What is beeswax and why do you use it on wood?
Beeswax is the wax that bees make themselves. On wood, beeswax stays on the surface: it seals the pores and keeps moisture out. You use it after oiling, as the last layer on your cutting board.
Oil and wax are often mixed up. Yet they do different things. Oil soaks into the wood. Wax stays on top. If you know that difference, you also know when wax makes sense and when you can leave it.
What does beeswax do on wood?
Wood has pores. Moisture gets in through those pores, for example the juice of a tomato or the water from washing up. Beeswax lays a thin layer over the surface. The pores close and moisture stays out. The wood then feels smooth and gets a soft sheen.
Wax does not feed the wood. The oil does that. That is why the order is always the same: first oil, then wax. Our beeswax comes from Dutch bees and is food safe, so you can simply cut on it.
Oil and beeswax side by side
| Care oil | Beeswax | |
|---|---|---|
| Where is it? | In the wood | On the wood |
| What does it do? | Feeds the wood and keeps it supple | Seals the pores and keeps moisture out |
| When? | Twice a month | After oiling, as an extra layer |
| Can it do without the other? | Yes | Preferably not |
You can read how to apply the oil in Caring for a wooden cutting board.
When does beeswax make sense?
- Your board often gets wet. Think of meat, fruit or a board that you rinse several times a day.
- You have a juice groove. That is where moisture stays the longest.
- You have a butcher block. The sides are high and take a lot of wear.
- You want a nicely finished surface. For example if you also use the board for serving.
If you use the board mainly for bread and vegetables, oil alone will also take you a long way. Wax is an extra. Not a replacement.
Two kinds of beeswax
The wax block is 100% pure beeswax. You rub it straight onto the clean, dry wood, along the grain. The spreadable beeswax comes in a 50 g aluminium tin. You apply it thinly with a soft cloth. There is more background on the page Beeswax for wood.
Frequently asked questions
Is beeswax food safe?
Yes. Both the wax block and the spreadable beeswax are food safe. After treating the board you can simply use it for cutting.
Can I use beeswax instead of oil?
No. Wax stays on the surface and does not feed the wood. Without oil the wood dries out from the inside. So give the board oil first and then seal it with wax.
Do I have to apply wax after every oiling?
You do not have to. Oil is the basis. You apply wax when the board has to deal with a lot of moisture or when the surface loses its sheen.
Is there a set with oil and wax together?
Yes. The care duo consists of care oil with beeswax or with a wax block.
