Natural Wood Cutting Board Care

My wood cutting boards get used every day, multiple times a day. There are a few easy ways you can keep your cutting board in top shape and looking like new for years to come. Simply follow this simple natural wood-cutting board care routine.

Let’s start with the basics!

How to Wash a Wood Cutting Board

Always wash your wood cutting board right after use.

However, it is important to never submerge your cutting board fully in water. Instead, wipe the board with warm soapy water and give it a quick rinse. Dry it with a towel, then let it sit up on edge to dry completely.

How to Naturally Disinfect a Wood Cutting Board

You can easily disinfect a cutting board using vinegar! Vinegar is incredible and is proven to combat bacteria including things like the flu virus!

Simply keep a spray bottle of white vinegar on hand. Make sure it is white vinegar, 5% or stronger.

Spray the cutting board, then let it rest for a few minutes. You don’t want it soaked but just damp. Then wipe the board clean with a damp cloth.

Smelly cutting board? A quick vinegar cleanse should help deodorize your cutting board too.

How to Naturally Remove Stains from a Cutting Board

Mix up two tablespoons of baking soda, three tablespoons of hot tap water, and one tablespoon of salt. Use a sponge to scoop up a dollop of the solution and scrub the surface of the board.

Wipe it or rinse with a warm cloth and dry with a cloth.

Sanitize, Clean, and Deodorize a Cutting Board

Lemon is another great way to clean and sanitize your wood cutting board naturally. Run the board under warm water. Then sprinkle a coarse salt, such as Morton’s, across the entire surface.

Slice a lemon in half, then squeeze a little juice across the board. Next, use the sliced side of the lemon to scrub the board. Let this juice sit on the board for 4-5 minutes, then wipe it clean with a cloth.

How to Remove Cut Marks from a Cutting Board

A wood cutting board can be spruced up with a few quick rounds with sand paper. Start with a coarse 100 grit and sand the whole surface. Then move to a finer grit using 180, and finish with the finest of 240.

After sanding the board it is a great time to use one of the sanitizing methods mentioned above.

After that, see below for an easy recipe for a wood conditioner you can apply for a finishing touch.

How to Condition a Wood Cutting Board

Avoid Vegetable or Nut Oils

The problem with nut or vegetable oils is they will go rancid after a while. The last thing you want is a cutting board that smells like gross oil. Vegetable, canola, even olive oils, are a no go.

Mineral Oil

Mineral oil is a great way to condition cutting boards. Not only that, it is very affordable!

Don’t be fooled into buying a fancy mineral oil online. You can pick up mineral oil in the pharmacy at Wal-Mart for $3. So long as it is either food grade or pharmaceutical grade, you are fine.

If you want to use just mineral oil, simply dab a cotton cloth in the oil and work it into the board. It’s best to let it rest overnight or for several hours at least. Wipe away any excess oil with a cloth.

I recommend keeping a separate little towel for conditioning your cutting board. Don’t wash it with your regular clothes or you risk oil spots.

Beeswax and Mineral Oil Cutting Board Conditioner

To make a simple and highly effective wood conditioner all you need to do is add a little beeswax to the mix.

In a double boiler, combine 1/4 cup beeswax (pellets or chunked up) with 1 cup mineral oil. Stir it up with a toothpick or popsicle stick that you can toss after.

Once the beeswax is melted completely, pour it into a pint jar. Allow to cool with the lid off, and continue to stir every so often to keep the mixture from separating at all.

One cool, scoop a little blop onto a cotton cloth and work it into the entire surface of the board.

Let sit for 10 minutes or so, then buff again with a clean cotton cloth.

Looking for other natural DIY cleaning products?

• Here are 5 of my Favorite Natural Cleaning Recipes
• DIY Natural Leather Cleaner and Conditioner
• How to Clean Rust from Garden Tools

Watch and Learn

Wood cutting board care can be so easy. Here are all the tips above in practice.

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