Caring for Your Piece

Solid wood is easy to live with — it just asks for a little attention now and then. Here's how we care for our own pieces at home, and how to keep yours looking good for years.

Cutting Boards & Kitchen Pieces

Hand wash with mild soap and warm water, then dry it upright right away. Never put a board in the dishwasher or leave it soaking in the sink — that's the fastest way to crack or warp solid wood.

About once a month — or whenever the wood starts to look dry — rub in a coat of food-grade mineral oil and let it soak in overnight. A board cream (mineral oil and beeswax) adds an extra layer of protection on top. If a well-used board ever gets knife-scarred or rough, a light sanding and a fresh coat of oil will bring it right back.

Cedar Planters

Cedar is naturally rot-resistant, so your planter can live outside with no finish at all — left alone, it'll weather to a handsome silver-gray. If you'd rather keep the warm cedar color, a coat of exterior oil or sealer once a season will do it.

Keep the drainage holes clear so water can run through, and set the planter up on small feet or blocks to lift it slightly off decks and porches — good airflow underneath keeps both the planter and your deck happy.

Keepsake & Indoor Pieces

Indoor pieces mostly just need a dusting with a soft cloth. An occasional coat of furniture wax or oil will keep the finish rich. Keep them out of direct sunlight and away from heat vents — strong sun fades the color, and dry heat is hard on solid wood.

One more thing: wood moves with the seasons. A hairline gap in winter or a slightly snug lid in summer is normal — it's not a flaw, it's part of the character of a solid-wood piece.

Custom & Furniture Pieces

Finished furniture wants the basics: wipe with a barely-damp cloth and dry it, use coasters under anything wet or hot, and stick felt pads under lamps and décor so the finish doesn't scratch. Skip silicone sprays and all-purpose cleaners — they build up a film that's hard to ever refinish over. A quality furniture wax once or twice a year is all the polish a piece needs.

Solid wood is happiest where people are comfortable — steady indoor humidity, away from heat vents and radiators. Big seasonal swings (a garage in January, a sunroom in July) make wood move more than it should, so give a furniture piece a settled spot indoors.

Shop & Garage Pieces

Workbenches, saw stations, and shop fixtures are built to work, not to be babied — but two things will double their life: keep them off wet concrete (feet, casters, or a scrap of rubber underneath), and brush off sawdust before it soaks up spills or glue. If the work surface starts looking thirsty, a coat of paste wax or a wipe of oil keeps glue drips and rust rings from biting in — and everything slides nicer, too.

The Short List of Don'ts

Whatever the piece: no dishwashers, no soaking in water, no direct heat, no long stretches of direct sun, and no harsh chemical cleaners. Those five cover nearly every way a solid-wood piece ever gets hurt — and damage from them isn't covered by our warranty, so when in doubt, ask us first.

Questions?

If you're ever unsure about a piece, email us at orders@roughcutcedarco.com — we're glad to help. And if a piece needs a repair or a refresh, bring it back to the bench and we'll get it back in shape.

— Roughcut Cedar Co. · Handcrafted Woodworking · Est. 2026