Prolong The Life Of Your
PHEBUS WOODSHOP Cutting Board
With Proper Care & Maintenance

HAND WASH ONLY – NEVER SUBMERGE IN WATER
To avoid bacteria, it’s important that you wash your cutting board immediately after use. Wash your cutting board with soap and warm water and scrub well. The volume of water and mechanical scrubbing is more important than soap in flushing bacteria and other food particles off the board. After washing the cutting board, dry immediately with a towel and let it air dry standing up or on a raised rack with air flow.

• DO NOT Put the board in the dishwasher. The heat and water will warp and splinter the wood. Only plastic, composite or glass boards can go into the dishwasher.
• DO NOT Dunk or let the board in stand in water. The wood will absorb water and potentially warp.
• DO NOT Use bleach or harsh detergents of any type. This will stain the wood and/or excessively dry the wood.
• DO NOT Put a wet board flat to dry. If the board dries on one side, it will cause the wood to warp.

If your board has stains or smells, you can use lemon juice or white vinegar directly on the area. The acid in these liquids will neutralize the organic material or fats causing the problem.

IMPORTANT TIPS:
Here are some important tips to keep your boards looking new.

1. A minimum of once a month (depending upon the use and household conditions), apply an even coat of Walrus Oil* brand CUTTING BOARD OIL to all surfaces of your wood cutting board using a cloth or disposable towel.

   Allow the 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.

   For additional protection, it is recommended to use Walrus Oil* brand WOOD WAX to seal the top of the wood surface. Apply an even coat of the wax using a cloth or disposable towel. Allow the wax to sit for 15 minutes then buff out any excess wax with a dry cloth or disposable towel until smooth.

2. DO NOT allow liquids of any type to stand on the cutting board for long periods of time. DO NOT let fresh, wet meats lay on the board longer than necessary. Brine, water, and blood, contain liquids, which soak into the wood, causing the cutting board to expand, the wood to soften, and affects the strength of the glued joints.
3. DO NOT cut fish or poultry on the cutting board work surface.
4. Be sure NEVER to cut continuously in the same surface area. Distribute your cutting over the entire work surface so that it will wear evenly.
5. Sanitize your cutting board by wiping all surfaces down with mild dish soap and water. Dry thoroughly.
6. If your cutting board is reversible, it should be turned over periodically to allow even usage to both work surfaces.

Walrus Oil* brand CUTTING BOARD OIL is a wood finish that is FDA compliant for food contact surfaces such as cutting boards and butcher blocks. It will leave your board with a silky smooth finish, rich color, and a little shine. Walrus Oil brand WOOD WAX will add extra protection from water and moisture while bringing out more vivid wood color and shine. Simply apply a thin layer of wax, dry for 15 minutes, then buff with a rag.

HOW TO APPLY CUTTING BOARD OIL & WOOD WAX:
I recommend using Walrus Oil brand CUTTING BOARD OIL and WOOD WAX to properly maintain your board. Please note that I do not recommend natural oils such as vegetable, corn, olive, peanut or walnut oil to condition the board, as these are rich in fats that will eventually oxidize and go rancid, creating a foul smelling board. Also, never use standard mineral oil from a hardware store that is not rated as food safe, as that is meant for machine lubrication and not for contact with food.

1. CUTTING BOARD OIL
Once your cutting board is thoroughly dry, apply the oil directly onto the surface of the board. Be generous with the application, especially if the wood is dry. You want the surface to be dripping wet on all sides and I recommend using a disposable lint free towel or foam paint brush to spread the oil (try not to soak up the oil).
Most importantly, let the oil soak into the cutting board for as long as possible. The manufacturer recommends at least 12–18 hours. After finish has dried, wipe away excess residue.

2. WOOD WAX
After the board has been oiled and allowed to dry, apply a thin layer of wood wax over the entire surface. Let the wax sit for 15 minutes then buff out with a dry rag/towel. Buff thoroughly until there is no more visible wax residue.

WHY USE CUTTING BOARD OILS & WOOD WAX?
The goal of board oil is to penetrate the wood and saturate the wood fibers, in order to stop any other liquids (blood, bacteria) and moisture from soaking into the board. As well, a well-oiled cutting board will keep the same shape when the wood fibers are saturated, so it will not expand and shrink compared to a board that is left to completely dry, then exposed to water. This shrinking and expanding effect is the main cause of warped cutting boards.

While board oil penetrates the wood, board wax acts as a physical barrier on the surface of the wood that protects against stains and liquids. The wax also aids in sanitation, as it fills and seals in knife scars and microscopic cracks where bacteria would otherwise gather.