It’s easy to care for your new end grain cutting board. NEVER use serrated or “saw” type knives. The surface usually wipes clean with a slightly damp cloth. Refresh your board with mineral oil to darken the color and bring out nature’s “Character Markings” (See Beauty Marks). Although rare, these marks may be sap pockets, mineral stains or twigs attempting to escape to the outside world.

Avoid prolonged submersion in water. You may hand wash your board just as you would wash a plate by using dish washing liquid, warm water and a sponge. Rinse, wipe dry and let it air dry standing on its edge to speed the drying process. My end grain boards are filled with mineral oil to displace germs, but if you feel it necessary to disinfect your board, I recommend wiping it with diluted white vinegar.

I hate to break it to you but your board is dead! Avoid all products that promise to “feed”, “rejuvenate" or “restore” wood. But, even in death, your board’s capillary action will draw in mineral oil. Mineral oil is economical, food safe and, unlike food oils, will never become rancid. Find it in your drug store’s laxative department. If you use your board daily, maintain it with mineral oil weekly, or when it looks dry or feels like suede. Use about a tablespoon of oil per square foot of board. By hand, spread it evenly over the entire work surface. If your board drinks in all that oil, feel free to do it again. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes then wipe it dry. Treat both sides.

You may restore your board to baby bottom smoothness again with the abrasive side of a Scotch-Brite® scrub sponge. If you’re fussy, start with a rough green pad and finish off with the finer white pad. If you are really fussy and your kitchen tools include a random orbit sander, great! Use 150 through 1,000 grit paper. Follow your scrubbing/sanding with mineral oil.

The usual precautions apply: Do not machine wash. If accidentally ingested, do not induce vomiting. Side effects may include wine and cheese.