Taking Care of Your Cutting Boards, Chopping Boards and Other Woodenware

December 15, 2017

Taking good care of your wood cutting boards, chopping boards, butcher's blocks and other woodenware is really quite easy! Yes, the board CAN get heavy, but that's just a small price to pay for such a durable and excellent quality cutting board. You will soon find out that the pros of owning a wood cutting board far outweighs the cons. 

In 2012, a survey showed that a normal home maker spends 18 whole days in the kitchen per year! That comes to about 3 years of your whole life! If you have to spend that much time in the kitchen preparing food for your family, it's only logical to have the best kitchen ware and wooden ware to help you. 

So, how do you keep taking good care of them? 

First, wash your cutting board, chopping board or butcher's block with warm water and soap. Make sure to use the sturdy, abrasive side of the sponge cleaner. Give the board a good scrub down, while it is under a running water. This ensures that bacteria and unwanted food material are removed efficiently. Do not leave the board to dry in a rack afterwards. Instead, get a clean hand towel and towel it down to dry. And then, you can air dry afterwards. 

Before we proceed to the next step, remember NOT to do these things to any wooden ware in your kitchen. 

1. Do not wash your boards using your dishwasher. This warps the wood, dries them up and results in splintering. 
2. Do not soak your boards in water. Only wash them under warm running water. 
3. Do not apply bleaching liquid. Apart from the fact that it is NOT food safe, it dries up the wood and results in splintering. 
4. Do not leave your wet board on the counter to dry on its own. The enclosed moisture on the unexposed side will cause the wood to harbor bacteria (bacteria love wet and warm areas). Apart from that leaving the wood to dry on just one side will cause it to warp and dry out. We want a well maintained wood, not a wood that splinters. 

Now, after your board has had the chance to thoroughly and properly dry, you can begin applying your wood wax or wood butter. Our cutting board wax (www.cuttingboardwax.co.uk) will keep your favorite cutting board and other wooden ware in top condition! It has natural elements that will moisturise the wood fibres so it protects and nourishes your wood at the same time. 

Apply the wood wax directly on to a dry cutting board. Be generous! Your wooden cutting board needs all the tender love and care. When spreading the wax out on all directions, it is advisable to NOT use your fingers as you might accidentally splinter your fingers (just in case) so, use a clean kitchen towel or a clean paint brush to spread the wax on. 

Let the wax stay for at least an hour or overnight (for newly purchased boards) to ensure that the wax seeps in to the cracks. This prevents other liquids (from raw meat and veggies) to soak into the board. Remember, moisture and warmth is a haven for bacteria. This also ensures that the wood fibres won't warp (wood shrinking and expanding due to continued use) so it basically maintains its shape for a long time. 

Our cutting board wax also acts as a barrier on the wood surface against unwanted stains and liquid from meat, blood and fruit and vegetable juices. This in turn keeps your board very hygienic and easier to maintain. It is advisable to apply cutting board wax each time you finish using your board (and after washing it thoroughly). 

We've made our cutting board wax from natural ingredients so it remains food safe all the time and you can keep on using them on all your wooden boards and wooden ware.

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