Give your wooden board a second chance

How to take care of a wooden cutting board?

Some may think that a wooden cutting board requires no maintenance, but it's just the opposite, it needs love and care. You don't have to do it every day, but you should make time for it whenever the board is dry or disturbed. It depends on how often you use it and what you cut on it. To treat the board properly, we need two things besides water and a lint-free cloth: Mineral oil + Beeswax and mineral oil cream

Step 1: Wash the board
Wash the board thoroughly with water (you can also use detergent, preferably eco), including the underside and the edges. Remove anything stuck to it with a rag or sponge. Most people only wash the top and this damages the board. When moisture reacts with the wood, it swells and if the swelling is not even, it can warp the board. Then wipe the board down and let it dry thoroughly overnight. Stand it on edge with both large surfaces facing out.

Step 2: Apply Oil
The next morning, use your hands to apply a generous coat of mineral oil to the sides, top, bottom, and all the grooves. You don't need puddles of oil on the surface, just make sure you cover the wood with an even layer. The wood board needs hydration from the inside as well, so let the oil soak in for at least three hours.

Step 3: Spread the cream
When the oil has had enough time to soak into the pores, you need to apply the cream. Apply it directly to the wood and spread it all over the board. Be sure to get into every nook and cranny. You can also apply the cream with a microfiber cloth, as it is quite greasy. Once you've covered the entire area, you've created a barrier that helps the wood retain moisture. When you're done, let the board dry until the next morning in the same position as before.

Step 4: Polish the board
In the morning, use a lint-free microfiber cloth to rub the board in a circular motion to buff it. The wood will be beautiful and the board will be as good as new.

With proper maintenance, a cutting board could last you a lifetime. With this cleaning process, the wood should look great for decades.

If deep cuts start to appear on the surface of the wood, you can sand them down by using sandpaper to remove the top layer over the entire surface of the board. You have to sand evenly, which takes time but can give the board a whole new life. Don't forget to treat the wooden board with oil and cream afterwards. If you take good care of your board, it will take good care of you.

Please never put a wooden board in the dishwasher!