The short version
- Hand wash with mild soap and warm water.
- Dry it right away and stand it on edge.
- Oil it whenever the wood starts to look dry or lighter in color.
- Never the dishwasher, and never leave it soaking.
Washing
Scrub both sides with mild dish soap and warm water, rinse, and you're done. Wash both faces even if you only cut on one: wood swells as it takes on water, and a board that's wet on one side only can start to cup.
Don't leave it in the sink or soaking in water. Long soaks are how glue lines open up and boards crack.
Drying
Towel it off straight away, then stand it on its edge or lean it against the backsplash so air reaches both faces. Laying a wet board flat on the counter traps water underneath.
Oiling
Oil is what keeps the wood from drying out and splitting. Use food-safe mineral oil or a cutting board conditioner (mineral oil with beeswax works well). Our boards leave the shop finished with mineral oil and beeswax conditioner.
Put on a light coat with a clean cloth, let it soak in, then wipe off whatever's left on the surface. A new board drinks more oil at first; after that, oil it whenever it looks dry or lighter in color.
Skip olive and vegetable oils: they can go rancid in the wood and start to smell.
What to avoid
- The dishwasher: the heat and water will warp or split it.
- Soaking it, or leaving it wet.
- The microwave.
- Harsh chemicals and bleach-strength cleaners.
- Leaving it near direct heat, like next to the stove, for long stretches.
Smells, stains and knife marks
For a smell or a stain, sprinkle coarse salt on the board and scrub it with half a lemon, then rinse, dry and oil it.
Knife marks are normal and part of a board's life. If the surface gets rough, a light sanding with fine sandpaper and a fresh coat of oil brings it back.
Natural wood will vary
Grain, color, knots and markings are part of the wood, and the color of some woods changes over time. That's not a flaw: it's how you can tell it's real.
From our shop
Want something built to your own size or idea? See custom orders.