How to Clean a Wood Butcher Block

Ironically, you should keep raw meat off a butcher's block.

Wood butcher blocks make a great style statement in the kitchen as either a countertop or an island, but it is important to keep wooden butcher block surfaces clean to ensure food safety. To avoid cross-contamination in the kitchen, only use the wood butcher block surface for non-meat foods. Do not use the block as a surface to cut poultry, beef, pork or fish unless it is protected by a plastic cutting board.

Things You'll Need

• Bowl
• Dish soap
• Cloth
• Bleach
• Spray bottle
• Mineral oil

Instructions

1. Put a small amount of liquid dish soap in a bowl. Add hot water. Dip a clean cloth in in the solution and clean the butcher's block with the cloth. Rinse thoroughly with water and allow to dry. Clean after each use.

2. Mix a solution of 1 quart of hot water with 1 teaspoon bleach in a spray bottle. Spray the board with the solution and wipe dry. Alternately, fill the sink with hot water, add 1 teaspoon of bleach per quart of water and dunk the entire board if size allows. Rinse thorough with clean water and allow to dry. Sanitize the board with the solution after every few uses.

3. Apply mineral oil liberally to the board with a soft cloth. Move in the direction of the wood grain. Wait four to five hours for the oil to soak in and buff off. Oil once a month.

Tips & Warnings

• Before using a butcher block for the first time, season with four to five coats of oil.

• Using higher concentrations of bleach than recommended can cause the board to split.

• Avoid excessive water when cleaning butcher block.

References

• University of Wisconsin Food Safety: Care and Cleaning of Butcher Block and Wood Cutting Boards
• North Dakota State University Extension: Kitchen KP