Cutting Board Care
Wooden cutting boards are made to handle everyday chopping, slicing, and food preparation, but even the best boards need regular maintenance. Frequent washing, moisture exposure, and daily use can leave the wood looking dull, feeling rough, or developing cracks over time.
Learning how to care for a wooden cutting board starts with a simple routine: clean it after every use, dry it thoroughly, and condition the wood with oil and wax when needed.
From caring for a brand-new board to refreshing an old favorite or restoring a well-used piece, RMP Finishes offers cutting board care kits with the right products and tools to keep your wooden kitchenware looking its best.
How to care for Wooden & Bamboo Cutting BoardS
The same four-step routine works for wooden or bamboo cutting boards, butcher blocks, charcuterie boards, wooden bowls, and utensils.
1.
Clean after every use
Wash with warm, soapy water and a soft cloth or sponge. Rinse well and pat dry with a towel. For stains or odors, scrub with baking soda and a damp cloth or rub with half a lemon, then rinse.
2.
Sand out deep cuts
When knife marks get deep, sand the whole surface evenly with sanding pads or an orbital sander, working from medium (lower numbers) to finer (higher numbers) grits. Wipe away the dust before you oil.
3.
Oil, then wax
Apply Cutting Board Oil with a clean cloth and let it soak in for a 5-10 minutes, then wipe off the excess. Work at 70ºF or warmer. Finish with a thin coat of Cutting Board Wax, then buff to a satin sheen.
4.
Store it dry
Stand the board upright or at an angle so air reaches both sides. Never leave it soaking or run it through the dishwasher. Keep it out of direct heat and sunlight for extended periods of time.
Cutting raw meat, poultry, or seafood? Food-safety guidance from the University of California Master Food Preservers is to wash with hot, soapy water, then sanitize with 1 tablespoon of unscented liquid chlorine bleach per gallon of water, let it stand of the surface a few minutes, and rinse.
The Complete Wood Cutting Board Care Kit
Every cutting board needs a little care, but not every board needs the same care. Find the right care kit for your wooden cutting board.
Whether you just brought one home, your favorite has gone dull, or you’re rescuing a thrifted find, we’ve put together oil, wax, and the right tools into a kit built around what you’re actually doing. Choose the one that fits your board, add it to your cart, and you’re set. Every kit includes our care card with simple steps for oiling and waxing, so you’ll always know what to do next.
It’s What’s On The Inside That Counts
100% Plant Based Formula
Petroleum / Mineral Oil Free
Certified Vegan Friendly
Conditions & Protects
Made In Tennessee
Our cutting board oil and wax products are not your typical internet make-your-own recipe. Each ingredient was thoughtfully curated to achieve complete being completely free of petroleum, like mineral oil, and animal products, like beeswax. This unique 100% plant-powered formula keeps your wooden or bamboo cutting boards in tip-top shape.
Cutting Board Oil Ingredients
- Palm Fruit Oil (RSPO-certified)
- Refined Almond Oil
- Grapefruit Seed Oil
- Rice Bran Wax
- Castor Bean Wax
Cutting Board Wax Ingredients
- Refined Almond Oil
- Carnauba Wax
- Rice Bran Wax
- Castor Bean Wax
Oil or Wax? Both
Oil Soaks In Deep
Every wash pulls moisture out of the wood. Cutting Board Oil puts it back, conditioning the fibers from the inside so the board doesn’t dry out, crack, or warp. Use it on new boards, after sanding, and any time the wood looks pale or thirsty.
Wax Seals On Top
Cutting Board Wax fills the open grain and leaves a water-beading layer, so liquids, juices and stains stay on the surface instead of soaking in. Apply it after the oil has absorbed. Re-wax about once a month or as soon as water stops beading.
Shop By Step
A healthy board needs three things: a smooth surface, oil that soaks into the grain, and wax that keeps water out. Pick what you need, choose a size, and add it to your cart without leaving this page.
Condition & Seal
The two-step maintenance routine for every wooden or bamboo cutting board.
Cutting Board Oil — Organic & Food-Safe
Cutting Board Wax
Prepare & Apply
The essentials for preparing, restoring, and applying your oil and wax.
Recycled White Cotton Rags
Surfprep R.A.D. Pads Pro
Surfprep Discs
For Makers Who Sell Boards
Send every board home with the right care. Our case packs and other board making supplies give woodworkers, shops, and gift sellers a finish to include with each sale. Plus, our care cards tell customers exactly how to maintain your masterpiece.
Buying for a business? RMP Pro members get 25% off retail and free shipping on orders of $125 or more.
