Frequently Asked Questions

Sprinkle kosher or table salt on your cutting board and then use a damp sponge or paper towel to rub the stained or discolored area. The salt will absorb stains, flavors, and odors. For stubborn stains, try sanding down the area with a 200 grit sand paper. It is very important to sand with the grain of the wood, never against the grain. This sanding process exposes a brand new wood work surface. Once sanding is complete, it is recommended to oil your cutting board with Boos Block Mystery Oil and follow up with Boos Block Board Cream with Beeswax. This product protects the board and controls its moisture content, keeping it from drying out, cracking or splitting.

Lemon or lime juice with a little salt will go a long way to reducing odor. Sprinkle your Boos ® cutting board with kosher or table salt. Cut a lemon or lime into quarters and use these quarters to rub the salt into the board, squeezing juice onto the board as you go. Let sit for 2-3 minutes and then wipe the cutting board clean with a damp cloth. Use a clean paper towel to remove excess water or let the board air dry by standing it on end.

Maintenance of you wood cutting board is important to maintain warranty coverage. Mystery Oil or a food-grade mineral oil are required. The Mystery Oil should be applied first. The Mystery Oil penetrates deeply through the wood fibers, and the Board Cream is a denser, thicker formula that protects the top layer of the wood surface and is recommended. Using both care and maintenance products will prolong the life of your Boos Block cutting board.

• Boos Block® Mystery Oil is a NSF certified food-grade oil that easily absorbs and penetrates deeply into the grain of the wood to help protect, revitalize, and moisturize the wood fibers.

• Boos Block® Board Cream contains all natural, unbleached beeswax and food-grade oil formula. Board Cream is denser, and thicker which gives a protective top layer to the wood surface and protects against, stains from foods and liquids. It helps keep the water out and the oil in.

Proper storage of wood cutting boards is crucial to prevent warping. Unlike plastic, glass, or composite boards that can be stored flat, wood cutting boards should be stored on their edge and away from direct sunlight. Placing a wood cutting board flat for an extended period of time on a cold stone countertop can hinder airflow and lead to moisture imbalance. If you wish to showcase your cutting board on the countertop for an extended period of time, ensure proper air circulation by using a mesh rubber mat underneath for reversible boards. This ensures the beauty of your cutting board is maintained while preventing potential warping issues.

End Grain Cutting Boards features the end pieces of wood rails approximately 1-1/2″ x 1-3/4″ that are glued together into a traditional square pattern. During cutting or chopping, the end grain wood fibers absorb the impact of the knife blade, allowing your knife to stay sharper and your board surfaces to stay smoother. Edge Grain Cutting Boards features full length wood rails approximately 1-3/4″ wide that span the entire length of the board. Edge Grain Cutting Boards feature a uniform thickness and true flat cutting surface. Click here see our video showing the differences between and end grain and edge grain cutting board. 

Although Boos ® Hard Rock Natural Maple cutting boards DO NOT harbor bacteria, it is a good habit to use separate cutting boards for different types of food prep. For example, use one for raw meat, poultry, or fish, and another for cooked or ready-to-eat foods such as salad, vegetables, and breads. This will ensure protection against cross contamination and will prevent the spreading of certain food borne bacteria such as E-Coli.

A scientific study conducted by Dr. Dean Cliver, Ph.D has proved that maple cutting boards inhibit bacteria growth, while plastic boards have been scientifically proven to harbor bacteria inside the cut grooves. Also wood cutting boards are known to be easier on your expensive knife blades. Click Here to read more on Dr. Dean Cliver’s study.

Keep your Boos ® cutting board sanitized by simply washing it with hot soapy water after each use and drying it with a clean paper towel or letting it air dry. If you want to sanitize the board more thoroughly, use a diluted mixture of chlorine bleach or vinegar solution that consists of one teaspoon of liquid chlorine bleach in one quart of water or a one to five dilution of vinegar. Do not soak or submerge the board in water, as this will disrupt the moisture content causing the rails to split. Wood cutting boards are NOT dishwasher safe.

You can purchase directly from our online store or contact one of our our authorized John Boos & Co. retailers.