How to care for a wooden cutting board

Before the first meal

This guide applies to boards whose wood, joints and finish are suitable for food contact. Follow the board maker’s instructions too.

Reclaimed wood is not automatically suitable for a kitchen. Its previous life must be known, not simply lovely to describe.

Unknown paint, treatments or adhesives are reasons not to cut food on it. Cleaning does not resolve that uncertainty.

Hand-wash after every use

Remove scraps, then wash with hot water and dish soap. Rinse every used surface thoroughly.

Do not leave the board soaking in a sink. Avoid liquids sitting on the wood for long periods.

For reclaimed or joined boards, choose hand-washing over a dishwasher. Heat and moisture can damage joints.

Keep a separate board for raw meat, poultry and seafood. Do not reuse that surface for bread or vegetables.

Dry before putting it away

Wipe with a clean towel or clean paper towels. Then let the board air-dry completely, with its faces exposed.

Do not stack a damp board or place it against a wet surface. Wait until it is completely dry before oiling.

Choose oil intended for food-contact boards

Use a product explicitly intended for cutting boards that contact food. Follow its label and your board maker’s advice.

Apply it to clean, dry wood. Allow the stated time for it to penetrate, then wipe away excess before use.

There is no universal schedule here: use and finish change the board’s needs. Ask for advice if its surface becomes dry.

Oil maintains the wood. It does not sanitize the board or make an old treatment suitable for food contact.

When to stop using it

Cracks, open joints or grooves that cannot be cleaned are reasons to stop food contact. Have the board assessed or replace it.

Do not treat lemon, salt or vinegar as a guarantee of sanitization. A persistent smell deserves assessment, not a fragrance.

The USDA guide below distinguishes washing from sanitizing. Follow directions for a suitable product, without mixing household cleaners.

What about your family’s wood?

Before any transformation, gather the furniture’s origin, species if known, finishes and possible treatments. Photograph damaged areas too.

A photograph alone cannot establish food-contact suitability. Sanding or oiling unknown wood does not establish it either.

If suitability remains uncertain, an object without food contact can preserve the memory. An old table need not become a board.