Caring for Your Custom Wood Pieces: Maintenance Tips That Matter

When you invest in a custom wood piece—whether it’s a cutting board, serving tray, or something special you had made just for your space—you want it to last. Around here, we believe quality and care go hand in hand. A little maintenance can go a long way in keeping your wood products looking good and working hard for years to come.

We gathered six tips to make caring for your wood piece simple and straightforward.

1. Keep It Clean (But Easy Does It)

After using your piece, give it a wipe with a damp cloth. If it needs a bit more cleaning—like after cutting veggies or serving up snacks—use warm water and a drop of mild dish soap. Just don’t soak it or run it through the dishwasher. Wood and too much water don’t mix well.

Wood Care Quick Tip: 

Let it air dry standing up on its edge so both sides dry evenly.

2. Oil It Up Every So Often

Wood dries out over time, especially when it’s used regularly. Rubbing in a little food-safe mineral oil (or a beeswax blend) helps bring it back to life and keeps it from cracking. We make all-natural Board Butter to help your products last a lifetime.

3. Avoid Heat and Harsh Stuff

Try to keep your wood pieces away from direct sunlight, dishwashers, microwaves, or anything with extreme heat. Those things can warp or dry out the wood over time. A little mindfulness goes a long way.

4. Cut Smart

If you’re using a cutting board, switch up where you cut so one area doesn’t take all the wear. Try to avoid super jagged or serrated knives that can really dig in. It’s not about being fussy—just treating the board with the same care you’d give any tool you want to keep around.

5. Fix Scratches and Stains Gently

Little dings and scratches are part of the story, but if you want to clean them up, a bit of fine sandpaper and some oil will usually do the trick. Got a stain? A soft paste of baking soda and water can help lift it without being too harsh.

6. Store It With Care

Whether you’re putting your piece on display or tucking it away, keep it in a dry spot and out of direct sunlight. Don’t stack anything heavy on top of it—especially for boards or trays—to avoid pressure damage.

Built to Last, Meant to Be Used

At North Shore Carpentry, we build every piece with the kind of care we’d want in our own home. Our hope is that your custom woodwork gets used, loved, and passed down—not kept on a shelf gathering dust.

If you ever have questions about caring for something you bought from us, we’re just a message away. We’re always happy to help.