We often get asked about care and maintenance tips for wooden cutting boards.  Some of the commonly asked questions are: What do I do first?  How do I care and maintain my cutting board?  Can I put this thing in my dishwasher?  Here are a few tips and tricks from the pros at Superior Cabinets on how to prepare, maintain and keep your new wooden cutting board happy for many years to come.

Preparation of Your New Wooden Cutting Board

Before using a new wooden cutting board, season it to prevent staining & absorption of food odors & bacteria.  Proper surface treatment is important to guard against germs and/or mold growth on both new and older boards.

Food grade Mineral Oil is a popular choice, as it is the cheapest pure food grade oil you can buy.  DO NOT use vegetable or olive oils because they can turn rancid.  Mineral oil remains safe throughout its life and is available at your local hardware or drug store.

• Before applying oil to a wooden cutting board warm the oil slightly by running the bottle under some warm water.
• Apply oil with a soft cloth, in the direction of the grain, allowing oil to soak in for a few minutes.
• Then remove all surface oil with a dry, clean cloth.

How to Clean Your Wooden Cutting Board

Every day cleaning of your wood cutting board:

• Hot water & soap – Scrub board with hot water & soap.  Rinse and dry thoroughly.  NEVER submerge cutting boards in a sink of water and NEVER put the board in a dishwasher!  Wood is porous and will soak up water causing the cutting board to crack when it dries.

Disinfecting your wood cutting board:

• Vinegar – To disinfect and clean your wood cutting boards or butcher block countertop, wipe them with full strength white vinegar after each use.  The acetic acid in vinegar is a good disinfectant.

Odor elimination of your wood cutting board:

• To eliminate garlic, onion, fish, or other smells from your cutting board –
  • Coarse salt or baking soda – Rub the board with coarse salt or baking soda.  Let stand for a few minutes and wipe salt or baking soda from board and then rinse.
  • Lemon – Another easy technique is to rub fresh lemon juice or rub a cut lemon over the surface of the cutting board to neutralize onion and garlic odors.

Re-Seasoning Your Wood Cutting Board

• Re-seasoning – Wooden boards need oiling or re-seasoning once a week to seal the grain against bacteria.  Also an oil finish helps to prevent the wood from cracking or pulling apart at the seams.

Other Care Tips for your Wooden Cutting Board

• All cutting boards, and other food surfaces, should be kept dry when not in use.  Resident bacteria survive not more than a few hours without moisture.  Beware of moisture collecting beneath the board if you leave it on the counter.  If you can, prop one end up when not using your board.
• Replace cutting boards that become deeply scratched, carved or grooved.

Proper care and maintenance of your wood cutting board will keep you going for many years to come!  And remember, extreme caution must always be taken when using any type of cutting board.