Care Instructions

 Thank you for your purchase from Round Barn Woodcrafts! We take pride in creating functional, yet beautiful pieces that will last you for many years to come.  

•  NEVER soak your wood items in water                                              
• NEVER put your wood items in your dishwasher                                   
• OIL your wood items periodically with mineral, or butcher block oil                                                                 DRY your wood items after washing and prop up so that air circulates around every surface                                                         
• NEVER leave a cutting board sitting flat after washing 
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 Prolonged exposure to water and dish detergent strips the oil and dries out the surface of the wood,  leading to cracking, warping, etc.  When your board is new, coat with mineral oil once a week for the first two months, then once a month for the remainder of the year. Thereafter, coat every three to four months as needed (more often if it sees heavy use). Coat all surfaces with oil, allow it to soak in (preferably overnight) and then wipe down with a soft cloth to remove the excess.  

 When you first wash your item in soap and water, the grain will become slightly raised, giving it a “fuzzy” and rough feeling. Do not despair! All that is needed is a quick sanding with any fine-grit sandpaper (or a Scotchbrite) and then an application of mineral oil. You may have to do this after the first several washings. Or you can wash your board with a piece of 220-grit sandpaper.  

 Your cutting boards and cheese boards may show knife marks over time. This is actually a good thing! It means your board is taking the abuse instead of your knives. You can use sandpaper to smooth out the minor knife marks. If your board becomes too marred for your liking, simply give us a call and we’ll resurface your board for you. Resurfacing will make your board a bit thinner, however, since it removes a small portion of the surface. 

 We blend and bottle two cutting board care products: Our Cutting Board oil is a blend of mineral oil, walnut oil and orange oil. Our Cutting Board Conditioner is a blend of mineral oil, beeswax, and orange oil. The oil penetrates into the fibers of the wood, making it perfect for a new board, or a board that hasn’t been well oiled. The Conditioner is more of a topical treatment; the oil does penetrate  somewhat, but the beeswax sits on the surface, giving the item a nice sheen and protection against water infiltration. It is great for a well-oiled board, utensils, knife handles, etc. You can also use these two items in tandem for optimum protection.  

 Several of our pieces (lazy susans, clipboards, salt & pepper shakers, pizza cutter handles, bottle stoppers, clocks, candle holders, etc.) have a “film finish” meaning polyurethane, lacquer or acrylic finish. You can wipe with a damp cloth if soiled. Treat them like you would a piece of fine furniture - paste wax, or lemon oil can be used to protect, and bring out the beauty of the wood. The use of commercial furniture polishes or “dusting” aerosol is not recommended. They contain silicone and a wide variety of solvents which can damage the finish and surface of your item, making it sticky and dull over time.