Caring for your cutting board

I have had a wood cutting block for years, but never got official instructions on how to clean and care for it. Turns out I was doing part of it right, but had no idea you were supposed to use mineral oil! Here are some tips for extending the life of your wooden cutting board:

-Every month or two, you want to oil your cutting board with food grade mineral oil. Do not use olive or vegetable oils, as they will turn rancid. It's easy to do: just coat the surface generously all over with oil, and let sit overnight. Wipe off any excess in the morning. This will help keep moisture out of your board.

-never immerse your board in water, no matter how much you want to get that glop of dried on yuk you forgot to remove when it was wet. Sprinkle coarse salt over the top and scrub with a kitchen cloth.

-keep a weak bleach/water solution in a spray bottle and spray down your board after each wash and use.