Caring for Your Hand-crafted Hardwood Board

Wood is a natural, "breathing" material. While it is incredibly hardy, it is also sensitive to its environment. To prevent warping, cupping, or the splitting of those precision glue joints, a little bit of specific TLC goes a long way. Here is our guide to keeping your board in peak condition.

1. The Golden Rule: Keep it Dry

The most important thing to remember is that wood and water are a tricky combination. Wood fibres naturally absorb moisture, which causes them to swell. If one side gets wetter than the other, the board will "cup" (bend), and the stress can cause even the strongest glue joints to fail.

• The "Damp Cloth" Method: To clean, simply wipe the surface with a clean, damp cloth and a drop of mild dish soap. Wipe away any residue with a second damp cloth.
• Avoid the tap: Unlike mass-produced plastic boards, hardwood boards do not need a "bath." Minimising water contact is the best way to preserve the timber and the glue.
• Never soak or submerge: Your board should never sit in a sink or a puddle of water.
• Strictly no dishwashers: The combination of high heat and prolonged saturation will ruin a handmade board in a single cycle.

2. Drying: The Vertical Rule

How you dry your board is just as important as how you clean it. After wiping it down with a damp cloth, immediately buff away any surface moisture with a dry tea towel.

Always leave your board to dry on its side (vertically). Propping it up allows air to circulate evenly around both large surfaces. If you lay even a slightly damp board flat on a worktop, the top side dries faster than the bottom, which is the primary cause of warping and "cupping."

3. Mind the Temperature

Wood reacts to temperature just as it does to moisture. Extreme heat or cold can cause the timber to expand and contract rapidly, leading to cracks or "checking."

• Avoid the Hob: Never leave your board sitting next to a hot stove or on top of a warm oven.
• Stay away from Radiators: Don't store your board near a direct heat source, which can "bake" the natural moisture out of the wood.
• Avoid Extreme Cold: Similarly, don't store your board in an unheated outhouse or a damp, cold larder, as this can cause the wood to become brittle.

4. Rejuvenate with Oil & Wax

To keep the wood stable and create a natural barrier against moisture and bacteria, you should "season" your board regularly.

• When to oil: If the wood looks dull, feels dry, or if water no longer "beads" on the surface, it’s time for a top-up.
• What to use: Use food-grade mineral oil or a dedicated board cream (mineral oil mixed with wax).
• What to avoid: Never use kitchen oils like olive, vegetable, or rapeseed oil. These are organic fats that will go rancid over time, leaving your board smelling unpleasant.

At a Glance: The Do's and Don'ts

Treat your board with respect, and it will be a faithful companion in your kitchen for decades.