Homemade Wooden Spoon and Cutting Board Conditioning Wax

If you live in a dry area, or you’ve left your wooden utensils to soak in water for too long, you may find that they have become sandpapery and dry. If you’re like me, you have a bunch of wooden spoons that you love, but sometimes neglect. They end up sitting on your counter looking lackluster, dry, and sad. Thankfully, there is an easy solution that will help keep your spoons and cutting boards in great shape. That’s where cutting board wax comes in.

What is Cutting Board Wax?

There are many different oils used for conditioning wood. People often use mineral oil, linseed oil, and coconut oil, or pre-made oil blends that often contain those oils plus beeswax. These oils will not go rancid over time like olive oil or avocado oil, which makes them a great choice. When oils are blended with wax, they become a conditioning wax. Cutting board wax helps condition your boards and utensils to keep them from drying out and cracking. Waxing also helps make your utensils more water repellent. This will extend the life of your cherished spoons, while keeping them looking beautiful. 

Why You Should Make Your Own

Besides it being a great modern homesteading skill to learn, making your own cutting board wax is a great option because you can make it in bulk and keep it on your shelf for whenever the need arises. I also like choosing the ingredients I use and knowing exactly where they come from. Plus it is very affordable! Our recipe only contains two ingredients, coconut oil and beeswax, both of which can readily be found in your local co-op store. We opted to use coconut oil as our base oil in place of mineral oil, as it’s easier to find and many of you most likely already have it in your cupboards. But what are the benefits of coconut oil and beeswax you may ask?

Benefits of Beeswax

Beeswax helps protect your boards and spoons. Because wood is porous, it tends to suck up water and dry out. The more they are used and exposed to water, the more likely they are to warp and crack. Beeswax helps by adding a protective layer that fills the pores of the wood and repels water. It also adds a beautiful finish that will keep your boards and spoons beautiful for years. 

Beeswax has been used for hundreds of years in so many ways. In ancient Rome, it was used for waterproofing and in the making of ointments. In the medieval times it was used much the same way, but it was also used in the making of bows, instruments, and also as a medicine.

Benefits of Coconut Oil 

Unrefined coconut oil is a great option for conditioning because of its price and shelf life. When stored correctly, it can last up to three years. Because it’s an oil, it also has the same water repelling properties as beeswax, all while deeply hydrating the wood. Think of coconut oil as a face moisturizer for your utensils and cutting board. When you’re dehydrated and the air is dry, your skin dries out. The same thing happens to the wooden utensils in your kitchen, So consistently making sure they are moisturized helps with their longevity, Be sure to buy unrefined coconut oil, not refined to ensure a long shelf life. 

How to Condition Your Spoons and Cutting Board

First you’ll want to wash your wooden items well and let them air dry completely. You don’t want to trap any excess moisture when you apply your wax. Once they are dry, take a small rag and a little bit of your cutting board wax and start to apply it all over the surface of your spoon or board. Once it is fully covered, let it sit for around 30 minutes so that it can soak up all of the oils. After 30 minutes, go back and buff the surface till there isn’t any excess wax and the spoon/board looks hydrated. You may have to apply two to three layers of wax if your boards and spoons have gone a long time without any care. 

If you want to get really intense about how you condition your cutting board, you can use your oven. To do this, turn your oven onto its warm setting. Ideally it would be just warm enough to open up the pores of the wood, so make sure it’s not over 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Now, set your cutting board in the oven and let sit for ten minutes or until quite warm to the touch. Take it out using hot mitts and apply a layer of cutting board wax all over with a rag. Place the cutting board back into the oven for another ten minutes. Repeat this as many times as it takes for the wax to stop soaking into the cutting board. The wax will sit on top and stay shiny, when the board can no longer soak up any more. Let the board sit on your counter for an hour to cool down, then buff the wax off with a clean rag. Now you’re done!

How Often Should You Condition?

This is dependent on use. Whenever your spoons or boards are looking dry, give them a waxing. One way to ensure longer utensil and board life is to not soak your wooden items in water or put them in the dishwasher. They will degrade far quicker when they have prolonged contact with water. However, I have been known to put my wooden spoons in the dishwasher. If you do the same, no shame in that, just condition your spoons every time they come out of the dishwasher. Just make sure that they have completely dried before you do.

Other Uses

You can use cutting board wax for more than just cutting boards. Generally, any wooden surface that is not sealed can benefit from cutting board wax. Use the wax to condition your butcher block counter tops, or a piece of furniture without any polyurethane finish. Conditioning small scratches on furniture that does have a polyurethane finish can also help the scratches blend in more and give your piece new life. Just make sure to wipe it clean.