Wood Care—How to Make Your Cutting Board Last a Long Time
Proper care is absolutely essential to ensure that high-quality wooden cutting boards last a long time. A cutting board is a practical item, and if you use it often, you’ll start to see signs of wear over time—scratches, nicks, and discoloration are the most common signs of wear on cutting boards. But don’t worry: I’ll show you how to make caring for your wooden cutting board a breeze and what you need to keep in mind.
How should you care for a wooden cutting board?
There are three important steps to caring for a cutting board: cleaning, sanding, and oiling. Thorough cleaning is essential after every use to ensure your cutting board lasts a long time. You should also re-oil your cutting board at regular intervals. This protects the surface, prevents staining and discoloration, and is an integral part of caring for a wooden cutting board.
How do I properly clean a wooden cutting board?
There are three important steps to caring for a cutting board: cleaning, sanding, and oiling. Thorough cleaning is essential after every use to ensure your cutting board lasts a long time. You should also re-oil your cutting board at regular intervals. This protects the surface, prevents staining and discoloration, and is an integral part of caring for a wooden cutting board.
How to Oil Your Cutting Board
Before you get started, you should first check the surface of the board for scratches and other damage. If necessary, you can sand the wood —either by hand (always working in the direction of the grain) or using a sander (work evenly to avoid creating dents). Start with a coarse grit (e.g., 80) and then finish sanding with a 180 or 240 grit. The smoother the surface is in the end, the less moisture can penetrate it. Carefully remove the dust with a cloth.
It’s best to use a soft cotton cloth or a sponge to apply the oil. Apply the oil generously and spread it evenly. You’ll immediately notice how the wood’s color looks fresher again. Wipe off any excess oil with a cloth and let the cutting board dry thoroughly until the oil has been completely absorbed.
Note: Use only food-safe oils, such as flaxseed oil. Caution: Cotton cloths soaked in flaxseed oil can spontaneously combust when exposed to heat and oxygen! Be sure to wash the cloth thoroughly with dish soap.
Wood Care Products from JCBoards
I love wood, and I want you to enjoy your JCBoard for as long as possible. That’s why, in addition to wooden cutting boards for the kitchen, my shop also offers the right care products—from sandpaper to high-quality care oil— and, of course, they’re available in a convenient set. Let your cutting board shine like new!
Frequently Asked Questions About Caring for Wooden Cutting Boards
Why do you need to oil a wooden cutting board?
Regular oiling protects the surface of the cutting board and prevents moisture from penetrating it. It also helps prevent stains and odors from setting in. So, caring for a wooden cutting board with oil helps extend its lifespan.
How often should I oil a wooden cutting board?
It depends on how often you use the cutting board. I recommend oiling cutting boards that are used frequently at least once a month. At the latest when the color starts to fade, it’s time to reapply oil. It’s better to oil it a little more often to make the cutting board last longer. It’s important to oil the cutting board regularly because the protective layer gradually wears away with use.
What kind of oil can you use to care for wooden cutting boards?
When caring for wooden cutting boards , use only food-safe oils, preferably those that are odorless and tasteless. Linseed oil, for example, is a popular choice. Personally, though, I don’t like the distinctive smell of linseed oil, especially since it can take a few days for the odor to dissipate. That’s why I prefer to use white oil on my boards, which you can also find in my shop. Cooking oils aren’t suitable because they don’t harden and can be washed off with soap. As a result, they don’t provide adequate protection.
