The Madison Cutting Board

Cutting Board Uses

Use your cutting board in the following ways:

• To cut fruits, vegetables, cheeses, etc.
• As a serving tray for a charcuterie or cheese board
• As a decorative wall hanging in your kitchen

When using your cutting board:

• Avoid exposing it to excessive moisture for long periods of time, as this could cause it to warp.
• Avoid using it as a hot plate, as this could cause it to dry out and eventually crack.

Cutting Board Cleaning

You should wash your cutting board after each use. First, dislodge any larger pieces of food with a nylon bristled brush or dishcloth. For hard-to-remove pieces of food, try using a flat, steel bench scraper or spatula. Once you’ve removed the larger pieces of food, quickly and carefully wet the board’s cutting surface with warm or hot soapy water. Then, scrub the board clean with a dish brush, dishcloth, or sponge. Make sure to scrub the entire surface of the cutting board, including the sides and bottom of the board. After you’ve finished scrubbing, rinse the board clean, dry it with a dish towel, and place it on its side to dry for at least an hour.

When cleaning your cutting board, DO NOT:

• Use steel wool or a steel brush, as these things can damage the surface of your board, creating cracks for bacteria and other germs to hide.
• Use a dishwasher to clean your board, as this can warp and split the wood.
• Immerse your cutting board under water, as the wood can absorb water and warp.
• Wash your cutting board with bleach, as this can stain the wood and cause it to dry out.
• Lay your cutting board flat on one side to dry, as this can cause the wood to warp.

Cutting Board Maintenance

You can extend the life of your wood cutting board by applying beeswax oil wood conditioner on a regular basis. This food-safe conditioner moisturizes cutting boards, keeping them from becoming overly dry and brittle. At the same time, it keeps liquids from absorbing into boards, which can cause the growth of bacteria. Beeswax oil also adds an elegant, polished finish to wood cutting boards.

Apply the beeswax oil to your cutting board by dabbing a few drops of it onto a lint-free cloth, then rubbing it into the entire surface of the board. Let the board dry out on your countertop for roughly an hour, allowing the beeswax oil to completely absorb into the board before returning it to storage

Note: As real wood adjusts to its environment, it can move and shift, which sometimes leads to modest warping and cracking. This is to be expected, and is not considered a defect.

Cutting Board Storage

We recommend storing your cutting board in a well ventilated area, preferably in a vertical position. By storing your cutting board vertically, you prevent water from finding its way underneath your board and potentially warping it. Storing your board vertically also keeps dust and debris from building up on the cutting surface while in storage.

You may also opt to use your cutting board as an accent piece by hanging it from the kitchen wall. Not only does this storage method improve the aesthetics of your kitchen, it’s also an excellent way to store cutting boards vertically.