Mineral Oil / Butcher Block Oil

Mineral oil is the go-to for cutting boards, butcher blocks, wooden utensils, salad bowls, and anything else that touches food. It's food-safe (it's the same USP-grade mineral oil sold as a laxative), it never dries or hardens, it's completely reversible, and it's cheap. The downside is that because it never fully cures, it doesn't offer lasting protection on its own — it needs to be reapplied regularly. For a more durable food-safe option, follow up with a beeswax + mineral oil mixture (board cream), which offers better moisture resistance.

Sand to 220 grit for bowls and utensils. For cutting boards, 180 grit is fine. Make sure the surface is completely clean and dry before applying — oil on a wet surface won't penetrate.

• Warm the oil slightly (not hot) — warm oil penetrates deeper.
• Apply generously with a cloth or brush. Don't be shy with it.
• Let soak in for at least 20–30 minutes. Overnight is better.
• Wipe off any excess that hasn't been absorbed.
• Repeat 3–5 times over several days until the wood stops absorbing oil.
• Follow up with board cream (beeswax + mineral oil) for a longer-lasting treatment.
• Reapply when the wood looks dry or after heavy use.

• Using vegetable oils, olive oil, or coconut oil — they go rancid inside the wood and eventually smell terrible.
• Applying once and expecting it to last — mineral oil requires regular reapplication.
• Using it on outdoor projects — it's not weather-resistant.