Wood Care Guide

Caring for Your New Board

Your handcrafted cutting or charcuterie board is built to last a lifetime — but like all natural wood products, it benefits from regular care. Follow these simple guidelines to keep your board looking beautiful and performing at its best for years to come.

Cleaning

Do

  • Wash your board by hand with warm water and mild dish soap after each use
  • Rinse thoroughly and dry immediately with a clean towel
  • Stand the board upright or prop it at an angle to allow air to circulate on all sides while drying
  • For odors or stains, scrub with coarse salt and half a lemon, then rinse and dry

Don't

  • Do not put your board in the dishwasher. The heat and prolonged moisture will cause warping, cracking, and splitting
  • Do not soak your board in water or leave it sitting in standing water
  • Do not leave your board in direct sunlight for extended periods, as this can cause drying and cracking

Oiling & Conditioning

Regular oiling is the single most important thing you can do to extend the life of your board. Oil prevents the wood from drying out, cracking, and absorbing odors.

How often to oil

  • New boards: Oil 3–5 times in the first month to fully saturate the wood
  • Ongoing: Oil once a month, or whenever the wood looks dry or lighter in color
  • A simple test: sprinkle a few drops of water on the surface. If they bead up, you're good. If they absorb quickly, it's time to oil.

What to use

  • Board butter (included with your purchase) — a blend of food-safe mineral oil and beeswax that conditions and protects
  • Food-grade mineral oil (available at most pharmacies and kitchen stores)
  • Avoid: olive oil, vegetable oil, coconut oil, or any cooking oil — these will go rancid inside the wood over time

How to oil

  1. Make sure your board is clean and completely dry
  2. Apply a generous amount of board butter or mineral oil to the surface
  3. Rub it in with a clean cloth or paper towel, working with the grain
  4. Let it soak in for at least 20 minutes (overnight is even better)
  5. Wipe off any excess oil with a clean cloth
  6. Repeat on all sides, including the edges and bottom

Removing Stains & Odors

  • Stains: Sprinkle coarse salt on the stained area and scrub with the cut side of a lemon. Rinse and dry thoroughly, then re-oil.
  • Odors: Same method as above. The lemon's acidity neutralizes odors naturally.
  • Deep scratches or knife marks: Lightly sand with fine-grit sandpaper (220 grit) in the direction of the grain, then re-oil the entire board.

Storage

  • Store your board in a dry location with good air circulation
  • Avoid storing flat against a wall or surface for long periods — stand it upright when possible to allow both sides to breathe
  • Keep away from heat sources like stovetops, ovens, and heating vents

Questions?

If you have any questions about caring for your DeepWoods piece, we're happy to help. Contact us at DeepwoodsConsolidatedLLC@gmail.com or via Shopify chat.