Posted on October 14th, 2025

When you bring a handcrafted wooden cutting board or charcuterie tray into your kitchen, you aren’t just buying a tool — you’re welcoming a living surface that breathes, moves, and ages. To keep that board beautiful, hygienic, and long-lasting, you need a care routine grounded in understanding of the wood and how it performs. Below, I’ll walk you through everything — from food-safe oils to wax, daily cleaning to smart storage — so your board continues to shine for years.

Why Wooden Boards Need Care (and Why It’s Worth It)

Wooden boards, unlike plastic, have pores. Those pores can absorb moisture, oils, and bacteria — or they can be sealed gently with the right conditioning routine. When a board dries out, it becomes vulnerable to cracks, warping, and roughness. Over time, those knife scars deepen, and the board loses its luster.

On the flip side: a well-oiled, waxed, and clean wooden cutting board becomes more beautiful over time. The grain pops, the surface feels silky, and small scars blend in. A board that’s properly maintained is safer (less likely to harbor bacteria), more usable, and a joy to use — whether for chopping day-to-day or presenting a charcuterie spread.

Choosing the Right Oil & Wax

Food-Safe Oil: The Foundation of Care

When someone asks, “What cutting board oil should I use?” the answer is: food-safe mineral oil or a blend specifically made for boards. Never use cooking oils like olive, walnut, or vegetable oil — they can go rancid, stink, and degrade your board.

Mineral oil is tasteless, odorless, and stable. Many board conditioners blend mineral oil with beeswax board care for extra sealing and sheen.

How to oil a solid maple cutting board (or any hardwood) here’s the step-by-step:

1. Start with a clean, dry board.
2. Pour a liberal amount (a tablespoon or two) of oil onto the surface.
3. Rub in with a soft cloth or paper towel, going with the grain, and cover all faces and end grain.
4. Let it soak in, ideally overnight.
5. Wipe away any excess oil the next day.

You’ll want to repeat this monthly or whenever the board looks dry or dull. High-use boards may need it more often.

Board Wax & Conditioner — The Second Shield

Wax (or a wax/oil blend) adds a protective layer that helps block moisture. Many makers use a mix of mineral oil + beeswax + sometimes carnauba wax. This is often labeled “board wax,” “board conditioner,” or “board butter.” The beeswax seals the surface, giving a little water resistance without blocking the wood’s breathing.

To apply wax:

• Warm a small amount (rub with your fingers or under a light).
• Rub it in exactly like oil — all surfaces, edges, grooves.
• Let it sit 30 minutes to an hour.
• Buff off the excess with a clean cloth.

If your board is new or has been flattened/sanded, you may want multiple coats (oil → wax → oil → wax) in its early life, then maintain with single applications.

Cleaning & Sanitizing: Gentle but Effective

One of the most common mistakes: treating wooden boards like plastic and dunking them, soaking them, or dishwashing them. That’s a recipe for warping, splitting, and compromised joints.

Here’s the best daily regimen:

1. Hand wash only — Use warm (not hot) water + mild dish soap.
2. Don’t soak — Rinse quickly, don’t leave it in water.
3. Dry promptly — Wipe with a towel, then stand upright or lean it so air circulates.
4. Sanitize when needed — For deeper cleaning, you can mix white vinegar + water or sprinkle coarse salt + rub with half a lemon. Let sit a few minutes, then rinse and dry. These methods clean without penetrating harsh chemicals.

For multi-colored cutting boards (e.g. boards made from mixed wood or patterns), the same rules apply — but be extra gentle around seams, inlays, or color boundaries. Don’t use harsh scrubbing that might wear down softer wood inlays.

If you see cracks forming (especially in edge grain boards), sand lightly (fine grit), clean, oil and wax. Preventing cracks is often a matter of not letting the board get too dry or too saturated.

How Often Should You Oil Your Board?

Different woods behave differently. Here are some rough guidelines:

• Teak edge-grain cutting boards: Because teak is naturally oily and dense, you might oil every 1–2 months in regular use.
• Cherry cutting boards: Cherry has a tighter grain and is a bit more delicate — oil every 3–4 weeks when in heavy use.
• Walnut (like your Solid Walnut Board): Similar to maple — monthly maintenance is safe.
• Mixed woods / charcuterie boards: Because they’re more decorative, you can afford to oil lightly more often to preserve the look.

If the board ever looks dry, light in tone, or starts to feel rough, it’s time to oil.

Storage & Smart Display for Wooden Boards

How you store your board can make or break its lifespan.

• Don’t lie flat under heavy weight or be buried under other items. Pressure + uneven humidity can warp.
• Stand upright or lean with air circulation on both sides.
• Avoid direct sunlight or heat sources (ovens, stoves). That rapidly dries the wood.
• For custom wooden trays or charcuterie boards, consider display racks or slotted trays so they double as art when not in use.

If you have matching cutting boards and charcuterie boards, store them side-by-side so they age together gracefully.

Special Tips: Wood-Specific & Problem-Solving

• Best wood conditioner for cherry cutting boards: A standard mineral oil + beeswax blend is safe for cherry. Avoid any oil with dyes or additives; keep it simple.
• Preventing cracks in wooden cutting boards: Keep humidity stable in your kitchen (avoid extremes), oil regularly, and don’t use on extremely hot or wet surfaces.
• Sanitizing wood chopping boards safely: Vinegar, salt & lemon are your best friends. For meat boards, you can use diluted hydrogen peroxide (food-grade) spray, let bubble, rinse, dry.
• Cleaning tips for multi-colored cutting boards: Go gently with oiling and waxing so you don’t darken lighter woods disproportionately. Use minimal scrub pressure; avoid strong bleach or overly darkening finishes.
• Board conditioner with beeswax and mineral oil is often ideal — that’s exactly what many artisan makers (including us at Cook’s Creations) provide free with board orders over $80. Cook's Creations, LLC

Why This Care Routine Matters (and Why You’ll Love the Results)

When you care properly for your board:

• The grain deepens, bringing out the warm hues and contrast.
• Knife marks blend instead of gouging.
• The surface remains nonstick, smooth, and more hygienic.
• You avoid warping, cracking, or separation of glue lines.
• The board becomes a cherished tool, aging gracefully as it tells your kitchen story.

This is how artisan boards become generational keepsakes.

Closing Thoughts

If you’re ready to bring home a board that’s as beautiful as it is functional, visit our Cutting & Charcuterie Boards collection and explore our handcrafted offerings. Whether it’s a Solid Walnut Cutting Board, a multi-color charcuterie masterpiece, or a gradient wood serving tray, you’ll find thoughtfully designed pieces built to last.

• The Solid Walnut Cutting Board – Rich walnut tones, splendid grain, and built with the same care we teach here. Use this as your everyday chopping hero (and treat her well).
• A multi-color wood charcuterie board (available on Cook’s Creations) adds artistry to your entertaining setups — and with thoughtful care, the contrasting woods age beautifully side by side. (Link it somewhere.)
• The gradient wood tray from Cook’s Creations is equally elegant and functional for serving — just care for it as you would any board.

By following this care guide, any of these boards will last for decades, and you’ll be proud each time you use them

Would you like help choosing the right finish, wood type, or care plan? Reach out — I’d be honored to guide you. Share this care guide with your friends or family who cherish quality in the kitchen — it may be the difference between a board that fails and one that loves you back for decades.

Here’s to years of beautifully maintained boards, perfect meals, and the warm finish of wood in your kitchen.