There is something to be said about a great cutting board. You probably use it all the time and may even use it as a charcuterie board on special occasions. When you use a wooden cutting board a lot, though, it begins to look dry and dull. It doesn’t retain that shine that sold you on it in the first place. Instead it looks beaten down with various knife cuts from repeated usage. That’s why you have to revive it with a conditioning treatment!

There are butcher block creams available at kitchen stores or online. Typically, the ingredient list is very short, usually consisting of beeswax and food-grade mineral oil. If the ingredient list is that simple, can’t you simply make your own? The answer, in case you were wondering, is yes. If you are already a DIY enthusiast, you may have beeswax and only need to procure food grade mineral oil. You can even buy a cutting board oil at most hardware stores!

How To Clean A Wooden Cutting Board

First off, always hand-wash your wooden cutting board. You don’t need to put your wooden cutting board or utensils in a dishwasher or submerge them in a sink full of soapy water. Both of those cleaning methods can actually warp or crack your wooden items. Remove any food bits with a bench scraper or spatula before placing it under water. If you notice stubborn stains, you can use a slurry of baking soda and water and scrub the mixture into the cutting board with a sponge.

Scrub the board with a sponge and hot soapy water (a mild dish soap is best). Always wash both sides of the cutting board to prevent uneven drying. Rinse the board and dry with a clean dish towel or paper towel. Stand it upright to prevent residual water from pooling and allow it to air-dry completely. 

How To Condition Your Wooden Cutting Board

Wood naturally dries out after frequent washings, which is why you have to condition it in order to prevent cracking. A properly conditioned cutting board also provides a protective barrier against moisture. That helps to keep the board clean and makes it less prone to warping or cracking. Conditioning your wooden cutting board also reduces the likelihood of staining or absorbing strong odors from certain foods. 

There are several ways to condition a wooden cutting board and if you have a method that works for you, wonderful. Some people prefer specific oils or waxes, so keep using the one you like if you fall into that category. Once you have your conditioner of choice, you want to dip the corner of a rag into the mixture and rub it around the cutting board. You should start to notice an improvement in appearance as you make your way across the cutting board. 

DIY Wooden Cutting Board Conditioning Cream

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon beeswax pellets (or grated beeswax)
• 4 tablespoons food-grade mineral oil

Instructions:

• Combine the beeswax and mineral oil in a small heat-safe glass jar (a measuring cup or pint canning jar will work). Place the jar in a small saucepan filled with a couple inches of water over medium heat. 
• Keep the saucepan on the stove until the beeswax has fully melted. You want the contents in the jar to be completely liquid. 
• Pour the melted mixture into a small jar and allow it to cool at room temperature. It will turn into a gel-like consistency. 
• To use, dip the corner of a rag into the mixture and spread it onto the cutting board, rubbing it gently. Continue until you have completely conditioned the entire board.

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People use Vaseline or petroleum jelly for different reason. Some people use it to moisturize dry skin, remedy chapped lips, soothe burns, or to keep a tattoo from drying during the healing process. New research, however, has indicated that this common skincare product is not beneficial for your body. In fact, it does more bad than good.

Vaseline’s role is to protect the skin and keep it from drying out. Depending on the weather, people may use it in lotion, ointment, or cream form. People even use it on infants to help remedy diaper rash. It doesn’t serve as a remedy, though, because it actually creates an atmosphere, in which bacteria can multiply.

Vaseline completely shuts down the pores and prevents your body’s natural ability to remedy the issue. Using it on burns, for example, makes it so the body preserves the heat in the tissues, rather than naturally getting rid of it. Do you still want to use Vaseline? Here are more reasons why you shouldn’t.

Destroys Skin’s Collagen

When you apply petroleum jelly to the skin, it inhibits the skin from being able to breathe. This also means that the skin can’t take in nutrients. Continued use of Vaseline requires more collagen use to keep the skin moisturized.

It Can Cause Pneumonia

If you continue to use petroleum jelly, you may experience a health condition known as lipid pneumonia. This only happens when the body intakes a large amount of petroleum jelly, e.g. via your pores. Since the body can’t dispose of it on its own, the lungs can become inflamed.

Full Of Hydrocarbons

Because the skin cannot process Vaseline, you increase your risk of various health ailments. In theory, the petroleum jelly should act as a protective layer, but it inhibits the body from healing naturally. One study found that Vaseline contained mineral oil hydrocarbons, which are a huge threat to the human body.

Do your skin a favor and use natural alternatives like coconut oil, shea butter, or beeswax. All of these are rich in vitamins and minerals that work with the body to naturally heal itself. They also contain anti-inflammatory properties that help prevent inflammation or dryness.

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Mineral oil is an odorless, colorless substance made from petroleum. The product is related to petroleum jelly. The substance is mass produced and has many uses. You can generally find mineral oil at a drugstore.

Don’t risk your health or the health of your family by using mineral oil products. Switch to safer, natural alternatives.

Mineral Oil in Products

Mineral oil is found in many different types of products. Its uses can be cosmetic, industrial or even for animals. Some of the most common products that contain mineral oil are:

• Baby lotion
• Cosmetics
• Ointments
• Facial creams
• Electrical transformers
• High voltage switchgear
• Hydraulic fluid
• Sewing machine lubricant
• Wood preservative
• Parasite prevention in animals

Some forms of mineral oil are said to be safe for consumption and some are not. The FSA (Food Standards Agency) has reported that mineral oil in food packaging does not pose a risk to humans.

Other types of mineral oil are known carcinogens. These should be avoided altogether. Putting petroleum products on your skin or in your body comes with risk. The oils can clog pores, making skin congested.

Mineral oils in baby products can cause baby’s skin to become dry and irritated. The ingredient is commonly found in baby shampoos, soaps, and lotions. Remember that what we put on our skin ultimately ends up in the body.

Natural Alternatives to Mineral Oil

You should be able to eat or consume everything you put on your body. That means that all ingredients in your beauty and skin products should be edible. Mineral oil in many forms is not edible.

Replace Mineral Oil with natural oils that are derived from foods. Some healthy oils that can serve as alternatives to mineral oil include:

• Olive Oil
• Almond Oil
• Wheat Germ Oil
• Grape Seed Oil
• Sunflower Oil
• Rose Hip Seed Oil
• Apricot Kernel Oil
• Jojoba Oil
• Coconut Oil

These oils are great substitutes for mineral oil in hair and skin products.

Natural oils can also be ingested. They are of great help to the liver and colon. Ingesting the oils on a regular basis can help you maintain the health of these organs.

Read the ingredients when you purchase products. Know what you are putting in or on your body. Find natural alternatives to mineral oil. Many health food and grocery stores carry natural, mineral oil-free products today.

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