Refurbishing Cutting Boards

I am working on a fundraising event and we are making up several bar-themed auction baskets. My friend in Atlanta found me some great little cutting boards at thrift stores that were a great price, but needed a little TLC. (But you can do the same process for your own cutting boards that have started to look a little worn.)

First I sanded the cutting boards with 100 grit, the 150 grit, then 220 grit sand paper. I used a random orbital sander because it makes VERY quick work of this part, especially since these are so little, and weren’t in bad shape. You want to get any knife marks out, and make sure that the boards are uniformly smooth. Wipe the boards with a clean dry cloth to remove the dust.

My boards looked like this after the sanding step:

With cutting boards, you have to use a food safe finish, and one that won’t go rancid on you. I use just plain old mineral oil from the pharmacy.

I rubbed the oil into all the boards and then wiped off the excess with a paper towel. This is how they look after just one coat.

They will need another coat or two, but I am completely out of mineral oil, so that will have to wait.

Do you have some cutting boards, charcuterie boards, or wooden salad bowls that could use a refresh?