Are Rubio Monocoat Oils and Finishes Food-Safe? Your Guide to Caring for Wood Cutting Boards, Butcher Blocks, and Countertops

Wooden surfaces like cutting boards, butcher blocks, and countertops are popular choices in the kitchen because of their natural beauty and durability. However, these surfaces require proper care and maintenance to keep them looking their best and to ensure they remain safe for food preparation.

Your choice of wood care product is essential throughout your home, but the products you use to treat and protect wooden surfaces that come into contact with food need special attention. So should you clean and protect the wood in your kitchen, and are Special Hardwood's Rubio Monocoat products food-safe?

Read on to learn more about how to care for wooden kitchen surfaces—and what products you can use to ensure their safety.

Food-Safe Certification

Any product used in the kitchen should be safe for contact with food. This means food can be cut, cleaned, or otherwise prepared and left to rest on surfaces with no chance of contamination with dangerous amounts of cleaners, finishes, or other chemicals which might be harmful if consumed.

One of the most significant advantages of Rubio Monocoat Oil Plus 2C is its food-safe certification. While no product like this is intended for human consumption and shouldn’t be directly ingested, it’s perfectly safe to use on wooden surfaces with which food comes into contact.

Caring for Wood Cutting Boards

Cutting boards are an essential part of any kitchen, but they can also harbor bacteria if not cleaned and maintained correctly. To care for your wood cutting board, wash it with hot soapy water, dry it with a clean dish towel, and stand it on end to air-dry.

Once dry, wipe it down with a damp cloth, and above all else, avoid leaving it in standing water. Every few weeks, apply Rubio Monocoat Oil Plus 2C to the board’s surface using a clean cloth and allow it to soak in for 24 hours before wiping off any excess oil.

Clean and Protect Butcher Blocks

Butcher blocks are larger and more heavy-duty than cutting boards, but they also require regular maintenance to keep them in good condition. To clean a butcher block:

1. Use a mixture of vinegar and water or a mild soap and water solution.
2. Using a clean cloth,  apply Rubio Monocoat Oil Plus 2C to the surface.
3. Allow it to dry completely before using the block again.

Beautify Countertops with Non-Toxic, Food-Safe Oil Plus 2C

Wooden countertops are a beautiful addition to any kitchen, but spills, scratches, and heat can easily damage them. To protect your wooden countertop, use coasters and trivets to prevent hot pots and pans from coming into contact with the surface.

It’s essential to clean the surface regularly as well. Use a damp cloth and a mild soap solution, and be sure to wipe up any standing water before it has a chance to cause damage. Every few weeks, apply Rubio Monocoat Oil Plus 2C to the surface of the countertop using a clean cloth and allow it to soak in for 24 hours before wiping off any excess oil.

Beauty, Protection, and Safety for Your Wooden Surfaces

All of the wooden surfaces in your home require proper care to retain their beauty and functionality, but there are other considerations in the kitchen. The products you use to clean and treat wooden surfaces that come into contact with food need special care to ensure they keep your food safe and free from harmful contaminants.

Rubio Monocoat Oil Plus 2C is an excellent product for caring for and maintaining different wooden surfaces. It’s made from all-natural linseed oil, meaning it produces no VOCs and is entirely safe for surfaces used to prepare food.