Your pricey cutting board looked so rustic and professional when you first bought it, but after years of slicing, chopping, and quick wipe-downs, it’s looking a bit worse for the wear. Instead of investing in a newer model, use these smart tips for breathing new life into your current one.

1. Wash with soap and water. While you likely don’t usually wash your cutting board with soap and water, you’ll want to do it now to remove any bacteria. Try to move quickly so that the water doesn’t soak in.
2. Buff out scratches. Use a medium-grade sandpaper to buff out scratches from the surface of the cutting board. Go over it again with a very fine sandpaper to smooth the surface and take it back to its original texture.
3. Create a mineral oil and beeswax mixture. Microwave one cup of USP-grade mineral oil with 1/2 teaspoon of beeswax. This should only take about 45 seconds.
4. Oil the cutting board. Rub this mixture into your cutting board by hand. Rub with the grain, then let it sit for several minutes before wiping the excess with a clean cloth.
5. Dry the cutting board. Allow your cutting board to dry overnight, then give it one last wipe-down with a dry cloth.
6. Add a beeswax topcoat. Rub just beeswax into the surface of the now-oiled cutting board to create a glossy finish.

​How to Refinish a Kitchen Cutting Board [Homeguides]
How to Revive Old Cutting Boards [The Shabby Creek Cottage]
How I Refinished My Grandma’s Old Dough Board [Brown Eyed Baker]

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr Real Cowboys Drive Cadillacs