How to Care for a Wooden Chopping Board
A good wooden board will last years, decades even, if you treat it right. The good news is it doesn't take much. A bit of everyday care and the odd top-up of oil, and it'll only get better with age.
Here's how I'd look after one.
Everyday cleaning
After you've used it, wash it by hand with warm water and a little washing-up liquid. Give it a scrub to lift off any food, rinse it, and dry it straight away with a towel. Don't leave it sitting in water and don't let it air-dry flat, as that's what leads to warping. Stand it on its edge so air gets to both sides.
Two things to never do: don't soak it, and don't put it in the dishwasher. The heat and the long soak will dry the wood out, warp it, and eventually crack it. Hand-washing takes thirty seconds and the board will thank you for it.
Keeping the wood fed
Wood needs a bit of moisture to stay healthy, the same way your hands do in winter. Every few weeks, or whenever the surface starts to look dry or pale, give it a re-oil.
Your Debrus board is finished with Rubio Monocoat, a hardwax oil, so it's best to top it up with a compatible maintenance oil rather than a generic mineral oil. I currently use osmo top oil, a little goes a long way. Wipe it on with a cloth, work it in along the grain, leave it to soak in, then buff off any excess with a dry cloth. That's it.
Stains and marks
For a stubborn stain or a lingering smell, like garlic or onion, sprinkle some coarse salt over it and rub it with half a lemon. Leave it a few minutes, then rinse and dry.
As for the odd scratch or knife mark: that's the board earning its keep. Most marks fade with regular oiling, and they're part of what gives a wooden board its character. If one really bothers you, a light sand with fine paper and a re-oil will sort it.
Where to keep it
Somewhere dry with a bit of air around it. Standing up is ideal. Avoid leaving it flat on a damp worktop or shut in a cupboard where moisture can get trapped.
That's all there is to it. A few minutes here and there and your board will be around for a very long time.
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