Wood – friend to humans, enemy to bacteria

Wood is a magnificent resource and we at Victorinox are passionate about using it. Learn more about wood and you too will come to love this resource which is so amazing that it could only have been created by nature.

With water: The best way to clean wood products is with a damp cloth, a soft sponge or simply your hands, along with plenty of water.

Dry them off well: Whether it’s a cutting board or a knife handle, it’s important to dry all wood parts thoroughly after washing them and not to leave them to air dry. Air drying can leave lime residue from the water. And bacteria may also collect in the damp wood.

Do not use soap: Do not use detergent or soap. The reason is that soap and detergent wash away the natural oils found in wood and you must then apply oil to the wood more frequently.

Do not use the dishwasher: Dishwashers pose several hazards for wood. For one, chemicals can flush out the important natural oils in the wood, making it brittle. Another is the dampness inside the dishwasher, which is harmful to a natural material like wood and can promote the growth of mold. On top of that, wood is exposed to continuous movement inside the dishwasher, caused by the repeated spraying with water. That leads to unnecessary wear and tear on the wood.

Never leave wood lying in water: Wood is a dry material. If left in water for longer periods, the pores absorb the water.

Stains (from beets, kale, turmeric, etc.): You can sand down stained wood surfaces, and this even has an added antibacterial effect. This is because when you treat the surface – whether by cutting into the wood or sanding it – tannic acids are released from within. They are the kiss of death for all bacteria.

Odors: If your wood product ever develops an unpleasant odor, we recommend first rinsing it with 60°C hot water and then brushing it clean with vinegar, following the direction of the wood grain. Afterward, let the product dry off completely and then treat it with oil. The vinegar also helps to remove bacteria or to neutralize them.

Bacteria: If you have doubts about whether a wood board really is free of bacteria, another method is to simply put it in the microwave. This will kill all bacteria instantly.

Graying wood: Wood surfaces with gray patches or stains can be sanded with very fine-grain sandpaper, following the direction of the grain, and then oiled. The more you repeat this process – a little sanding, oiling and then again a little sanding then oiling – the smoother and shinier the surface will be.

If you take good care of your wood product, you will reap the rewards of a very long service life. We recommend treating the wood regularly with oil. In a normal household, where a board is used on a daily basis, we recommend an annual treatment with oil. Using oil ensures that germs cannot penetrate too deeply into the wood. Wood pores that have absorbed oil give the wood a denser surface, making it less susceptible to penetration by bacteria. In addition, the oil prevents the board from taking on the odor of foodstuffs cut on the surface of the board.

1. Clean the wood product thoroughly. Use hot water, perhaps as hot as 60° Celsius, and vinegar.
2. Completely dry the board.
3. Using a soft cloth or a paper towel, apply generous amounts of oil evenly across the board. The thinner the oil, the deeper it can penetrate into the wood, and thus the deeper the level of protection. That’s why we recommend warming the oil slightly.
4. Let the board sit for a few hours or, even better, overnight so that the oil is absorbed.
5. If the board still feels sticky or oily after the oil has soaked in, use a cloth or paper towel to wipe off any excess oil residue.

It is important to use the correct oil. By using an oil mixture specifically prepared for treating wood, the wood will maintain a natural feel and the oil will also remain stable for longer and will not leave oil stains or develop a rancid odor.