Cutting board rough after washing. The effect of standing up fibers in oak

If you’ve had occasion to use wood products, such as an oak cutting board, you’ve probably noticed that its surface becomes rough after the first wash.

Such an effect is normal for all woods with long fibers – oak is among those with an open pore structure. The problem of roughness arises when the cutting board is rough after washing – this is the result of standing up fibers that swell when exposed to water. In this post you will learn about the characteristics of oak wood that cause the effect of standing up fibers.

THE EFFECT OF STANDING UP FIBERS – WHY DO OAK FIBERS STAND UP?

When the wood from which an oak cutting board is made is cut, the saw cuts through the fibers, leaving unprotected ends on the surface. If the board is not properly protected (for example, it is raw or only oiled), these ends are susceptible to moisture. After contact with water, the fibers swell and begin to stand off, making the surface of the cutting board rough after washing.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO GET RID OF FIBERS?

If you have purchased an oak cutting board that has become rough after washing, the solution to this problem is simple. Just use the rough side of a dishwashing sponge and gently wipe the board. Mechanical wiping will eliminate the fibers. You can watch our tutorial “Washing an oak cutting board for the first time”, in which we show you step by step how to perform this procedure.

After such wiping, the fibers will be nullified and the problem will not reappear.

HOW TO PREVENT THE PROBLEM WHEN THE CUTTING BOARD IS ROUGH AFTER WASHING?

If you are concerned that your new oak cutting board may become rough after washing, there is an effective method of prevention. Instead of standard vegetable oil, it’s a good idea to use hard wax as a first layer of protection.

WHAT IS HARD WAX AND HOW DOES IT WORK?

Hard wax is a food-safe wood care product. Developed mainly to protect wooden surfaces, such as cutting boards and kitchen countertops. It consists of natural waxes, modified oils and vegetable fatty acids.

The wax forms a protective film on the surface of the board, which does not make it waterproof, but significantly reduces the floating of fibers. At first contact with water, especially when the cutting board is rough after washing, the hard wax helps stick the fibers to the surface, preventing them from floating again.

The wax washes off after about 10 washes, but by then the fibers will have stabilized. After this period, the board can be treated with oil, and it is not necessary to use hard wax again.

SUMMARY

An oak cutting board that becomes rough after washing doesn’t have to mean a problem in the long run. Regular oiling, use of hard wax and gentle washing will help prevent the fibers from floating. With these treatments, the wooden board will maintain its smoothness and functionality for many years.