• Contact Kim
  • Stay Connected
  • Shop Printables
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

Salvaged Living

Easy DIY home decor and craft projects for budget home decor

  • Home
  • Meet Kim
    • About KIM
    • Get Kim’s Look
    • Kim’s Bookshelf
    • Kim’s Home Tour
    • Get The House Look
    • Disclosures
  • DIY Projects
  • Faith
  • Home Decor
  • Grow Your Creative Business
    • Grow Your Creative Business Course
    • One on One Business Consulting
  • Classes
Home » Lifestyle » Wood Cutting Board Care

Lifestyle

Wood Cutting Board Care

Wood Cutting Board CareInstructions on how to care for your wood cutting board, old or new. The easiest way to sanitize and remove stains from your cutting board or butcher block.

Wood cutting boards are one of the most versatile kitchen tools you can have. They are great for chopping meats, fruits, and veggies and they also make beautiful serving platters for cheeses, meats, and breads. A wood cutting board, properly maintained, can last a lifetime!

I’ve been asked about how to take care of wood cutting boards and I honestly didn’t really know, so I called in an expert! My friend and fellow junk lover Robbie. She owns The Birch Tree and makes the most stunning wood cutting boards with her dad from wood off their family farm in Central Texas. She knows a thing or two about wood, so here is what she had to say about taking care of a wood cutting board, old or new! Let me know if you have any questions and I will be sure she chimes in with an answer for you. Please go visit her etsy store The Birch Tree Online. These original, one of a kind pieces would be a great birthday gift, Father’s day present or just to treat yourself to a beautiful kitchen addition! Here is an untreated board:Instructions on how to care for your wood cutting board, old or new. The easiest way to sanitize and remove stains from your cutting board or butcher block.

This post contains affiliate links, should you make a purchase I might make a small commission, your price stays the same.

Washing a Wood Cutting Board:

NEVER soak a wooden cutting board in water or put it in the dishwasher! This can cause it to warp, split, and/or crack.

After you’re done slicing and dicing, take the cutting board to the sink and wash it down with hot water and soap. Be sure to wash all sides and edges. If you only wash the top of the board you can actually cause damage. Wood soaks up the water when you wash it and swells with the moisture. If you only wash one side, the wood will swell differently and can cause the board to warp. Dry the washed board immediately and stand it up so that air can circulate on all sides. Laying the board flat can trap moisture underneath the board and cause warping due to the uneven swelling of the wood.Instructions on how to care for your wood cutting board, old or new. The easiest way to sanitize and remove stains from your cutting board or butcher block.

With use, your cutting board may obtain some stains. There are a couple of ways to remove stubborn stains. Depending on your preference, sprinkle baking soda or kosher salt on the surface of the cutting board, then work it into the surface stains with a lemon or a gentle sponge or wash cloth. Rinse the board, dry it with a towel and stand it on end to dry completely.Instructions on how to care for your wood cutting board, old or new. The easiest way to sanitize and remove stains from your cutting board or butcher block.

Another blemish due to use are surface cuts in your cutting board. You can sand out deep cuts by taking sand paper to the entire surface of the board. Be sure to sand evenly and work from a lower grit to a higher grit of sandpaper, which takes time, but will give the board a whole new life. Wipe any excess sawdust with a clean white cloth. Make sure to start from the beginning of conditioning process after any sanding.

And always remember: No matter what cleaning method you use, dry the cutting boards with a clean towel and stand them up to dry completely. You don’t want to lay them down right away, as moisture can be trapped underneath.Instructions on how to care for your wood cutting board, old or new. The easiest way to sanitize and remove stains from your cutting board or butcher block.

Conditioning Your Cutting Board:

After your clean cutting board is completely dry, you will need to recondition the board to make it food-use ready. Use a clean white cloth to apply food-grade mineral oil to all surfaces of the cutting board. Allow the mineral oil to soak in. This may take a few applications. When the oil no longer soaks completely in, wipe the excess off with a clean white cloth. Leave the cutting board on its edge to dry completely just like after you wash it.Instructions on how to care for your wood cutting board, old or new. The easiest way to sanitize and remove stains from your cutting board or butcher block.

