Stains in a wooden cutting board (beetroot, turmeric, wine): can you get them out?
A fresh stain from beetroot, turmeric or wine usually comes out of a wooden cutting board with coarse salt, half a lemon and a brush. If the colour sits deeper, sand the surface lightly with fine sandpaper and then oil the board generously. A well-oiled board takes up far less colour.
A stain in your board is annoying, but rarely permanent. Wood is not plastic: the colour sits in the top layer, and you can scrub that layer clean or sand it away. The sooner you get to it, the less work it is.
Why one board stains and another does not
Colour travels with moisture. A dry board with open pores soaks up beetroot juice or wine. A board that is saturated with oil leaves the liquid on the surface. There you simply rinse it off. If your board stains quickly, that is often a sign that it needs oil.
Dealing with a fresh stain
- Rinse the board straight away with warm water and a little washing-up liquid. Do not wait until after the meal.
- Sprinkle coarse salt on the stain and squeeze half a lemon over it.
- Scrub along the grain with the cutting board brush. The salt is lightly abrasive and the bristles get into the pores.
- Leave it for a few minutes and then rinse.
- Dry the board straight away and stand it upright.
- Oil the board as soon as it is completely dry. Salt and lemon dry out the wood.
Which stain, which approach
| Stain | Try first | If that does not work |
|---|---|---|
| Beetroot | Rinse straight away, salt and lemon | Sand lightly |
| Turmeric | Rinse straight away, salt and lemon | Sand lightly |
| Red wine | Rinse straight away, salt and lemon | Sand lightly |
| Dark patch that stays damp | Let it dry well, upright | Sand and oil generously |
If the stain sits deeper: sanding
If the colour is still visible after scrubbing, it is in the wood. Sand the surface lightly with fine sandpaper, 180 or 240 grit, along the grain. Sand the whole surface and not just the stain, otherwise you get a hollow. Remove the dust from the board and give it a generous coat of care oil. The full method is explained in Sanding and restoring a wooden cutting board.
Preventing stains
Oil your board twice a month with 20 ml, including the edges and the underside. If you want extra protection, finish with beeswax. It stays on the surface, seals the pores and keeps moisture out. Rinse the board straight away after cutting beetroot or turmeric.
Frequently asked questions
Is a board with a stain still safe to use?
Yes. A colour stain is only colour. Once you have washed and dried the board, you can simply cut on it.
Does a stain fade by itself?
A light stain often fades through washing and use. Do not count on it with a dark stain that has been in the wood for a while. You sand that one away.
Can I soak the board to loosen the stain?
No. The wood soaks up water and can warp or crack. What is more, the stain only sinks in deeper.
Does an oiled board never stain at all?
Less quickly, not never. Oil makes sure moisture stays on the surface for longer. If you leave beetroot juice for an hour, colour can still soak in. You can read about the rhythm in Caring for a wooden cutting board.
