12 Tools to Clean Your Wooden Cutting Board

On vacation in Manchester, Vermont, last summer, I fell in love… with a wooden cutting board. It had soft, bullnose corners and a pretty grain. I loved it so much, I lugged all six pounds of it on a nature walk, since I didn’t have time to drop it off between activities. Imagine my grief when, about a month ago, I found a crack cleaving the edge.

Unfortunately, this can happen to anybody. We’re so inundated with information today about the ills of plastic kitchenware that many of us are switching to wooden cutting boards before understanding how to maintain them. The good news is that if you take proper care of a wooden cutting board, it’ll love you back for many years to come. I rounded up everything you need to get the job done, including a best-in-class mineral oil and a surprising cleaning tool, starting at $3.

Best Tools to Clean a Wooden Cutting Board

Winco Bench Scraper

My bench scraper is a speedy way to clear debris off my wooden cutting board and into the trash or compost bin. Opt for a metal one to gently dislodge stuck-on peels or bits of food, especially if you didn’t get to the dishes right away, without risking chipping a plastic tool. If you want something gentle for crumbs, I like this set — it’s intended for sourdough, but the broom also works well on boards. 

Walrus Oil Cutting Board Feet

Half the battle is keeping your board as dry as possible, so here’s a hot tip: Add feet to your cutting board. One of the easiest ways to prevent a board from warping is to keep it raised off the countertop, allowing air to flow underneath while it dries. These screw easily into the base of a board; apply them to the side without the juice groove, if that’s a feature on yours. 

Molly’s Suds Unscented Liquid Dish Soap

Always, always, always wash both sides of a cutting board. Drying and wetting it evenly is one of the best ways to avoid warping and cracks. There are only a few types of dish soap I’d recommend for cleaning wooden boards. I trust this unscented soap from Molly’s Suds because the viscous liquid lathers to a pleasant foam without formaldehyde, synthetic dyes, volatile organic compounds, and other troubling ingredients. I also like this unscented version from Clark’s, which is a dedicated cutting board soap.

Howard Cutting Board Cleaner

I think of this cutting board cleaner as an equivalent to conditioning after shampoo. Work the creamy cleaner into a lather on your cutting board to apply a gentle layer of conditioning from lemon oil and coconut oil between heavier applications of oil or wax.

Clark’s Cutting Board Spray Cleaner

This is an excellent option for heavy cutting boards that are hard to lug to the sink, or built-in butcher block countertops or carts. Simply spray the board generously, wait a few minutes, and wipe it clean with the included microfiber cloth. The spray lifts most stains and residue, while also deodorizing the block, so it’s ready for its next job.

John Boos 2-Piece All-Natural Care Set

This duo from John Boos is an essential step in my cutting board regimen. I apply the Mystery Oil once to a completely dry board every 4 to 6 weeks, or whenever it’s starting to look a little dried out — you have to feel your particular board’s timing out. I let that soak in overnight before applying a thin layer of Board Cream to seal in the oil. This combination prevents my boards from absorbing excess moisture, bacteria, and odors.

Debetool Cutting Board Oil Wax Applicator and Scrub Brush Set

While a regular sponge works for daily cleaning, I suggest periodically using the scrub brush included in this set with a slurry of baking soda and water to scrub anything out. Try making a thick paste from 3 parts baking soda and 1 part water.

Meanwhile, the sponge applicator is your best friend for evenly distributing cutting board oil, cream, or wax onto the board. Make sure you apply the oil and the cream to the entire surface of the board, not just the side you favor for cutting.

Clark’s Cutting Board Care Kit

A good alternative to the set from John Boos, this set from Clark’s includes a wax instead of a cream formula for the second step — it’s simply a matter of individual preference. Apply a layer of mineral oil, let it soak in for a couple of hours, then follow with the cutting board wax.

Whole Foods Market Organic White Distilled Vinegar

For heavy-duty deodorizing, I recommend a solution of 1 part vinegar to 4 parts water. Dip a paper towel or microfiber cloth and wipe your board down on both sides before washing it with soap and water. This solution also works for stains and mold — use your judgment here, though, and replace your board if the mold is widespread.

Morton Kosher Salt

Kosher salt is another handy helper for everyday cleaning. Mix it in a paste with 1 part baking soda and 1 part water for heavy-duty stain-fighting power. Or, sprinkle your board with salt and rub the surface with half a lemon to help rid boards of odors.

3M 220-Grit Sandpaper

Sandpaper is heavy artillery against stains or knife marks — I suggest breaking it out for occasional use, when facing damage that won’t budge. Gently buff out as fine a layer of your board as you can, brush off the residue, wash and dry it completely, and reseal with a couple of layers of mineral oil.