Natural Serving Board Care

Whether we're cooking or serving, boards are some of our most essential tools in the kitchen. To keep our favorite boards in great shape, we're turning to natural methods that are food safe and environmentally friendly. Simple oils and a few kitchen staples are all you need to make sure your boards are looking their best. We've gathered our favorite tips for board care and conditioning, below. 

Wooden Boards

Daily Care: Sprinkle your board with coarse salt, then rub with half of a sliced lemon. Rinse with hot water and dry immediately. 

Washing: Wash your board evenly on both sides to avoid any warping. Be sure to dry immediately. Never store boards while wet.

Oiling: Apply a small amount of almond, walnut or coconut oil to a wooden board's surface, then rub in the oil with a lint-free cloth, following the grain of the wood. In place of oil, natural beeswax can also be used. Make sure to choose a food-grade oil for all boards.

Removing Scents/Flavors: After cutting garlic, onions, or other strongly-scented items, wash your board as usual. Next, apply a paste of baking soda and water. Let stand for a few hours, then spritz the baking soda solution with vinegar. Once the fizzing subsides, rinse and dry your board before storing. 

Marble Boards

Daily Care: Avoid acidic cleansers, which can erode marble. For daily cleaning, fill a spray bottle with 1 tablespoon of natural soap, like Castile soap, and 1 quart of warm water. Lightly spray the board with your soap solution, then wipe clean and dry with a soft cloth. 

Best Board Practices: Marble is easily etched by knives, so avoid using your marble boards as cutting surfaces. Acidic foods, fruit juices, and other pigmented liquids can also damage or stain the porous surface of a marble board. 

Stain Removal: If your board does get stained, create a natural poultice. Wipe down the board with distilled water, then create a thick paste of water and an absorbent material such as chalk, white flour, or kaolin clay. Apply it to the board, then cover the board in plastic to keep the poultice moist. Let stand for 48 hours, then wipe the poultice away. If the stain lingers, this treatment can be repeated as needed.