Things You'll Need

Instructions

Create a Simple Finish

1

Sand your cutting board if you haven't already. You want the smoothest possible surface to ensure that none of your cutting board ends up in your food.
2

Choose your desired oil. The two best oils for finishing a cutting board are mineral oil and walnut oil. Walnut oil tends to darken lighter woods, so choose mineral oil if you want to maintain the color of your cutting board.
3

Apply a coat of oil evenly over the cutting board with a clean rag, going in the direction of the grain. Make the coat thick enough that it soaks into the wood.
4

Buff the surface lightly with steel wool, if desired. Buffing can make the next coat of oil soak in better.
5

Put another coat of oil on your cutting board to finish it.
6

Add a new coat of oil whenever your cutting board needs it. You'll know it needs a new application when the wood begins to dry out.

Create a Wax-and-Oil Finish

1

Sand your cutting board to prepare it for the finish.
2

Heat 2 cups mineral oil in a double boiler. As it's heating, add 2/3 cup paraffin wax, cut into small pieces to make it melt more quickly. Stir the mixture until all of the wax melts.
3

Apply the wax-and-oil mixture to your cutting board with a brush or cloth, covering it thickly. Go in the direction of the grain for the best results.
4

Let the cutting board dry overnight. Add another coat of wax and oil mixture, heating it in the double boiler again.
5

Repeat Steps 3 and 4 until the wood can't soak up any more of the finish.
6

Remove any finish that the wood didn't soak up, scraping it off with a putty knife or similar tool. Complete the finish by buffing your cutting board with a clean rag.
7

Add a new coat of wax and oil when the wood needs it, whenever it starts to dry out.