Caring For Your Cutting Board
Caring for a cutting board is such an easy thing to do and it surprises me how many people don’t know. So, I thought I would provide a little instruction that might prove beneficial to you, regardless of whether you have a Salt Shaker Woodworks board or one from Walmart. There are some definite Dos & Don’t’s to caring for your cutting board and they are all very simple and easy but must be adhered to if you don’t want your board to become unattractive and start splitting at the joints.
Let’s take the Dont’s first.
DON’T:
ever put your cutting board in the dishwasher! You might be thinking that this is so obvious but you just might be surprised how many uninformed people do.
ever use a scrubbing pad of any kind on your cutting board.
ever use bleach or other chemicals on your cutting board. This will definitely remove the naturally occurring oils & tannins in the wood that protect your board from drying out and from bacteria.
use soap on your cutting board. It is not really needed since tannins in the wood will eliminate bacteria. Using soap will remove these tannins and will also remove oils that keep your cutting board looking its best and from drying out. If you just have to use soap, then use a mild one with a soft rag or sponge.
DO:
wash your cutting board in hot water after each use. If you feel you just have to use soap, use a very mild one. In either case, use a soft rag or sponge to wash the cutting board.
Periodically, apply food grade mineral oil to your cutting board. Wipe on enough to coat the board and let it soak in for 24 hrs., then buff it off. Do this once every 3 months Do this once a month if your cutting board is heavily used (3-4 times per week) or is washed with mild soap after each use. You cannot over-oil your cutting board. However, you can waste the mineral oil by overdoing it.
That’s it y’all! I told you it was easy! If you follow this advice, you will keep your cutting board looking real good and it will last a real long time!
Until next time, stay safe and be kind to everyone you meet!
Will
