A lifetime of Boos®

The Proper Care to Ensure YourBoos Block® Stands the Test of Time

Your Boos Block® product is handcrafted and deserves regular care and only the best treatment so it can last a lifetime in your kitchen. And to ensure that it does just that, it’s important to learn how to properly care for and maintain your Boos Block® product. Only hand wash this incredible natural material and remember not every detergent or oil is suitable for your Boos Block®.

Below, you’ll find everything you’ll need to know on usage, cleaning and care to protect and keep your Boos Block® product in top shape for years to come.

All Cutting Boards and Chopping Blocks

  1. A minimum of once a month (depending upon the use and household conditions), apply an even coat of Boos Block® Mystery Oil to all surfaces of your cutting board using a clean cloth, disposable towel or Boos Block®️ applicator. The more often it is cleaned, the more often it should be oiled. A dry appearance is a sure sign it is time to oil your wood surface. Make sure the cutting board surface is free from any food debris, dirt, oil, or grease before applying Mystery Oil.
  2. Allow the Mystery Oil to fully penetrate through the wood fibers overnight, then wipe off any excess oil. Apply additional oil to any visible dry spots or for any other necessary reasons. Do not over oil your wood surface. 
  3. For additional protection, it is recommended to use Boos Block® Board Cream to seal the wood surface in conjunction with the Mystery Oil. Apply an even coat of the Board Cream using a clean cloth, disposable towel or Boos Block® applicator. Allow the Board Cream to penetrate the wood surface overnight, then wipe off any excess cream.
  4. Maintain the same bevel on the edge of your cutting board as it had when purchased. This helps prevent splitting or chipping on the outside of the cutting board.
  5. Be sure NEVER to cut continuously on the same surface area. Distribute your cutting over the entire work surface so that it will wear evenly. If your cutting board is reversible, it should be turned over periodically to allow even usage on both work surfaces.
  6. Minor scratches can be repaired by sanding the affected area with a fine grit sandpaper. When sanding, always sand with the grain. If the area needing repair is located along the edges, lightly sand the edges into the surrounding area. Remove all dust.
  1. Make sure the cutting board surface is free from any food debris, dirt, oil, or grease.
  2. Use a good steel scraper or spatula as necessary to keep the cutting surface clean and sanitary. Scraping the surface will remove 75% of the liquids. Do not use a steel brush on the cutting surface.
  3. With a clean cloth and mild soap and water solution, wipe the top thoroughly until all the debris is removed.
  4. Wash out the cloth in clean warm water, wring out, and go over the surface again to remove any remaining soap.
  5. Thoroughly wipe all surfaces with a clean dry towel. Allow residual surface moisture to air dry before reapplying Boos Block® Mystery Oil.
  1. DO NOT allow fresh, wet meats and liquids of any type to stand on the countertop surface for long periods of time. Brine, water, and blood, contain liquids that soak into the wood, causing the countertop surface to expand, the wood to soften, and affects the strength of the glued joints.
  2. DO NOT cut fish or poultry on the countertop surface unless you have thoroughly followed the care instructions in step #1. The moisture barrier must be intact prior to cutting any type of fish, seafood, or poultry on the countertop surface. ALWAYS CLEAN THE COUNTERTOP SURFACE THOROUGHLY AFTER CUTTING FISH OR POULTRY.
  3. DO NOT use a razor-edged cleaver or serrated knife. These may chip or splinter the wood and produce soft spots.
  4. DO NOT wash your cutting board with harsh detergents of any type. Harsh chemical cleaners may result in permanent damage and discoloration to the surface.
  5. DO NOT put Boos Block® wood cutting boards into the dishwasher or wash your kitchen tools on your cutting board surface.
  6. DO NOT over oil your wood cutting board surface.

If you prefer an audio-visual experience, here's a summary video on how to properly care for your Boos® product.

