How to Care for your Cutting Board?

Treating cutting boards with care will allow for years of chopping, cutting and slicing pleasure.

1. After normal use the board can be cleaned with a damp sponge. Never hold the board under water for extended periods of time.

2. Periodically (once every several weeks, depending upon the use and household conditions), apply an even coat of food grade mineral oil or our Natural Beeswax Mineral Oil mixture to the work surface of your cutting board. Apply a liberal coat and allow it to soak overnight. Then wipe off the excess. Note: This process helps to minimize the effects that extreme humidity and dryness can have on wood products.

3. DO NOT allow moisture of any type to stand on the block for long periods of time. Don't let fresh, wet meats lay on the block longer than necessary. Brine, water and blood contain moisture, which soaks into the wood, causing the block to expand, the wood to soften, and affects the strength, of the glued joints.

4. For difficult to remove material use a steel scrapper or spatula. Do not use a wire brush
5. NEVER wash your block with harsh detergents of any type.
Note: Butcher Block cutting boards are not dishwasher compatible.
NEVER submerge cutting boards in a sink of water! Wood is porous and will soak up water causing the cutting board to crack when it dries.

Other tips:
To eliminate garlic, onion, fish, or other smells from your cutting board:

Coarse salt or baking soda - Rub the board with course salt or baking soda. Let stand a few minutes and wipe salt or baking soda from board, and then rinse. You may need to re-season after rinsing your cutting board/chopping block.

Lemon - Another very easy technique is to rub fresh lemon juice or rub a cut lemon over the surface of the cutting board to neutralize onion and garlic odors. You may need to re-season after rinsing your cutting board/chopping block.

Vinegar - To disinfect and clean your wood cutting boards or butcher block countertop, wipe them with full-strength white vinegar after each use. Vinegar is especially good for people with chemical allergies. Keep a spray bottle of undiluted vinegar handy for easy cleaning and sanitizing.

   
Click here to read an article that shares interesting research results on the safety advantages of wooden cutting boards.