If your wooden kitchen products are properly maintained they can last for life times these instructions are valid for wooden spoons as they also are for wooden cutting boards.

1. Start with a clean wooden item. Be sure your cutting board and spoons are as clean as possible and thoroughly dry.
2. Apply the oil. Using a clean, soft cloth or paper towel, apply the oil in an even layer over the wood.
3. Let it soak in for a few minutes.
4. Remove the excess oil.
5. If you like you can repeat these steps.

Oils that are Safe and Recommended

Beeswax

Beeswax is also a popular choice for cutting board maintenance. Its a natural wax produced in the bee hives of honey bees and has a variety of applications. Use beeswax to hydrate, shine, and waterproof a cutting board.

You can buy conditioners in readily available bottles such as Howard’s Butcher Block Conditioner or melt 1 part beeswax and combine with 4 parts mineral oil in a pot to make your own blend.

This is a good option for those allergic to bee pollen or propolis (beeswax) or simply those that are strict vegan.

Mineral Oil

Mineral oil (sometimes called liquid paraffin) is a non-toxic, non-drying product derived from petroleum that is colorless, odorless, and flavorless. Its properties prevent water absorption, which makes food-grade mineral oil (as determined by the Federal Drug Administration) a popular choice for wooden kitchen items such as wooden spoons, bowls, and, of course, cutting boards and butcher blocks. The key word here is food-safe, as there are types of mineral oils that are not safe for human consumption; these are often used as lubricants for machinery or found in auto or hardware stores.

If you are worried about selecting the right mineral oil, product labeled as “white mineral oil” are considered food safe, as these are refined to a certain degree past other oils. Always make sure to carefully read the product’s labeling if you are unsure about its proper use. The safest route of course is to buy a mineral oil specifically blended for use in cutting boards such as Howard’s Cutting Board Oil or Boos Block Mystery Oil.

Regular application of mineral oil will prevent cutting boards from becoming dry and brittle, which can cause a cracked board. A board that is treated with oil also prevents liquids from penetrating the board, which is often the source of germs and bacteria.

Coconut Oil (Refractionated)

Coconut oils have recently become highly popular for a variety of purposes, especially in beauty, because it is rich is saturated fats that are good for skin health. Unfortunately, all fats exposed to air eventually go rancid and coconut oil is not immune (even though some bloggers claim otherwise). However, a select group of coconut oils are refined using a refractionation process, which is a fancy way of staying that the oils have been steam distilled. During this distillation process, coconut oil is separated so that the long-chain triglycerides (LCT) are removed and only the medium chain triglycerides (MCT) are left. This leaves an almost pure oil that will NOT go rancid, is shelf stable and is superior to most other oils for treating not just cutting boards, but your kitchen utensils, salad bowls, countertops… you get the idea. Note that not all MCT coconut oils should be considered food safe!