All Butcher Blocks, Kitchen Islands, and Worktables with Oil Finish

  1. A minimum of once a month (depending upon the use and household conditions), apply an even coat of Boos Block® Mystery Oil to all surfaces of your butcher block using a clean cloth, disposable towel or Boos Block®️ applicator. The more often it is cleaned, the more often it should be oiled. A dry appearance is a sure sign it is time to oil your wood surface. Make sure the butcher block surface is free from any food debris, dirt, oil, or grease before applying Mystery Oil.
  2. Allow the Mystery Oil to fully penetrate through the wood fibers overnight, then wipe off any excess oil. Apply additional oil to any visible dry spots or for any other necessary reasons. Do not over oil your wood surface. 
  3. For additional protection, it is recommended to use Boos Block® Board Cream to seal the wood surface in conjunction with the Mystery Oil. Apply an even coat of the Board Cream using a clean cloth, disposable towel or Boos Block® applicator. Allow the Board Cream to penetrate the wood surface overnight, then wipe off any excess cream.
  4. Maintain the same bevel on the edge of your butcher block as it had when purchased. This helps prevent splitting or chipping on the outside of the butcher block.
  5. Be sure NEVER to cut continuously on the same surface area. Distribute your cutting over the entire work surface so that it will wear evenly.
  6. Minor scratches can be repaired by sanding the affected area with a fine grit sandpaper. When sanding, always sand with the grain. If the area needing repair is located along the edges, lightly sand the edges into the surrounding area. Remove all dust.
  1. Make sure the butcher block surface is free from any food debris, dirt, oil, or grease.
  2. Use a good steel scraper or spatula as necessary to keep the cutting surface clean and sanitary. Scraping the surface will remove 75% of the liquids. Do not use a steel brush on the cutting surface.
  3. With a clean cloth and mild soap and water solution, wipe the top thoroughly until all the debris is removed.
  4. Wash out the cloth in clean warm water, wring out, and go over the surface again to remove any remaining soap.
  5. Thoroughly wipe all surfaces with a clean dry towel. Allow residual surface moisture to air dry before reapplying Boos Block® Mystery Oil.
  1. DO NOT allow fresh, wet meats and liquids of any type to stand on the butcher block surface for long periods of time. Brine, water, and blood, contain liquids that soak into the wood, causing the butcher block surface to expand, the wood to soften, and affects the strength of the glued joints.
  2. DO NOT cut fish or poultry on the butcher block surface unless you have thoroughly followed the care instructions in step #1. The moisture barrier must be intact prior to cutting any type of fish, seafood, or poultry on the butcher block surface. ALWAYS CLEAN THE BUTCHER BLOCK SURFACE THOROUGHLY AFTER CUTTING FISH OR POULTRY.
  3. DO NOT use a razor-edged cleaver or serrated knife. These may chip or splinter the wood and produce soft spots.
  4. DO NOT wash your butcher block with harsh detergents of any type. Harsh chemical cleaners may result in permanent damage and discoloration to the surface.
  5. DO NOT place butcher blocks near excessive heat (such as a stove) without proper insulation between the heat source and the edge of the surface.
  6. DO NOT over oil your wood surface.
Kitchen Carts with Varnique Finish
  1. Varnique is a beautiful semi-gloss finish. To clean spills or soiled areas, use a clean damp cloth to wipe the surface, then thoroughly wipe all surfaces with a clean dry towel. Please note that any spills should be cleaned up immediately. Excessive moisture or mildly acidic liquids that are allowed to stand on the surface can cause damage to the finish.
  2. Periodically, you should apply a coat of spray wax, paste wax, or lemon oil to the finished surface. This will enhance and protect the finish and ensure that a moisture barrier is intact in the event that the finish becomes scratched or worn.
  3. Minor scratches can be repaired by rubbing the affected area with fine steel wool or fine grit (#200) sandpaper. Remember, when rubbing or sanding, always sand with the grain. If the area needing repaired is located along the edges, lightly sand the edges into the surrounding area. Remove all dust and apply a coat of any type of clear lacquer finish. The entire surface of the top will have to be refinished or the repair will be visible. Clear lacquer can be purchased at most paint or hardware stores. Small cans of matching touch up stain can be mixed and matched at most paint stores. Always follow the manufacturer’s directions on the product label when refinishing.
  4. If there are major scratches and gouges where large portions of wood have been removed or damaged, the repair should be handled by an experienced professional in furniture repair that is furnished with the appropriate tools and equipment.
  1. DO NOT cut on or into a varnique finished butcher block. Cuts in the finish should be resealed immediately to prevent the exposed wood from absorbing moisture. Varnique finishes can be spot sanded and finished with John Boos EZ-DO wipe-on poly gel.