How to Care for a Wooden Cutting Board?

Key Takeaways

Here are the basics of bamboo and wooden cutting board care:

• Never put a wooden cutting board in the dishwasher. Wash both sides of your cutting board by hand with warm water, mild dish soap, and a sponge or scrubbing brush. 
• After washing, dry your cutting board thoroughly with a towel or paper towel. Stand it upright so it can completely air dry on all sides.
• Condition with food-grade mineral oil whenever it feels dry, typically once a month. Never use cooking oil.
• For added protection, occasionally apply a natural, food-safe wax, such as beeswax, carnauba wax, or a pre-mixed board wax.
• To deep-clean and remove odors, scrub the board with kosher salt (or baking soda) and half of a lemon.

Curious about how to care for a wooden cutting board? The experts at Palmetto Wood Shop are here with comprehensive bamboo and wood cutting board care instructions to keep your new kitchen keepsake in tip-top condition for years to come. Let’s dive right in!

1. Never Use a Dishwasher

The number one rule of wooden cutting board care is to never use a dishwasher, even if it’s caked in stubborn grime. The high heat, harsh chemicals, and constant blasting water can and will cause significant damage. 

2. Wash by Hand

Never soak your cutting board. Use warm water, mild dish soap, and a standard dish sponge or nylon scrubbing brush to clean it. Clean all sides, not just the front!

Equally as important as how to care for a wooden cutting board is how not to care for it! Never use steel wool or other abrasive scouring pads, as they can damage the wood’s fibers.

3. Dry Thoroughly

Prolonged exposure to moisture can cause mold and bacteria to accumulate, soften the wood’s fibers, and weaken the glue that holds pieces together. 

As soon as you’re done washing or rinsing your cutting board, use a kitchen towel or paper towel to wipe it dry. When you’re done, put the cutting board in an upright position so it can air dry evenly on all sides.

4. Condition With Oil

Oiling is a significant part of how to care for a wooden cutting board, but this important step often goes overlooked or ignored. Regular use and washes will eventually strip the wood’s natural oils, leaving the cutting board dry, brittle, porous, and prone to breaking.

Apply food-grade mineral oil every month or whenever the cutting board looks dry or pale. Never use cooking oils for this wooden cutting board care, as their fats will eventually spoil and turn rancid.

Follow these wood cutting board care instructions:

1. Wait 24 Hours After Washing: The cutting board must be completely dry inside and out before applying oil. Otherwise, moisture gets locked inside the cutting board and causes it to rot.
2. Apply the Oil: Everyone has their preferences for how to care for a wooden cutting board. You can pour food-grade mineral oil directly onto the surface of the cutting board or apply it to a paper towel or microfiber cloth.
3. Work the Oil into the Wood: Using circular motions, massage the oil into the wood. Be sure to hit the back and sides, too!
4. Wait: Let the oil sit for at least a few hours, preferably overnight. 
5. Remove Excess Oil: Use a clean, dry cloth to remove any residual oil.

5. Wax for Extra Protection

While oiling your cutting board should provide adequate protection, you may want to wax it after oiling to create a stronger barrier against moisture. 

Here’s how to care for a wooden cutting board by applying wax after oiling:

1. Remove Residual Oil: Make sure all oil has been removed.
2. Choose the Right Wax: Use a natural, food-safe wax. Beeswax, carnauba wax, and purpose-designed, pre-mixed board wax are all great options.
3. Apply the Wax: Use a cloth or paper towel to work the wax into the wood. Apply firm pressure and use circular motions.
4. Wait: Wait at least 30 minutes, or longer depending on the product’s instructions.
5. Buff: Use a clean, dry cloth to buff the cutting board until the wax is absorbed and the wood is no longer sticky. The board should have a rich shine.

6. Deep-Clean & Deodorize

Even if you follow these wooden cutting board care instructions, pungent ingredients can cause lingering odors. 

Here’s how to care for a wooden cutting board with an unpleasant scent or exceptionally stubborn grime:

1. Apply Kosher Salt: Sprinkle a generous amount of kosher salt onto the cutting board’s surface. Baking soda will work in a pinch!
2. Slice a Lemon: Cut a lemon in half.
3. Scrub the Board: Use the lemon just like a sponge to scrub the salt into the board. The abrasive particles will scour away odor-causing grime.
4. Wait: Let the lemon juice and salt sit for 10 minutes.
5. Rinse and Dry: Rinse away the lemon juice and salt. Dry the cutting board thoroughly.

Personalize a High-Quality Cutting Board

A custom cutting board is the perfect gift for the chef or home cook in your life. Personalize yours now, and get in touch. If you have any questions about how to care for a wooden cutting board.

Here at Palmetto Wood Shop, we have all sorts of other customizable gifts, including pocket knives, ammo cans, drinkware, hammers, wallets, and more. Shop now!