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Product Care

  • Does your furniture have a protective coating?
    Most of the furniture we produce is treated with either hand-rubbed Osmo hardwax oil or sprayed with water-based polyurethane. This depends on the product and the colour/finish that is closen. Natural wood is typically treated with Osmo while stained or painted items are top coated with polyurethane. We use low-VOC water based products but will consider using oil-based products upon customer request and depending on the situation. Anything that is reasonably expected to come into contact with food is treated ONLY with food safe mineral oil.
  • How do I care for my furniture?
    We recommend that you keep your furniture clean and do not allow it to be subjected to forces which may cause damage or abrasion. If water spills on your furniture, wipe it off immediately. While our coatings can generally handle water, there are always gaps where water can enter and damage the wood. In the past (and even today in some cases), low quality solvent-based lacquer was used on a lot of furniture. While it may look nice, some of these lacquers have poor abrasion resistance and break down over time. They were famous for the rings left under wet glasses. Coating technology has advanced dramatically in the last 5 years and water0based coatings now outperform oil-based in many cases. It is also much safer for us to work with. If not applying hardwax oil to natural wood, we generally use either clear or tinted water-based polyurethane which is much more durable than lacquer.
  • Are there coatings or treatments on my cutting board?
    Our cutting and charcuterie boards are made solid hardwood that is glued together using a food safe glue (Titebond 3) and are then soaked in USP food safe FDA approved mineral oil. It is the mineral oil that brings out the natural radiant colour and finish of the wood and protects it. Nothing else is applied to our boards. Some salad bowls do have a hard coating similar to what is found on furniture. We do not use these products. We never use any other dyes, stains or finishes on any of our cutting or charcuterie boards or any boards that are reasonably expected to regularly come into contact with food.
  • My board was soaked in water and now feels like it has a rough fluffy texture to it. What can I do?
    When a board gets wet, it can "raise the grain". We do this intentionally before we apply mineral oil to help smooth it out. If this happens as a result of prolonged or excessive immersion in water, simply use 180 or higher grit sand paper or a sanding block and lightly sand the board. Sand paper is often very cheap but sanding blocks are easier to use. Both can be found at your local hardware store for under $5. Do not over sand. Only a few light passes are needed to knock down the grain. Once you have sanded, wipe off the dust with a dry cloth and apply a liberal amount of mineral oil to the entire board and let it dry. Wipe any excess off.
  • Can I wash my cutting board? How do I clean it?
    NEVER put a cutting or charcuterie board (or any wood product) in a dish washer. The heat, pressure and repeated spraying of water will very quickly destroy the board. You can place your board in soapy water and quickly remove it, but doing this repeatedly can degrade the board so it should not be done often. We recommend that you wipe your board clean with a cloth that has been soaked in dish soap and water and then immediately dry the water off the board. Let the board air dry for at least 10-15 minutes then apply mineral oil to the entire board, wiping off the excess. You should re-oil your board after every use, regardless of whether it has touched water but this step is ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL if it has come into contact with water. Failure to re-oil your board after each use will almost certainly result in a board that will break down, lose its desirable color and could cause the glue joints to fail.
  • Where can I buy cutting board oil or wax?
    Most hardware stores and grocery stores sell mineral oil. Many sell mineral oil that is branded specifically for cutting boards at a higher price, but it is usually just plain old mineral oil. Some stores sell board wax or "board butter" which is usually just mineral oil with beeswax added. The thinking is that the beeswax helps to seal in the oil. You can also buy these products from online retailers such as Amazon. Look for food-safe USP mineral oil from reputable retailers.
  • What can I treat my board with?
    There are may products on the market for treating your boards and many of these can be bought online or in woodworking stores. Most, if not all, contain a combination of mineral oil and beeswax. Some are in a liquid form and some are in a wax form. We have found that simple food safe mineral oil works best and is the most economical way to keep your board beautiful and protected for years to come. This can be purchased online or at most grocery stores for relatively low prices. Some brands of "baby oil" are also food safe mineral oil but be sure to check the label to confirm.
  • My board has warped or broke. What can I do?
    Boards that have warped or split do not necessarily pose a safety concern although they can be less desirable. While wood can split naturally and glue joints do rarely fail, splitting or de-lamination is almost always the result of a drop, immersion in water, the dishwasher or failing to keep it properly oiled. This is why proper care is critical. This generally means the board is at its end of life and should be properly disposed of.
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