Care & Maintenance Guide

Every Zwitch Woodworking product intended for food use (cutting boards, charcuterie boards, etc.) comes treated with food-grade mineral oil. This means that other than a quick wipe-down (if you choose), your board is ready-to-use straight out of the box!

Wood cutting boards require different care and maintenance than plastic cutting boards, and all of us live in different regions and climates, so we've added some frequently-asked questions below and will continue to update the page as others are asked.

Thanks again for your purchase from Zwitch Woodworking, we hope it brings you many years of joy!

Wood Cutting Board FAQ

Is using a wood cutting board sanitary?

Yes. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service, wooden cutting boards are appropriate for use in food preparation, including for raw meat and poultry. Medical research has also shown that common species of wood used in the kitchen such as hard maple naturally possess anti-microbial properties.

The most important consideration is using two or more cutting boards when preparing food, to separate foods that require cooking from food that requires no further cooking.

How do you clean a wood cutting board?

Wooden cutting boards should be cleaned with soap and hot water, but it is important to note that unlike plastic cutting boards, you should avoid soaking a wooden cutting board in water or placing it in the dishwasher.

Hand-washing your board on all sides and placing it in a drying rack so it can dry on all sides equally is all you need to do!

After washing my cutting board it feels "fuzzy"...how do I fix this?

After washing your cutting board, you may notice that the board no longer feels as smooth as it did when you received it. This is due to the minuscule wood fibers swelling then drying unevenly. In woodworking circles, you'll hear this referred to as "grain raising".

Before your board was shipped, the wood grain was raised and sanded down to minimize the need for the end-user to do so. However, if your board feels fuzzy, you can lightly rub the board with a gray Scotch-Brite pad or steel wool to smooth out the fuzzies.

How often to I need to oil my cutting / charcuterie board?

Your Zwitch Woodworking products arrive treated with mineral oil. However, over time you might notice that your board is looking dry or scratched or retains more water than it used to. This is a great time to add another coat of mineral oil to refresh the surface and the rich, deep color of the wood.

Over time, the time between applications of mineral oil should decrease, as the board will only retain so much mineral oil.

Where can I purchase food-grade mineral oil?

Food-grade mineral oil is available at pharmacies and department stores. You'll also find "cutting board oil" at home stores and woodworking specialty shops; these are usually a (more expensive) proprietary blend of mineral oil, Vitamin E and/or beeswax.