How to Restore a Wooden Cutting Board to Like-New Condition

Wooden cutting boards are one of the most versatile workhorses in the kitchen. After all, almost every recipe requires some form of chopping, slicing, or dicing. But over time, knife marks, stinky food odors, and a dry surface can render your wooden cutting board unusable.

Fortunately, with the right steps, you can likely get your cutting board back into working order.  We chatted with two experts who shared their step-by-step tips for restoring and maintaining your wooden cutting board so it stays functional (and hydrated).

When Your Cutting Board Needs a Refresh

Not sure if your wooden cutting board could use some TLC? Kitchenware expert Lisa Bosio says it’s easy to tell—once you know what to look for. "If it is warped, has a weird smell, or feels soft (like the wood is wet), it’s time to give your cutting board some serious care," Bosio says.

"Less obvious signs that you still want to look for are deep knife cuts, or if it looks dry, it probably is and needs to be oiled and sealed," Bosio adds. "While normal knife marks are OK, deep knife grooves can trap bacteria and give your cutting board a weird smell that isn’t safe for meal prep."

To properly maintain your cutting board, Bosio recommends oiling it once a month. (If your cutting board looks dry, you can do so more frequently.)

How to Restore a Wooden Cutting Board

A frequently-used wooden cutting board can start to look dull, stained, or rough over time, but that doesn’t mean it’s beyond saving. With some cleaning, sanding, and conditioning techniques, you can restore it to a smooth, food-safe surface.

To begin, thoroughly clean your cutting board.

1. Using mild dish soap, a soft cloth, and warm water, thoroughly clean your wooden cutting board. Set aside and allow to air-dry fully for a few hours.
2. Once the cutting board is dry, sprinkle coarse salt evenly over the surface.
3. Cut a lemon in half with a knife. Using one of the lemon halves, rub the salt into the wooden cutting board.
4. Let the lemon and salt sit on the board for 15 minutes. Then, rinse the surface with warm water.
5. Allow the board to air dry completely. (It should take a few hours.)

Next, you'll want to sand your board.

1. Grab 100- or 200-grit sandpaper. 200-grit is suitable for light scratches, while 100-grit works for deeper grooves and stains.
2. Sand with the grain of the cutting board and make sure you’re evenly hitting the surface, advises Bosio.
3. Using a dry, clean towel, wipe away any dust from the surface, and let the board air-dry completely for a few hours.
4. Re-sand the board using 220-grit sandpaper.
5. Take another clean and dry towel and wipe away any dust from the second sanding.

And finally, be sure to condition your board to complete its restoration.

1. Apply a generous coat of food-safe mineral oil (or natural oil, like hemp) to the board using a towel.
2. Let the oil soak into the board overnight. “Using too much oil won’t allow the wood to breathe properly and affect how evenly it dries,” Bosio says. “Let the oil sit overnight, then wipe off any excess in the morning.”
3. Apply a beeswax cream or board conditioner evenly over the surface to lock in moisture and protect the wood.

How to Fix Minor Warping

While a warped wooden cutting board isn’t always salvageable, if the issue is minor, there’s hope.

Below, professional bladesmith Eytan Zias explains how.

1. First, Zias says to determine which side of the cutting board is concave and which is convex. In this case, concave means curving inward and dry; convex means curving outward and wet.
2. Using a clean towel, apply a generous amount of food-safe mineral oil to the concave side. “This encourages the wood fibers to expand, which you want when you are trying to flatten the board,” Zias says.
3. Next, tape a piece of plastic food wrap over the convex side. “This 'locks in' the moisture on the wet side, so it doesn't dry out too fast while you continue to oil the dry side every day,” Zias explains.
4. Place your wooden cutting board on a flat surface, with the concave side facing downward. Take a baking sheet and place it on the hump of the cutting board. Zias recommends adding a small weight (like a flour or sugar bag) on top of the baking sheet to further help flatten the board.
5. Let the wooden board sit in this position for about a week. “The wood needs time to slowly adjust to the new humidity levels and 'move' back into place,” Zias says.
6. Once the board is flat, remove the plastic wrap and tape. Immediately oil the entire board (all six sides) and apply a food-safe beeswax cream to seal in moisture.

Common Mistakes That Shorten the Life of Wooden Cutting Boards

Now that it has been fully restored, keep your wooden cutting board in tip-top shape by avoiding these common snafus.

• Not Storing Vertically: "Air needs to circulate on both sides of the board to help the moisture evaporate and prevent one side from staying damp," Bosio says, "which is often the cause of a board warping or cracking."
• Not Conditioning Properly: Never use cooking oils or petroleum products to condition your board, Zias says that these can spoil and become rancid. Opt for mineral oil for the best results.
• Sanding a Damp Board: "You want to make sure the wood fibers are stable," Bosio explains. Before sanding, "it should not have any food debris, grease, or moisture on the surface."
• Cleaning in the Dishwasher: Bosio refers to this as "a surefire way to ruin your cutting board forever."
• Oiling a Damp Board: Zias explains that this seals in moisture rather than creating a protective barrier to keep moisture out.
• Allowing Liquids to Sit on the Surface: Wipe and rinse spills and juices as soon as you can, rather than letting them sit for longer. "This will soak into the wood and could affect the joints and could cause splitting or a board to warp," Bosio says.