Wood Cutting Board Maintenance You’re Probably Forgetting (Because Washing and Oiling Aren’t Always Enough)

A durable, versatile cutting board is essential for any productive kitchen. Wooden cutting boards are the best choice since they don’t release microplastics into food like plastic boards do. In addition, restoring wooden boards is easy, involving only a bit of sanding and oiling, which can save money. 

That said, wood cutting boards still degrade and warp over time and can easily grow mold and attract bacteria in knife scars and crevices, so you must care for them properly to avoid contaminating food that can end up making you sick. Here we discuss how to clean and maintain a wooden cutting board so this handy tool is always within reach when you’re ready to prepare your next meal.

Signs It’s Time to Restore Your Wooden Cutting Board

If you’ve been using the same cutting board for a while, you might have started to notice its wear and tear. Here are the indications that a wooden cutting board needs some extra care to revive it:

• The board looks slightly warped.
• It has an odd, off-putting smell.
• The surface looks faded, gray, or stained.
• Deep knife marks are visible.
• It feels soft, like the wood is wet.
• The wood absorbs water immediately.
• The wood looks and feels rough or scratchy.
• The board has lost its natural sheen.

If your cutting board has deep cracks that split through the board, warping that prevents it from laying flat, or visible mold or mildew growth, then it can’t be restored and you should toss it instead. 

How to Renew a Wooden Cutting Board

Keeping your wooden cutting board at its peak requires more than just scrubbing it with soap and water. To prevent smells, discoloration, splitting, and warping, you’ll want to put together a cutting board maintenance kit that includes mineral oil, beeswax cream, and sandpaper. Experts recommend applying food-safe oil to a new wooden cutting board every couple of days for the first week. Then oil it about once per month. Fully restore the board with cleaning, sanding, and oiling, once or twice a year.  

Step 1: Clean the cutting board.

Use hot water and mild dish soap to clean the wood and remove any food residue. Scrub thoroughly using a scrub brush, especially in any knife grooves. Let the board air-dry completely.

Step 2: Sanitize the cutting board.

Sanitizing a wooden cutting board helps eliminate stubborn bacteria. To sanitize the board, wipe the surface with white vinegar or hydrogen peroxide. Another approach is to sprinkle coarse salt evenly over the surface and then use a cut lemon to rub the salt into the wood. Let the lemon and salt sit on the wood for 15 minutes. Rinse the board with warm water, and then let it air-dry. 

Step 3: Sand the cutting board.

If the surface feels rough or you notice any knife marks, lightly sand the board in the direction of the wood grain. Use 200-grit sandpaper for light scratches and 100-grit paper if necessary for stains and deeper marks. The goal is to end up with a smooth surface but not to remove much material. 

Step 4: Remove dust and residue.

Take a dry, clean towel and wipe away any dust on the surface as a result of sanding. Let the board dry fully, which should take a few hours.  

Step 5: Oil the cutting board.

To condition the cutting board, spread a generous amount of food-safe mineral oil or board cream onto the wooden surface. Using a clean cloth, rub the oil evenly on the entire surface, handles, and edges. If the edges are very thick, you might need to add more oil to the rag. Wait 20 minutes and then apply a second coat of oil onto the surface and sides. After another 20 minutes, wipe off any excess oil with a clean rag. If the board is double-sided, repeat the same process on the other side.

Additional Tips to Maintain a Wooden Cutting Board

In addition to consistently sanding and oiling your cutting board, keep the following key tips in mind to ensure it stays in tip-top shape:  

• Never soak your wooden cutting board in water.
• Avoid washing the cutting board in the dishwasher or using heat to dry it.
• Don’t use vegetable or olive oil on your board.
• Don’t sand the board to the point that it starts to diminish in size.
• When cleaning the board with soap and water, wash both sides to prevent it from drying unevenly, which could cause it to warp.
• Deodorize a smelly board using the salt and lemon trick discussed above.

 

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