How to Clean and Season a Wood Cutting Board

Oak cutting boards require periodic maintenance to keep the cutting board free from cracking and warping. Here's how to maintain your wooden cutting board for years of chopping your favorite foods.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Mineral oil
• Mild dish soap
• Hot water
• White vinegar or hydrogen peroxide for disinfecting

1. Wash the new wooden cutting board with mild dish soap in hot water. Do not submerge the cutting board in water, but rather wash under the faucet.

2. Dry cutting board with a dish towel and allow to fully air dry.

3. Apply a thin coat of mineral oil to the surface of the cutting board. This seasoning procedure should be undertaken every six months to prevent warping and cracking of the wood. Do not use vegetable-based oils as they will become rancid over time and cause an odor problem.

4. After you chop food on the wooden cutting board, wash with mild dish soap in hot water. Remember to not submerge the cutting board in water, but rather wash under the faucet.

5. Disinfect the cutting board after each use by rubbing the surface with white vinegar or hydrogen peroxide.

Tips & Warnings

• A new wooden cutting board should be washed, dried, seasoned, used for chopping food, washed again, then disinfected with white vinegar or hydrogen peroxide after each use.
• Do not submerge cutting board in water as this will eventually cause warping and cracking.
• Do not use vegetable-based oils to season the cutting board as the oil will become rancid and cause a foul odor.

[crafts4kids]

on 10/15/2009 Great tips, thanks for sharing!