface
• Place in direct sunlight, which causes fading to the finish
• Place hot kettles, pots, etc on surface, as they may leave marks
• Do not use rubber-based placemats; these can discolor the surface

Tile Countertops

A very popular surface for kitchen island, tile is fairly easy to clean but can be a little tricky. Like granite, tile will not burn when you place a hot pan upon it.

To clean tile, simply wipe with a damp cloth or sponge. For stains or sticky areas, use a tile cleaner with cloth. The grout is the most difficult part of a tile counter to keep clean. Its gritty, porous nature makes cleaning a little more time consuming. For cleaning the grout between the tiles, use a toothbrush and tile cleaner. If the grout has become stained, you can use bleach with the toothbrush to get the grout looking brighter and newer.