How to Maintain Your Cutting Board
Cleaning
Wash your cutting board with soap and warm water and scrub well. The volume of water and mechanical scrubbing is more important than soap in flushing bacteria and other food particles off the board. After washing the cutting board, dry immediately with a towel and let it air dry standing on edge or on a raised rack or stand. It’s important to have air flow to allow complete, even drying to prevent warping.
DO NOT:
- Put the board in the dishwasher. The heat and water will warp and splinter the wood. Only plastic, composite or glass boards can go into the dishwasher.
- Dunk or let the board stand in water. The wood will absorb water and potentially warp.
- Use bleach. This will stain the wood and/or excessively dry the wood.
- Put a wet board flat to dry. If the board dries on one side, it will cause the wood to warp.
If your board has stains or smells, you can use lemon juice or white vinegar directly on the area. The acid in these liquids will neutralize the organic material or fats causing the problem.
Conditioning
We recommend treating your cutting board frequently to protect the board from food and water. It’s best to condition the board at least once per month, and any time the board appears or feels dry. This is important to prevent drying, cracking, and warping. Before conditioning the board, ensure it is clean and completely dry.
This is the method we use to finish all our cutting boards, and we highly recommend it because it combines the penetrating qualities of mineral oil, sealing properties of beeswax and the shine and durability of carnauba.
Using a small cloth, rub the paste on the board until absorbed and let stand for 30 minutes. Using a clean cloth, buff in a circular motion until the finish is smooth.
Or
Mineral Oil
Apply the mineral oil with a clean cloth, spreading evenly across the board. Allow the oil to soak into the board overnight. Afterward, wipe the excess oil off using a dry cloth.
