Care instructions for Boards & Spoons
Cleaning:
- Don't put in the dishwasher.
- Don't soak.
- To clean: wipe with a damp cloth, and if needed, lightly wash/scrub with warm, mildly soapy water, rinse quickly, and dry immediately. Don't leave a wet cutting board lying flat, as this may cause it to warp.
Five minute maintenance:
I use a food-safe mixture of mineral oil & beeswax (Clapham's brand). Over time, it will become dull and the wood may get slightly fuzzy. Many people are happy to let nature take its course, but if you want to refresh the look of your item, do this from time to time:
- Following the direction of the grain of the wood, give the board/spoon a brisk rub with a 'superfine' buffing pad (equivalent to "0000" steel wool - you can find these at most hardware stores in the sandpaper section.
- With a clean rag, apply a thin coat of an oil of your choice, allow it to penetrate for a few minutes, and wipe off excess. Repeat if desired. The finish should look almost brand new!
Some good options for oiling/refinishing:
- Mineral oil: inexpensive, found at most pharmacies
- Some varieties of 'Tried & True' brand finishes: stocked at Lee Valley
- Clapham's Salad Bowl finish: also at Lee Valley
- Coconut oil
Avoid these:
- Raw linseed oil (can go rancid over time)
- Anything that contains "Boiled Linseed Oil" (this often has heavy metals)
- Paste wax
- Anything called 'butcher block oil' that doesn't explicitly say 'food safe' on the container.
If you have any questions, feel free to send me an email.
Thanks for buying handmade, and enjoy!
- Dan
