How to care for a wooden cutting board
Here is how you care for a wooden cutting board: give it a quick wash in warm water after use, dry it straight away and let it finish drying upright. Twice a month you rub in about 20 ml of oil, thinly. That is five minutes of work, and no more than that.
Wood is a natural product. It takes up moisture, dries out again and slowly loses its natural oils along the way. A board that never gets any oil turns dull and rough, and will eventually splinter or crack. A board that gets oil regularly stays smooth, repels moisture and lasts for years. Here is exactly how.
Every day: wash and dry
- Wash it with warm water and a little washing-up liquid. A brush or a soft sponge is enough.
- Dry it straight away with a tea towel. Do not leave the board lying wet on the worktop.
- Let it dry upright, so air can reach the wood on both sides. Leaving it flat on a wet surface is the fastest way to make a board warp.
What you never do: put the board in the dishwasher or leave it soaking in a sink full of water. The combination of heat and staying wet for a long time dries the wood out and makes it crack.
Twice a month: oiling
- Make sure the board is clean and completely dry.
- Put about 20 ml of oil on the board or on a microfibre cloth.
- Rub the oil out thinly across the whole surface, including the edges and the underside. With a brush you work the oil into the juice groove and the corners as well.
- Let the oil soak in for 3 hours.
- Wipe off whatever has not soaked in with a dry cloth. That way no sticky film is left behind.
If the wood feels dry or looks dull, give it oil a little more often. After a few months you know your board and you feel when it is time.
A new board: start generously
Give a new board a generous coat of oil the first time. Let it soak in overnight and wipe off the excess the next morning. After that you start the normal rhythm of twice a month. The care guide sets out the whole first year.
Extra protection: beeswax
Oil soaks into the wood and feeds it from the inside. Beeswax lays a thin layer on top of that, which keeps moisture out and gives the wood a soft sheen. For a board that gets wet a lot, or a butcher block that sees a lot of meat, that is a good addition. Apply the wax once the oil has soaked in and buff it off afterwards. With a beeswax block you rub the wax straight onto the wood, without a cloth.
The schedule at a glance
| When | What | Time |
|---|---|---|
| After every use | Wash, dry straight away, dry upright | 1 minute |
| New board | Generous coat of oil, left to soak in overnight | 5 minutes plus a night |
| Twice a month | Rub in about 20 ml of oil, thinly | 5 minutes |
| Now and then | A layer of beeswax after oiling | 5 minutes |
| After a few years | Light sanding and a fresh coat of oil | About half an hour |
Which oil do you use?
Use a thin, odourless oil that is suitable for contact with food. TheWootz board oil is 100% grapeseed oil, with nothing added. Why we choose that, and how it compares to olive oil, mineral oil and linseed oil, you can read in Which oil for a wooden cutting board?
How long does a bottle last?
At 20 ml per treatment and two treatments a month you use about 40 ml a month per board. A bottle of 250 ml then lasts around six months. If you have several boards or a butcher block, 500 ml is handier. And if you would rather not have to think about it, you can take oil on subscription with 5% off every delivery.
Frequently asked questions
Can a wooden cutting board go in the dishwasher?
No. The heat and staying wet for a long time dry the wood out and can make it crack or warp. Washing by hand and drying straight away is enough.
Can I use washing-up liquid?
Yes, a little. Rinse well and dry the board straight away.
My board has turned rough. What now?
The wood fibres have been raised by moisture. Sand the board lightly with fine sandpaper and then give it a generous coat of oil. Sanding and restoring a wooden cutting board explains how.
How do I know my board needs oil?
The wood feels dry, looks lighter and duller, or water soaks straight in instead of beading up. That is when it is time.
Everything in one go
If you would rather not put it all together yourself, choose a set. The starter set has oil and a microfibre cloth, the care set adds a brush, and the care duo combines oil with beeswax or a beeswax block.
