Wooden cutting boards are beautiful and durable, but they do take a bit of maintenance to keep them that way. I have compiled a short list of notes for taking care of your wooden cutting board. The list is aimed at cutting boards I have made and the materials I haves used, but could be expanded to others

Materials

• Your cutting board was made from a combination of domestic and exotic hardwoods and has been finished in a 100% food-safe mineral oil.
• Your cutting board does look nice, but not too nice to use.  It was built to work, so don’t worry, it can take it.  
• As the humidity increases some oil may appear on the surface on the board.  It is completely normal and it can be wiped off or left on the surface until it is reabsorbed.

Cleaning and Drying

• Use a sponge or cloth with soap and hot water to clean both sides of the board. Then rinse it off.  Never leave a wood cutting board submerged in water, nor put it in the dishwasher. Do your best to dry it off completely and try not to let it sit on a damp cloth or towel. This can cause uneven drying and warping
• A cutting board can also be cleaned with a 1 part vinegar and 4 parts water mixture. Fully rinse and dry after cleaning.
• Inevitably, the board will dry unevenly and cause it to warp a bit.  Don’t worry, it is completely fine. 
• Spread a  little water on the concave side (top side of a smile)

• Then flip it over (now it is frowning).  Let it sit until it has flattened out (5-10 minutes), then dry it off.

Protection

• Keeping a wood cutting board protected is important to ensure it lives a long, happy life.
• By treating the wood you are keeping it from drying out and potentially cracking. So you know it is time to treat your board when the surface loses its dark color and sheen. Absorbing a lot of water is also an indicator that you need to treat the board.
• There are many products out there that can be used to keep your board protected.  An easy one to use is Howard Butcher Block Conditioner or Oil.  You can find either at Menards, Home Depot, Amazon,etc.  You don’t need much and you just rub it in and wipe off the excess.  

• The oil will soak into any porous surface, so you may not want to oil it directly on top of a granite/marble/concrete countertop.  Oil the board elsewhere and once it is dry bring it back into the kitchen.  Alternatively, put a towel down first. 

Roughness

• After you clean the board a few times, the board will become rougher due to the moisture raising the wood grain.  This is totally normal and won’t hurt anything.  If desired, you can use some 220 or 320 grit sandpaper to knock the roughness down.  Clean up the dust and treat it with the wax/oil blend.