Care for Customized Cutting Boards: Tips and Best Practices
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Time to read 2 min
With summer fast approaching, it’s time for charming charcuterie board picnics and lovely late-night dinner parties. As you drape fairy lights on the porch, pick out a bouquet of fresh lilies for the counter, and get into the hosting spirit, you can rely on our customizable cutting boards to help you craft your most artful spread yet. From premium North American wood to natural bamboo, our boards are built to last and serve you well. To help keep yours fresh, pristine, and ready to shine for years to come, we’ve created a guide for best care practices below!
Just like any good relationship, now that you’ve fallen in love with your cutting board, it's time to discover what keeps it happy and healthy. As a general rule of thumb, it’s best to wash your cutting board right after use to prevent bacterial growth. However, like with any wooden item, never soak or put your cutting board in the dishwasher, since the extreme heat and saturation could cause the wood to swell, bend, or crack. Instead, always hand-wash your board with warm water and gentle soap. (We know, we know, handwashing’s the worst! But we promise it’s worth it.) We want to keep your custom engravings looking as gorgeous as the first time you laid eyes on them, so try to use a non-abrasive brush to clean off any food debris and be sure to lightly scrub each nook and cranny of your design to keep it sparkling clean. An extra little secret? Make sure to wash the entire board even if you only chopped on one side - this helps to prevent uneven drying that could cause the wood to warp.
After rinsing thoroughly, immediately dry your board with a clean cloth before standing the board upright. Make sure that each side is equally exposed to airflow as this wards off any icky mildew that could result from the pooling of residual water (P.S. This method also means you'll take up less space on your drying rack: more room for all your favorite custom tumblers!) Next, let the cutting board sit for a few hours or overnight to ensure all remaining moisture fully evaporates. When it's completely dry, store your board in a cool, dry space or convert it to a stunning piece of kitchen decor.
If your board has picked up a bit of a funk and you're looking to combat any lingering spices or odors, create a mixture of lemon juice and salt. Then, use half of your lemon to rub the concoction across the grain; the lemon’s acidic properties will work like magic to disinfect the board for an even deeper clean.
Lastly, like all of us, your cutting board can get a little dehydrated. By oiling your board once every couple of months, you can keep it flourishing and ready to take on whatever tasty veggies you’re chopping up that night. Opt for food grade mineral oil and use a clean cloth to rub it over the entire board. Let the oil absorb fully overnight before wiping off any excess. In addition to maintaining the moisture balance of your board, this technique protects your wood from stains and brings back that ever elusive first-day shine.
With these tips in your back pocket, you and your customized cutting board can ride off into the sunset knowing that you’ll both treat each other right. Cheers to happily ever after!