How to Clean a Wooden Cutting Board + 5 Care Tips

Wooden cutting boards have a variety of uses. They look stunning in just about any kitchen and are especially gentle on knives, helping them last longer. Since wooden boards are typically pricier than plastic ones, it’s worth looking into how to best care for yours. So, without further ado, here’s how to clean a wooden cutting board properly.

How to clean a wooden cutting board in easy 3 steps

Knowing how to clean a wooden cutting board is crucial for its longevity. If you stick it in the dishwasher as you would with a plastic board, it will warp and crack. Fortunately, cleaning it only takes a moment!

1. Scrape off any food bits

First, scrape off any food bits that might have gotten stuck on the board. Depending on how stuck the ingredients are, a wooden or metal spatula, bench scraper, or dull knife will all do the trick.

Taking the time to do this step before scrubbing with a sponge is worth the effort. If you don’t remove stuck-on bits, they could scratch the wood when you move on to the next step. The result would be an old-looking board that would only get to its former glorious shape with sanding, which is much more time-consuming.

2. Scrub with hot, soapy water

Next, you can start scrubbing the board to clean it. Use a gentle sponge here—one that’s too coarse will scratch up the surface of the wood. Remember to also use mild dish soap to gently clean the wood. It’s important to scrub and clean both sides of the board—even if you’ve only used one. Getting both sides wet will prevent the board from warping and losing its shape as it dries.

Rinse off all the soap with hot or warm water.

3. Air dry or pat dry

Finally, leave the board to dry in a well-ventilated place. You could leave it standing up, rest it on a dish-drying rack, or pat the board dry with a clean tea towel.

Whatever you do, don’t skip this step! Never put away a wooden board that’s not completely dry. If you were to stow it in a closed cupboard while it’s still damp, it could grow mildew. A wooden board that has mold on it cannot be saved, in most cases, as it could pose a health risk.

How to remove stains from a wooden cutting board

It’s normal for wooden cutting boards to get stained after use. Some foods, like beets and tomatoes, can leave stains on whatever surface they come in contact with. Fortunately, there’s a very easy way to tackle stains on cutting boards.

Sprinkle a generous layer of baking soda on top of the stain. Add some drops of water and mix it until you have a slurry. Scrub this paste onto the stain and leave it for 15 minutes. Once the timer’s up, wash the board well with hot, soapy water.

More often than not, that should be enough to get your wooden cutting board nice and clean. However, the toughest, most stubborn stains may persist. If you noticed that stain a long time ago but didn’t clean it soon enough, baking soda and water might not be enough. In that case, sanding down the board all over (even where it isn’t stained) is your best course of action.

5 tips to make your wooden cutting board last

Now that you know how to clean it, here are a few tips on how to care for a wooden cutting board. They’re the big secrets to making your board last a lifetime.

1. Clean it right away

The sooner you clean your cutting board after using it, the better. It prevents stains, minimizes warping, and lowers the chances of the wood cracking.

2. Don’t let water pool for long

Water and wood don’t mix too well. Letting your board sit with water on top (for example, right after you’ve chopped a pound of juicy tomatoes) is a recipe for warping and cracking. If you can’t clean your board right away, soak up the excess moisture with paper towels or a kitchen cloth.

3. Oil the board regularly

Every time you wash your cutting board, you wash away a bit of its oil coating. To keep it in tip-top shape, you need to oil the board once a month or so.

Your best friends are a paper towel and a food-safe mineral oil. Cooking oils (like olive oil and vegetable oil) don’t cut it because they can go rancid rather quickly, leaving behind an unpleasant smell and taste. 

Soak the paper towel with the oil, rub it on a freshly cleaned and dried board, and let the wood soak it all up overnight. The next day, you’ll notice the wood has gotten darker, which is a sign the oiling worked.

4. Keep a tight seal

After oiling, it’s best to also seal the wood with some beeswax. This will ensure the oil doesn’t wash off for a while and will give a water-proof coating to the wooden board.

Gently heat up the beeswax so it becomes easier to spread. Then, dab a paper towel or clean cloth in the beeswax and rub it all over both sides of the board.

5. Sand the board to polish

After some years, you’ll notice deep ridges left by sharp knives. This doesn’t mean you should throw away your cutting board. It just means it needs to be sanded. You can do this yourself at home, using coarse-grit sandpaper, or take it to a professional.

A well-cared-for board lets you prepare delicious meals

The kitchen has many rituals—from prepping ingredients to seasoning and caring for a precious wooden board. Compared to all the fun things you can do in the kitchen, grocery shopping can be a bore. Perusing the aisles for that 1 ingredient you need but can’t find is no fun. Fortunately, Instacart is here to help. Order all your groceries online via the app with just a few clicks and get them delivered on the same day.

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