How to care for a cutting board: oil + wax (guide)

Q: Can I use a regular edible oil (olive, sunflower)?

We don't recommend it. Common kitchen oils go rancid and start to smell. Use an oil made for boards — Cutting Board Oil is natural, food-safe (NSF) and won't go rancid.

Q: Is the oil safe for food contact?

Yes. Both Cutting Board Oil and Wood Wax are certified food-safe (NSF), so once dry you can use the board for food without worry.

Q: How long does the oil take to soak in?

Let it soak in for 6–12 hours, then wipe off the excess. On a new board apply two coats and let it cure for 1–2 days before use.

21/07/2026

Wooden cutting board treated with Walrus Oil

GUIDE · KITCHEN CARE

How to care for a cutting board

oilingwaxmaintenance

A wooden cutting board is in daily contact with water, knife and food. Without regular care it dries out, cracks and greys — but with the right treatment it will last for years and look like new.

The key is simple: oil it and seal it with wax. The oil penetrates the wood and nourishes it from within, the wax then seals the surface against moisture. Cutting Board Oil and Wood Wax from Walrus Oil are food-safe (NSF certified), so you don't have to worry about using the board for food after treatment.

6–12 hoil soaking in

NSFsafe for food contact

1–2 dayscuring a new board

every few monthsrefresh for heavy use

01Why oil a board

Wood is a natural material — it absorbs and releases moisture depending on its surroundings. An untreated board gets damp after every wash and dries out again, and over time it warps, cracks and the surface greys. Cutting Board Oil prevents this: it penetrates deep into the fibers, nourishes the wood from within and brings out its natural grain and color.

How to tell the board is asking for oil

the surface is dry, grey or faded,
the wood feels rough to the touch and the pores go “fuzzy”,
water no longer soaks in evenly, forming maps,
you start to see the first hairline cracks.

Apply the oil evenly — the wood absorbs it at different rates and careless application can cause uneven color.

Which wood is best for a cutting board

Boards suit hard woods with fine pores — they stand up better to the knife and moisture and are easier to maintain. Oil-and-wax care is the same for all of them; they differ only in how fast they absorb oil.

Wood	Properties	Care
Beech	hard, fine, affordable	ideal to start with
Oak	very durable, bold grain	pores absorb more oil
Walnut	dark, hard, premium	looks beautiful with oil
Maple	light, dense, hygienic	a favorite with butchers
Bamboo	hard (grass, not wood)	absorbs oil more slowly

Board hygiene

Wood has natural antibacterial properties, but a few rules still pay off:

for raw meat and vegetables ideally use two boards (or two sides),
after use wash by hand with lukewarm water and dry it upright,
natural refresh: rub with coarse salt and half a lemon, let it sit and rinse,
an oiled board repels moisture → fewer bacteria and odors.

02First oil treatment

Walrus Oil Cutting Board Oil – oil for cutting boards

Cutting Board Oil is a 100% natural oil developed specifically for boards, utensils and cutting surfaces in contact with food. It contains no solvents, it deeply saturates the wood and is certified as food-safe (NSF).

Wash the board and let it dry completely (ideally overnight).
Sand a rougher or new board lightly with 220-grit paper and wipe off the dust.
Apply a generous coat of oil to the whole surface and edges — by hand or with a cloth.
Let the oil soak in for 6–12 hours.
Wipe off the excess with a clean cloth — the surface should be silky, not greasy.

On a new board apply 2 coats and after the last coat let it cure for 1–2 days before exposing it to water and everyday use.

03Wax seal

The oil nourishes the wood, the wax seals it. Once the oil has dried, apply a thin coat of Wood Wax (beeswax and coconut based), let it sit for 15–30 minutes and buff off the excess with a cloth. You'll get a water-repellent barrier, a silky surface and a longer-lasting finish.

★ THE BASICS

Cutting Board Oilnourishes the wood from within · food-safe (NSF)Buy ›

Wood Waxwax seal · beeswax + coconut · food-safeBuy ›

Cutting Board Care Kitoil + wax + cloth in one set · save moneyBuy ›

Oil or wax? Best of all, both

	Cutting Board Oil	Wood Wax
What it does	nourishes the wood from within	seals the surface, water-repellent
When	always first	after the oil has dried
Working time	6–12 h to soak in	15–30 min, then buff
Refresh	every few months	as needed, quick

The fastest way is the Cutting Board Care Kit set — oil, wax and a polishing cloth together.