Once you have applied the mineral oil and it has dried, you will need to apply a conditioner. I use a beeswax and mineral oil combination conditioner. To apply, wipe the conditioner on with a clean white cloth and allow to soak in. Be sure to apply the conditioner to all surfaces of the cutting board. Place the board on its side as before and allow the conditioner to dry. After the conditioner has dried, grab a clean white cloth and buff the board. Buffing the cutting board will give it that gorgeous glassy look.Instructions on how to care for your wood cutting board, old or new. The easiest way to sanitize and remove stains from your cutting board or butcher block.

Theoretically, with the proper care, a wood cutting board could last a lifetime. If your cutting board does ever warp or crack, discontinue use and get a new one. There are so many varieties of wood cutting boards available. They are truly a piece of art and a versatile tool for your kitchen.Instructions on how to care for your wood cutting board, old or new. The easiest way to sanitize and remove stains from your cutting board or butcher block.

Be sure to save these handy tips for later and if you have a board in need you can order the supplies below.

Wood Cutting Board Cleaning Supplies:

The Birch Tree Online
Food Grade Mineral Oil
Butcher Block Conditioner
Sandpaper
You can also follow the Birch Tree on Facebook and Instagram to see the latest products she has available, look at the gorgeous raw edge board I have from her…Kitchen cubbies get a makeover into a built in plate rack filled with gorgeous goodies like white and wood. White plates, cutting boards and antique tea and coffe pots. This simple DIY will help you transform small shelves into functional display space.

Blessings, Kim from Hunt & HostConnect more here:

E-mail Subscription / Pinterest / Facebook / Instagram / Grow Your Creative Business


7 Comments

Stay connected

Don't miss out on the latest!

By being included in our newsletter delivery, you consent to receive new post updates and occasional promotional emails related to the Salvaged Living family. We promise not to over stuff your inbox!

Previous Post: « DIY Nest Art
Next Post: Rustic Boys Bedroom Ideas: Dollhouse Edition »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Marlene Stephenson says

    January 20, 2018 at 2:07 PM

    Thank you, i do wash them but didn’t know i needed to do anything else.

    Reply
  2. Lynnel in Florida says

    January 20, 2018 at 8:13 PM

    Love the tips- thank you!

    Reply
  3. BPS says

    January 21, 2018 at 4:19 AM

    Robbie knows her stuff! Our cutting board/griddle cover is beautiful! I can attest to the mineral oil and conditioner combo product. It works like a charm.

    Reply
  4. Julie Briones says

    January 22, 2018 at 3:10 PM

    SUPER helpful post, Kim! Thank you! I received a new board for Christmas, and it didn’t come with any prep instructions… weird, huh? Didn’t even say to oil it. I’m going to pin this post in order to have it available in the future!

    Reply
    • Kim at Hunt and Host says

      January 24, 2018 at 10:52 AM

      It was helpful for me, they never seem to come with instructions!!! Thanks for pinning, it always helps me too when you do! thank you friend

      Reply
  5. Miriam says

    February 5, 2020 at 8:59 PM

    Would the same technique work for butcher block counter tops?

    Reply
  6. Wild Wood says

    August 18, 2020 at 7:53 PM

    Awesome boards and great tips.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Hi! I'm Kim. I believe getting your hands dirty can be a way to get your heart clean. This blog is a decorating and DIY guide to seeing God in the details of your day, hobby and home. Read more...

Learn to grow a creative business with Kim from Salvaged Living!

Check these out:

  • DIY Projects
  • Faith
  • Home Decor
  • Lifestyle

Stay Connected

Don't miss out on the latest.

By being included in our newsletter delivery, you consent to receive new post updates and occasional promotional emails related to the Salvaged Living family. We promise not to over stuff your inbox!

Stay connected

Don't miss out on the latest.

Footer

You might also like

This beautiful old tea cart gets a sleek makeover into a rolling craft cart with an easy DIY tutorial!

Tea Cart To Craft Cart

DIY rustic napkin rings for Christmas table setting

How to Make Personalized Wood Napkin Rings

weathered union jack flag side table chalkpaint huntandhost.net

Side Table to English Memory: A Weathered Flag

This mid-century desk chair gets a powerful neutral makeover with fois bois fabric. www.huntandhost.net

Power In Neutral: Faux Bois fabric

Valentine's Day decor, Mardi Gras Ideas and easy winter recipes.

Easy Winter Projects

© Kim Jones and Salvaged Living, 2019. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Salvaged Living with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. Please only use one picture with a link back unless individual permission is given otherwise by Salvaged Living. Full disclosure here.

© 2021 Salvaged Living

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok