Helpful hints on how to make sure your board lasts a long time!
Most important items:
Don't drop it.
Don't wash in the dishwasher, don't soak in water and don't leave liquid standing on the board. This can cause the wood to expand/contract and possibly cause it to warp or cause weakness in glued joints and make is vulnerable to breaking.
Dry immediately after washing.
Other helpful tips:
Wash with warm water and soap then dry immediately. Don't let water stand on the surface. Let it dry on its side so it can dry evenly on the top and bottom surfaces. This will help prevent the board from warping.
Reapply cutting board oil as needed. You can also apply cutting board creams/wax for additional protection. This depends on use, many recommend every 1-3 months with heavy use. This process keeps the vibrant colors vibrant but also protects the wood. Most importantly maintains the safety of the board. This is very important if you are preparing fish, poultry and other raw meats on the board. There are several great products out there to use I recommend making sure it is food safe and follow the directions of the product labeling.
Damage (nicks, gouges, dents, excessive knife marks): this can be sanded down and then reapply cutting board oil.
Handles are part of the board and durable but could strain with heavy use. I would recommend to treat handles as decorative to make the board last as long as possible.
Please Remember:
Not all boards are good for all type of cutting. For example, the oak bread boards. Oak is a great hardwood but since it is a porous wood it is not recommended to cut items such as raw meat, fish or poultry.