04Cleaning, washing and refreshing

How to treat a board with Walrus Oil oil and wax

Everyday washing: by hand, with lukewarm water and mild soap. Never soak the board or put it in the dishwasher.

When to refresh: as soon as the wood looks dry or faded. Wash the board, let it dry, sand out deeper nicks and apply a fresh coat of oil (and wax if needed).

usually a refresh every now and then is enough, for heavily used boards every few months,
regular care prevents cracking, drying out and premature wear.

Dirty board? Clean it gently first

Before you start oiling, clean the board gently. Instead of harsh chemicals, reach for a specialized cleaner — it removes grease, food residue and odors without drying out the wood or damaging the oil layer. After cleaning, let the board dry and touch it up with oil if needed.

Howard Cutting Board Cleaner – cleaner for wooden cutting boards

Howard Cutting Board Cleanergentle board cleaning instead of harsh chemicals · won't dry out the woodView product ›

Avoid the dishwasher, long soaking and harsh chemicals — they dry out the wood and damage the oil layer.

Bonus: wooden handles and utensils

The same care benefits wooden knife handles and utensils. For those (and to protect blades against corrosion) Walrus Oil Knife Oil.

Knife Oilblade corrosion protection + care for wooden handlesBuy ›

The board care cycle

Board care isn't a one-off — it repeats over and over. Here's what a healthy cycle looks like:

1
After each usewash by hand, dry upright
2
Once a weekcheck, top up with oil if needed
3
Every 1–2 monthsoil + buff with wax
4
As neededsand out nicks + oil

↻ runs automatically · click a step

Step 1 · After each use

Cutting Board CleanerA gentle cleaner for wooden boards. Before oiling it removes grease, food residue and odors — without drying out the wood or damaging the oil layer. Ideal for regular cleaning instead of harsh chemicals.View product ›

Step 2 · Once a week

Cutting Board OilA natural board oil, certified food-safe (NSF). A weekly top-up keeps the wood nourished and protects it from drying and cracking. It soaks in deeply and brings out the grain.Buy ›

Step 3 · Every 1–2 months

Cutting Board OilOiling the wood — nourishes and protects from within, food-safe (NSF). Let it soak in for 6–12 h and wipe off the excess.Buy ›

Wood WaxSealing the surface with wax (beeswax + coconut) — adds a water-repellent barrier and a silky surface. Let it sit for 15–30 min and buff.Buy ›

Step 4 · As needed

Tri-Pro sanding discs 125 mm8 holes, grits K60–K600. For sanding out deeper nicks and a roughened surface before an oil refresh — creating a smooth base for even absorption.View product ›

Gallery: everything you can treat

Wooden cutting boards treated with oil — Cutting boards

Wooden dishes and utensils — Dishes and utensils

IN SHORT Board care in five points

before oiling, wash the board and let it dry completely (the dirt comes off with Howard Cleaner),
apply a generous coat of Cutting Board Oil, 6–12 h to soak in, wipe off the excess,
a new board = 2 coats + 1–2 days curing,
seal the surface with Wood Wax (15–30 min, buff),
wash by hand with lukewarm water, refresh every few months — no dishwasher or soaking.

🎁 Gift tip: Cutting Board Care Kit (oil + wax + polishing cloth) is a practical gift for anyone who loves a wooden board or enjoys cooking — nicely packaged and ready to use.

Choose your board care

Food-safe oils, waxes and sets from Walrus Oil for cutting boards and wooden dishes — all in one place.

Browse Walrus Oil kitchen care

Related guides

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

How often should I oil the board?

Oil a new board right away (2 coats), then refresh as soon as the wood looks dry or faded — for heavily used pieces roughly every few months.

Can I use a regular edible oil (olive, sunflower)?

We don't recommend it. Common kitchen oils go rancid and start to smell. Use an oil made for boards — Cutting Board Oil is natural, food-safe (NSF) and won't go rancid.

Do I have to use wax after the oil?

You don't have to, but we recommend it. The oil nourishes the wood, Wood Wax seals the surface and adds a water-repellent barrier. They work best together — e.g. in the Care Kit.

How should I clean the board so it isn't ruined?

By hand with lukewarm water and mild soap, or with the gentle Howard Cutting Board Cleaner. Avoid the dishwasher, long soaking and harsh chemicals — they dry out the wood.

Is the oil safe for food contact?

Yes. Both Cutting Board Oil and Wood Wax are certified food-safe (NSF), so once dry you can use the board for food without worry.

How long does the oil take to soak in?

Let it soak in for 6–12 hours, then wipe off the excess. On a new board apply two coats and let it cure for 1–2 days before use.