--- title: "These Are the Essentials You Need to Maintain Your New Cutting Board" description: "Learn the essentials you need to maintain and protect your cutting board. From oil to brushes, here are our top picks." date: "2026-01-06" modified: "2026-01-06" authors: - name: "Tony Carrick" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.bobvila.com/authors/tony-carrick/" url: "https://www.bobvila.com/reviews/essentials-for-new-cutting-board/" categories: - "Cleaning Supplies" - "Reviews" --- # These Are the Essentials You Need to Maintain Your New Cutting Board ![These Are the Essentials You Need to Maintain Your New Cutting Board]() *Photo: Amazon* You may think that giving your wooden cutting board a good scrub with dish soap, rinsing it off, then propping it up by the sink is good enough. It’s not. If you want to prevent that new cutting board from splitting and warping, you need to treat it. And for that, you need the right tools. Your cutting board maintenance kit should include food-safe [cutting board oil]() that can protect the wood, a [scraper]() to remove food bits, and a good [deodorizer]() for removing smells. Ahead, we’ve assembled 10 of our favorite products anyone should consider using to keep a wood cutting board in top condition. With its high-quality food-safe formula, Thirteen Chef's mineral oil offers one of the best ways to treat wood cutting boards. The oil penetrates deep into the wood to prevent it from drying out and cracking, and the bottle is easy to squeeze. Plus, it comes with a push applicator. This cutting board wax is made from 100 percent pure beeswax, making it completely safe for use on cutting boards. Simply rub it in with a cloth, then allow it to soak into the wood over the course of several hours. The wax creates a protective barrier that prevents the cutting board from absorbing moisture or harboring bacteria. This handy tool helps remove food cleanly from the surface of your cutting board, making cleanup easier while keeping the board’s surface hygienic. With its 6-inch width and 4.75-inch depth, it can clear off larger boards in short order and transfer heaps of food from the board to a pan or plate. The large rubberized handle makes it easy to grip, while its beveled edge helps peel stubborn bits of food off the cutting board surface. This chemical-free spray-on mineral oil is 100 percent food-grade walnut oil and contains no genetically modified organisms (GMOs). You can dispense it three ways—steam mist, and drip—so you can choose the dispensation method that works for your needs. Plus, it lasts for up to 2 years. Just avoid using it around those with nut allergies. Clark’s scrub brush is a little pricey, but it’s worth the expense. Designed specifically for cutting boards, it consists of a maple wood handle and a stiff brush. The brush’s tampico fibers provide a happy medium between stiffness and suppleness, removing food particles without damaging the cutting board. It also works well as an applicator for food-safe mineral oils. This formula uses a mix of carnauba wax, beeswax, and food-grade mineral oil to preserve wood cutting boards and other wooden utensils. But it’s not just for food: you can also use it to beautify and protect other surfaces in your kitchen, including granite, marble, and stainless steel, making it one of the more versatile solutions for maintaining your cutting board. You don’t necessarily *need* any special products to sanitize and clean your cutting board. Instead, you can get the job done with a lemon and some kosher salt. Simply sprinkle on the kosher salt, then scrub the salt into the board using a halved lemon, working in a circular motion. The salt acts as an abrasive that scrubs away food particles while the lemon’s juice helps remove odors. Combined, the two act as an effective sanitizer. Wood cutting boards can harbor odors, especially from garlic, fish, and other strong-odored foods. MacKenzie’s Fisherman’s Hand Scrub is the answer. A favorite among fishermen and cooks, this formula is renowned for its ability to deodorize hands and cutting boards. It consists of walnut husk soap and lemon essential oil, so it’s food safe. Simply squeeze a little on, scrub, and rinse. This set of tools will help you maintain your cutting boards. It consists of a brush made from sisal fibers stiff enough to scrub food bits off your cutting boards, as well as a nice bamboo handle. Once clean, apply a food-safe mineral oil with the applicator to preserve the board. It’s a handy set of tools at an affordable price. This organic cutting board cleaner is made to be used before applying a food-safe mineral oil or protective cream to your board. It uses a mix of orange and lemon extracts to deodorize and sanitize the surface. Squirt a little on, lather it up, scrub, and rinse. It also comes in coconut, lemongrass and unscented options. ## Author Tony Carrick is a freelance writer who has contributed to BobVila.com since 2020. He writes how-to articles and product reviews in the areas of lawn and garden, home maintenance, home improvement, auto maintenance, housewares, and technology. ### Author social links [LinkedIn]()