Wash an oak cutting board by hand with dish soap and a sponge under running water, dry it immediately, never leave it soaking or put it in the dishwasher, and refresh the wood regularly with paraffin oil suitable for wooden kitchen boards. That routine applies to all four AtaNova oak cutting-board formats.
Why Oak Cutting Boards Need a Simple Care Routine
Oak is a natural material. Grain, colour tone and markings vary from board to board, and the wood reacts to moisture differently from plastic or stone. The AtaNova boards are protected with a hard-wax finish approved for food contact, but they still need hand washing and prompt drying.
How to Wash the Board
- Wash by hand with dish soap and a sponge under running water.
- Clean both the working surface and edges.
- Dry the board immediately after washing.
- Do not leave it standing in water or soaking in a sink.
For INGE, pay attention to the milled juice groove as part of normal cleaning so food residue and moisture are not left sitting in the channel.
Why the Dishwasher Is Not Suitable
Do not place the board in a dishwasher. Prolonged heat, water and drying cycles are not part of the approved care method for these oak boards. Hand washing gives you much more control over how long the wood stays wet.
How to Refresh the Wood
Maintain the board regularly with paraffin oil suitable for wooden kitchen boards. The purpose is to refresh the wood surface as part of normal maintenance; use a product intended for this kitchen use rather than an unrelated household oil.
Heat, Light and Storage
Avoid prolonged strong heat and direct light. Store the board in a way that allows it to remain dry between uses. Handle 340 also includes a hanging hole, which can be useful when hanging storage suits your kitchen.
Care After Raw Food Preparation
After preparing raw meat, poultry or seafood, clean the board promptly and keep raw-food preparation separate from foods that will be eaten without further cooking. The board's finish or groove does not replace normal food-safety separation.
Care for Every AtaNova Format
The same basic routine applies to Handle 340, Handle 480, INGE and both AYA boards: hand wash, dry immediately, avoid soaking and dishwasher use, and maintain the oak with suitable paraffin oil.
Wood or Slate for Your Table?
If your main use is serving and presentation rather than chopping, our live slate serving-board guide explains the different care logic for natural slate.
Next Useful Steps
See the live Personalised Wooden Cutting Boards page for the current oak formats and ordering details. Browse Home & Living for related wooden home and kitchen pieces. For format selection, read the Personalised Cutting Board Buying Guide. For food and workflow decisions, continue with Which Cutting Board for Meat, Vegetables, Cheese and Serving?. For engraving choices, see What Should You Engrave on a Personalised Cutting Board?. For a Mother's Day gift decision, read Personalised Cutting Board for Mother's Day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put the oak cutting board in the dishwasher?
No. Hand wash only and dry immediately.
What oil should I use?
Use paraffin oil suitable for wooden kitchen boards.
Does every board look identical?
No. Natural differences in oak grain, markings and colour tone are normal.
