It's Surprisingly Easy to Care For Our Boards
Our boards are incredibly easy to maintain. Many of you already know we refinish every board we create forever free of charge. However, the Fifth & Cherry community has grown a lot this past holiday season and we’d like to take a minute to share with you the best way to care for your new board.
Washing
Hand wash your Fifth & Cherry board with mild dish soap and rinse well with hot water. Do not submerge the board in water or let it soak for any period of time. Doing so could damage the board construction or cause warping. Also, never wash a wood cutting board in the dishwasher.
For surface stains, sprinkle baking soda or coarse salt over your dry board and scrub with sliced lemon. Rinse well with hot water. The lemon will also deodorize your board or you can spritz the board with white distilled vinegar.
Drying
Your Fifth & Cherry board should be fully dry before putting it away. Towel dry your board first and then allow it to air dry for several hours or overnight. To ensure that your board dries evenly, set the board upright on its side (rotating sides occasionally) or place it in a drying rack so that all sides are equally exposed to the air. Do not set your board on its face to dry, or on a damp towel or drying pad, as the trapped moisture could damage the board.
Maintenance
To keep your Fifth & Cherry board in prime condition between refinishing, maintain your board with a wood conditioner. There are several wood conditioners on the market, some specifically for cutting boards, that you can find at your local hardware store; but you can also just use food-safe mineral oil or beeswax. Do not use cooking oils like vegetable and olive oils, as they can turn rancid quickly.
Once a month (depending on usage level), apply a small amount of your desired conditioner to the face of your board using a lint-free cloth. Make sure that the board is well covered and allow it to soak in overnight. Wipe off any excess oil with a lint-free cloth and repeat the process on the other side of your board.
Hand wash your Fifth & Cherry board with mild dish soap and rinse well with hot water. Do not submerge the board in water or let it soak for any period of time. Doing so could damage the board construction or cause warping. Also, never wash a wood cutting board in the dishwasher.
For surface stains, sprinkle baking soda or coarse salt over your dry board and scrub with sliced lemon. Rinse well with hot water. The lemon will also deodorize your board or you can spritz the board with white distilled vinegar.
Drying
Your Fifth & Cherry board should be fully dry before putting it away. Towel dry your board first and then allow it to air dry for several hours or overnight. To ensure that your board dries evenly, set the board upright on its side (rotating sides occasionally) or place it in a drying rack so that all sides are equally exposed to the air. Do not set your board on its face to dry, or on a damp towel or drying pad, as the trapped moisture could damage the board.
Maintenance
To keep your Fifth & Cherry board in prime condition between refinishing, maintain your board with a wood conditioner. There are several wood conditioners on the market, some specifically for cutting boards, that you can find at your local hardware store; but you can also just use food-safe mineral oil or beeswax. Do not use cooking oils like vegetable and olive oils, as they can turn rancid quickly.
Once a month (depending on usage level), apply a small amount of your desired conditioner to the face of your board using a lint-free cloth. Make sure that the board is well covered and allow it to soak in overnight. Wipe off any excess oil with a lint-free cloth and repeat the process on the other side of your board.
With proper care, your Fifth & Cherry board will maintain its natural beauty and remain at the center of your kitchen for years to come.
Photos: Shannon Morgan @biggreeneggfoodie