For six weeks, food writer Marian Bull rigorously tested plastic-free cutting boards. She ended up recommending four wooden options. Her favorite, a maple cutting board from John Boos, has lasted nearly a decade with proper care. Below, she shares her three-step method for preserving wooden cutting boards.
1. Wash It
Start by cleaning your cutting board. Remove any food residue and wash it with a gentle soap and water. Next, thoroughly dry your wooden board. To speed up the process and help it dry evenly, Bull leans hers against something, such as a dish rack or backsplash, rather than lying it on top of a towel. "I'm impatient," she joked.
2. Oil It
After your board is dry, apply a food-grade mineral oil with a clean towel. This helps prevent your wooden cutting board from warping. Bull uses oil from John Boos, which is designed for wood. She recommends letting the oil sit overnight and wiping off any excess in the morning.
3. Moisturize It
A cream can help moisturize your board and prevent it from cracking. Bull says some people recommend adding cream each week, but she takes a more relaxed approach. "I think telling a basic home cook to do it more than once a month is a little crazy." She uses John Boos Board & Block Cream, made with food-grade mineral oil and unbleached beeswax. To apply, use a small amount of cream and a clean towel. After letting it sit for a few hours or overnight, wipe away any leftover residue.
Bull recommends flour sack towels for their feel and wear. King Arthur Flour Sack Towels are a good option.
Non-Toxic Kitchen Upgrades
If you are new to plastic-free kitchen items, consider Our Place's Titanium Always Pan Pro. It was named best overall in tests of nonstick, non-toxic pans. Right now, Our Place is running a sale for Memorial Day, offering discounts on select finishes.
Bath Sheets Tested
Our resident bath towel expert, Jon Chan, investigated bath sheets. He tested one from American Soft Linen, taking advantage of its massive size to fashion it into a Romanesque toga and a body wrap. Read his full review to see if the bath sheet unseated his beloved Parachute linens.
Travel Corner: Personal Item Backpacks
Our favorite personal-item backpacks all help you avoid gate fees. Filter contributor Jessica Reyes tested 12 models on flights to find under-seat bags worthy of replacing your carry-on suitcase. The winner is a lightweight option from an Australian brand, the Bellroy Lite Travel Pack.
Health Corner: Back Pain Essentials
After Filter contributor Richard Baguley slipped a disc in his back, he tested gadgets to aid his recovery. From slip-on shoes disguised as lace-ups to a foldable trolley, he shared seven products that made his recovery bearable. Recommendations include Kizik Lima 2 Slip-on Shoes and Clax Cart.
In the News: PFAS in Leggings
After the Texas attorney general's office opened an investigation into Lululemon for potentially using PFAS in its apparel, we asked three experts how worried we should be. They recommend PFAS-free brands and suggest checking our guide to non-toxic pans and rain jackets.
