Woods and Wax

How Often Should You Oil a Cutting Board?

By Jonathan Riedel

Founder of Woods and Wax with over a decade of business and marketing experience and several years building handcrafted hardwood cutting boards in Utah

Oiling your cutting board is one of the simplest ways to protect your investment—but how often should you actually do it?


Why Oiling Is Important

Wood is porous, meaning it:

  • Absorbs moisture
  • Dries out over time

Without oiling, boards can:

  • Crack
  • Warp
  • Lose durability

General Rule: How Often to Oil

New Boards

Oil:

  • Once a day for the first week
  • Once a week for the first month

Regular Use

Oil:

  • Every 2–4 weeks

Heavy Use (Daily Cooking)

Oil:

  • Once a week

Signs Your Board Needs Oiling

Look for:

  • Dull or faded appearance
  • Dry texture
  • Water soaking in quickly

Best Oil to Use

Use food-safe conditioners designed for wood.

👉 Shop natural options here:
https://woodsandwax.com/product/cutting-board-care-kit/


How to Oil Your Board (Quick Steps)

  1. Clean and dry the board
  2. Apply oil evenly
  3. Let sit overnight
  4. Wipe off excess

Final Thoughts

Oiling isn’t optional—it’s essential.

👉 Keep your board performing like new with products from:
woodsandwax.com