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Cutting Board Care & Maintenance

What to do for the first three days

Upon receiving your new board, as difficult as it may be, allow it to acclimate to its new environment. How do we do this? Leave it out on your counter for three days and during this time apply wood conditioner (a free 2oz. sample is included with your purchase) to all the surfaces of the board (the top, bottom, and sides). Allow the conditioner to absorb into the wood for 15-20 minutes and then wipe away any residual product with a clean cloth or paper towel. Do this daily for the first three days.


Do's and Don'ts

Once your cutting board has been conditioned and acclimated to your home, follow these guidelines to ensure your board will give you many years of use:

  • NEVER store in direct sunlight, expose to direct heat, or store near a heat source.
  • NEVER submerge in water.
  • NEVER clean in a dishwasher.
  • NEVER allow meat (beef, poultry, fish, etc.) juices to sit on board for an extended period of time.
  • NEVER place in microwave.
  • NEVER store in drawer or cabinet wet, allow it to dry first before putting away.
  • NEVER use a vegetable or nut based oil to condition your board.

    • After all that, what can you do? USE IT!!! It's a cutting board.

    The primary care for your new board is to keep it well conditioned/oiled. By conditioning the board you prevent it from drying out, repel moisture, and prevent SOME staining. 

    • DO keep it well oiled, we don't want it to dry out, so oil the board at least two to three times a week for the first month and then whenever you think it needs it (which should be more often than not). 
    • Always hand wash with warm soapy water, rinse, and dry thoroughly after each use.


    Deeper Cleaning

    • Vinegar is an excellent disinfectant, use only white vinegar. Have a small spray bottle of white vinegar handy to spray the board with, allow it to sit for a few minutes. then wipe off.
    • Stains will develop over time as you use the board and that is okay; but, if those stains begin to bother you, you can try this method to help remove them. You will need baking soda and a lemon. Sprinkle the board with baking soda, quarter the lemon, and now scrub the baking soda into the board with the lemon. Rinse the board and dry thoroughly.


    Revitalize/Restore

    You have been using your board now for several years and it's starting to look worn or you just want that "new" look back...DON'T THROW IT OUT!

    What you will need:

    • Orbital sander, hand sanding not recommended.
    • The sanding disks needed are 80, 150, and 220.
    • Food grade mineral oil
    • Conditioner 
    Starting with the 80 grit paper start sanding until you are satisfied with the look of the board, then move on with the other two (150 next, then 220). Wipe off any dust and liberally apply food grade mineral oil. Once it has soaked in apply more mineral oil, do this at least 4-5 more times. Let it set over night and apply 2-3 coats of conditioner. Remember, you now have a "new" board; follow the instructions above and you will continue to get many years of service from your board.