Make a Hardwood Cutting Board

The last step is to oil the board. Apply a liberal coat of either mineral oil, which is available at any drug store, or salad bowl oil. Do not use vegetable or olive oil, as these can go rancid over time.

You'll want to oil your board once a day for a few days before use, and then occasionally thereafter for maintenance. A good rule of thumb that I once heard is to oil the board once a day for a week, once a week for a month, and once a month for life.

Another good rule of thumb, from a food-safety standpoint, is to avoid using the same board for cutting vegetables and different kinds of meats. Keep one board for vegetables and one for each type of meat (poultry, beef, pork, etc.). This will help to avoid any possible cross-contamination.

To clean your board after use, wash it by hand in hot, soapy water or in a dishwasher.