Homemade Wood Conditioner Recipe

Seal and condition all your wooden utensils and cutting boards with this simple, nourishing three ingredient homemade wood conditioner.

Part of maintaining a home is taking care of the things you have. When it comes to kitchen maintenance, I utilize a lot of wood utensils and cutting boards. One way to keep them working for you and in good condition is to use a wood conditioner or a wood butter. Homemade wood conditioner uses mineral oil and beeswax to fill the pores within the wood and create a protective layer so no bacteria and liquids penetrate the wood and create issues like wood rot. It also helps to reduce the chance of lingering odors and smells.

Whether you’ve just added a new wooden tool to your kitchen or you have some old, dull pieces in your collection that just need a little TLC, this wood butter is perfect. What’s great about this recipe is it’s only three ingredients: mineral oil, beeswax and orange essential oil. The mineral oil nourishes the wood and together with the beeswax, forms a protective layer over the wood. I love adding orange essential oil or really any citrus oil to give the wood conditioner a pleasant, fresh and clean scent. You can make this wood butter in bulk to have on hand for years to come or to give as gifts, which is always a plus!

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FAQs

What is wood butter or wood conditioner?

Wood conditioner is a combination of beeswax and mineral oil that is used to condition wooden kitchen utensils and cutting boards.

What does wood conditioner do?

Homemade wood conditioner works to penetrate the pores of wooden utensils and cutting boards, similarly to seasoning cast iron cookware. It helps to protect the wood from absorbing juices and smells from the food that touches it. This helps protect the wood from drying, cracking, warping or rotting from the inside out due to extra moisture build-up.

How often should you condition your wood utensils and cutting boards?

For new wooden pieces in your kitchen, you should condition them right away before use, using a larger amount to allow it to penetrate the wood. After the initial conditioning session, use the homemade wood conditioner a few more times to ensure it is fully protected. Then condition wood pieces in your kitchen as needed, every few months or so.

How do you use wood conditioner?

Saturate a portion of a clean cloth with the wood conditioner then rub it all over the wood. Allow the oil mixture to set for 5-10 minutes then wipe off extra with a clean cloth, then condition wood as needed.

Before & After Using Wood Conditioner

How to Make Homemade Wood Conditioner

Tools You May Need:

• Measuring cups and spoons
• Small heat-proof bowl
• Small saucepan
• 4 oz glass jar

Materials Needed:

• 3 tbs beeswax pellets
• 1/4 cup food grade mineral oil
• 30 drops orange essential oil (optional)

Directions

Add beeswax pellets and mineral oil to a heat-proof mixing bowl.

Place the mixing bowl on top of a pot of boiling water, to create a double boiler, and allow the beeswax to melt fully.

Remove the bowl from the pot and allow it to cool for 5 minutes.

Add the essential oil or oils of choice.

While the mixture is still liquid, pour it into a clean 4 oz jar.

Allow the homemade wood butter to solidify and fully cool before placing a lid on the jar.

To use, coat a portion of a clean rag with the butter and apply it to wood utensils and cutting boards.

Notes

• You can use any type of beeswax for this recipe.
• Mineral oil is the oil of choice for wood conditioning because it does not go rancid, unlike other oils like olive oil and even tallow.
• Double or triple this recipe to make larger quantities.
• Store the wood butter in a cool place in an airtight container.

Looking for more home maintenance tutorials?

Looking for more home maintenance tutorials like this one? Check these out:

• How to Restore Cast Iron from Rusty to Usable
• How to Strip Laundry for a Deep Clean
• DIY Fabric Refresher Spray
• DIY Grout Cleaner

Did you try making and using this homemade wood conditioner? If you did, I’d really love to see it. Tag me on Instagram (@thesimplehomeplace) to show me your own recreation of this tutorial!