do you wash big pans in the sink and flood the top with water; is there always water left lying on the worktop after you use the sink, particularly on that little strip behind the sink?
If not, you have passed the clarty test and may proceed with wood. comments about taniny woods and ferric metals are quite correct. Oxalic acid does remove stains, but goes through your skin into your bloodstream if you don't wear gloves.
Osmo Topoil is the one product that actually repells water for any length of time; always treat the underside as well before fitting tops.
If however you are clarty about the sink, then have a look at Minerelle, which is Corian onto a chipboard core, very practical but about £200/linear metre and a couple of days to fit. can be sanded, sealed and polished like wood but looks like stone.
Yacht varnish is shocking on timber and does not do what it says on the tin...it's not breathable, so it will just peel off!
Osmo Topoil is the one product that actually repells water for any length of time
Yep, water/wine/curry just beads on the worksurface and can be wiped off. No worries.
In fact we don't even bother wiping up water most of the time and it doesn't leave a mark when it dries.
Why are people always thinking Wood, Laminate or Granite? There is also Glass, Glass composite, polished Concrete and Acrylic all of which are good alternatives and offer zero or little maintenance.
There's that stuff...Formica I think they call it...wonder material.
