What oil do you use on butcher block?

Food-grade mineral oil, beeswax, or butcher block conditioner. Never use vegetable oils which go rancid.

How often should you oil a butcher block?

Weekly for the first month, then monthly thereafter. Daily during extra-dry winter months.

Avoid bleach. It dries out the wood and leaves residues. Salt and lemon are safer.

Sprinkle salt, rub with a lemon half, let sit 5 minutes, then wipe clean. Sand stubborn stains with fine sandpaper.

Household

A clean butcher block makes a bigger difference than you'd think. Here's the most effective method, plus the mistakes most people make.

1
Wipe with damp cloth
Wipe up crumbs and food debris with a damp cloth after every use.
2
Sanitize with salt and lemon
Sprinkle coarse salt over the block. Cut a lemon in half and rub the salt into the wood with the lemon. The acid and salt sanitize and remove stains.
3
Wipe clean
Wipe with a damp cloth to remove the salt, lemon, and any debris.
4
Disinfect with vinegar (optional)
For extra disinfection after cutting raw meat, wipe with white vinegar. Air dry.
5
Oil the wood
Once dry, apply food-grade mineral oil with a soft cloth. Let absorb, then wipe off excess. Re-oil weekly to monthly.

TIPRe-oil butcher block monthly with food-grade mineral oil to prevent drying and cracking.
TIPNever soak butcher block in water -- it warps and splits the wood.
TIPSand and re-oil every few years to restore a worn surface.

Salt and lemon sanitize naturally. For extra protection after raw meat, wipe with white vinegar.