How to care for a wooden cutting board or bowl

A wooden cutting board or bowl can last a lifetime if you give it a little care. The good news: it's much easier than you think.

1. Wash by hand, quickly

After use, rinse your board or bowl with lukewarm water and, if needed, a drop of washing-up liquid. Use a soft sponge, never a scourer. Never leave wood soaking in the sink: it absorbs water, swells and can crack.

2. Never in the dishwasher

The heat, the long wet cycle and harsh tablets dry the wood out and make it split. Even "dishwasher-safe" wood is better kept out of it.

3. Dry it upright

Dry your piece straight away with a tea towel and let it finish drying upright or on a rack, so air reaches both sides. Leaving it flat on a wet surface can make the wood warp.

4. Oil it now and then

Does the wood look dull or dry? Time for oil. Use a food-safe oil (for example a cutting board oil or a blend of oil and beeswax). Apply a thin layer with a soft cloth, let it soak in for a few hours and wipe off the excess. For a cutting board you use daily: about once a month. For a decorative bowl: a few times a year.

Tip: don't use ordinary olive or sunflower oil: it can turn rancid and start to smell over time.

5. Smells and stains

Onion or garlic on your board? Rub it with half a lemon and some coarse salt, rinse and let it dry.

How we do it

All our bowls and boards at Houtatelier Fanuel are finished with natural oils, beeswax and carnauba wax. This gives the wood a soft sheen and makes it ready for everyday use.

See our handmade cutting boards and wooden bowls.