How To Use Roostmade Organic Wood Wax
Here are step-by-step illustrated instructions for how to use our organic wood wax to maintain your cutting board and keep it moisturized and protected so it will last longer!
The cutting board pictured below is an end-grain walnut butcher block. Made in 2014, it has been put through heavy use but properly maintained. For the purpose of this tutorial, we intentionally let it dry out for a couple months to demonstrate what a dried out cutting board looks like.
The cutting board pictured below is an end-grain walnut butcher block. Made in 2014, it has been put through heavy use but properly maintained. For the purpose of this tutorial, we intentionally let it dry out for a couple months to demonstrate what a dried out cutting board looks like.
Start with a clean and dry cutting board.
(Notice the how dried out the board is, it's ready for some of that Roostmade baby yeaaa)
Open up the can and grab two cotton cloths.
This is our favorite cloth. It's a paperless towel, made from organic cotton birds-eye fabric
Scoop some of the organic wood wax onto the cloth.
Start with a little. A little goes a long way.
Use the cloth to work the wax into the cutting board.
Really work it in there. The product is a mixture of oil and wax. The oil will be worked into the pores of the wood as you rub it in and the wax will create an additional protective layer on top.
Make sure to cover the entire cutting board.
Allow the product to absorb. Ideally, leave it overnight to allow time for the wood to drink up the finish. This process helps the product protect the wood. But, if you're in a hurry, wait a minimum of 30 minutes before the next (and last) step.
Allow the product to absorb. Ideally, leave it overnight to allow time for the wood to drink up the finish. This process helps the product protect the wood. But, if you're in a hurry, wait a minimum of 30 minutes before the next (and last) step.
You may notice that certain areas of the cutting board absorb the product faster than others; that's normal. All wood is unique, and some spots may require more product in order to be properly moisturized. If there are still dry spots, apply another layer to the those areas and let it absorb.
Now, bring out your second clean cloth.
Use the clean cloth and some elbow grease to buff out all remaining oil and wax.
Many people neglect to buff it out properly and end up with a cutting board that feels sticky. We are wiping off all excess oil and essentially leaving a thin, polished layer of wax on the surface.
Buff that sucker out, you can't really overdo this step. When the board feels silky smooth to the touch, you're probably done.
Depending on how dry your board was, it may require more than one coat to be properly nourished and protected. Wood absorbs oil differently and so any other product that says one coat is all you need is often misleading. We recommend at least two coats if your board is very dry, but once you're in the groove of keeping your cutting board maintained, you will only need to give it one coat periodically for maintenance.
Notice how the cut marks have been polished out and the board doesn't look greasy or sticky, just smooth and soft. This is a properly finished cutting board that will last many lifetimes.
(Final step for the professionals and the OCD.)
If you really want to test how well you've treated your cutting board, drop some water on the surface. If it beads up and does not sink in at all, you nailed it. If it doesn't, don't worry. Just give the cutting board another coat, wait another day and try again. The goal here is to flood the pores with as much product as the wood will take.
If you really want to test how well you've treated your cutting board, drop some water on the surface. If it beads up and does not sink in at all, you nailed it. If it doesn't, don't worry. Just give the cutting board another coat, wait another day and try again. The goal here is to flood the pores with as much product as the wood will take.
Side Note On Cutting Board Maintenance:
If you're wondering about how often to reapply Roostmade organic wood wax, there is no definitive answer. It all depends on use and how you clean it.
Some people over-clean their cutting boards (hot water and soap after every use) which is excessive and simply wears the Organic Wood Wax off more quickly. Most daily cleaning of a cutting board can be done by just wiping the board down with a damp cloth. Obviously, it depends on what you're using the board for; when cutting with raw meat, for example, more thorough cleaning is required.
Stay tuned for a follow-up article on how to properly clean your cutting board.
If you're wondering about how often to reapply Roostmade organic wood wax, there is no definitive answer. It all depends on use and how you clean it.
Some people over-clean their cutting boards (hot water and soap after every use) which is excessive and simply wears the Organic Wood Wax off more quickly. Most daily cleaning of a cutting board can be done by just wiping the board down with a damp cloth. Obviously, it depends on what you're using the board for; when cutting with raw meat, for example, more thorough cleaning is required.
Stay tuned for a follow-up article on how to properly clean your cutting board.
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