- 1). Wash the countertops with hot water and an all-purpose household cleaner, or degreasing dish soap. Pay particular attention to the edging. Remove any grease, dirt or other material from the wood's surface.
- 2). Sand the countertop edges. Do this by hand, or with a small handheld sander or sanding block. Start with 100-grit sandpaper to strip the finish, and then smooth the wood’s surface with 200-grit sandpaper.
- 3). Wiping the counters with a damp cloth removes the dust. Allow the countertop to dry. Mix the stain according to the manufacturer's instructions.
- 4). Bunch up a clean cloth in your hand and dip a small area into the wood stain. Give the stain about 10 seconds to absorb into the fabric. Wipe the stain into the wood, working with the grain. Dip the cloth back into the stain as necessary. Spread the stain as thinly as possible.
- 5). Let the stain dry. If desired or necessary, add more stain coats. Apply the same wood sealer that was previously used on the countertop. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for mixing, applying and drying the sealer.
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