There are a number of reasons why you may need to store all of your household goods. You may be moving out of your existing home but have yet to purchase a new place to live. You may be moving out of your current residence, moving back home with family. You may be planning on traveling or living in another country for several months. Or you may be combining households with a new partner but don't want to get rid of your belongings until you are sure it will work. Regardless of why you are placing household goods in a self storage unit, the goal is to be able to remove the items placed inside and have them in the same condition they went in as. Unfortunately, failing to properly prepare items for storage can have the opposite effect. If you have a wooden cutting board going into storage, you will want to properly prepare it, to ensure it does not warp, crack, or become damaged. Here are the steps you will want to follow to prepare a wood cutting board for storage.

  1. Run the board under the hottest water you can stand to touch. Use a sponge and dish soap to clean the entire surface, making sure you thoroughly clean any dips or grooves where food or juices may be trapped. Always use a soft sponge, rather than an abrasive scrubbing agent or you could scratch the wood. Rinse the cutting board well to remove all soap residue. Cleaning the board well helps to remove food and particles built up on the board. If these particles are left, they can cause permanent stains while the board is in storage.
  2. The next thing you will want to do is disinfect the board. The easiest way to do this is to soak a cloth in pure white vinegar and wipe the board down. If you don't have vinegar or prefer not to use it, you can mix two tablespoons of chlorine bleach in a gallon of water and wipe your board down with this mixture. Both of these methods work to kill any bacteria and germs that may be living on the board. 
  3. Use a soft cloth to dry the board as well as you can. Do not allow it to air dry, as the water can work its way into the fibers of the wood. This can cause it to expand and crack. It can also warp the wood. This is why you should always hand clean a wooden cutting board and never allow it to soak in water or place it in a dishwasher.
  4. After the board is clean, you will want to lubricate, oil, or moisturize the wood. There are many wood oils and moisturizing products on the market. Select one based on the type of wood your cutting board is made from. Once you have purchased your preferred oiling or moisturizing product, apply a small amount of the oil or lubricating cream to a clean, soft cloth. Rub the product into the wood, rubbing in the same direction as the grain of the wood. Continue applying more product to your cloth as needed, and work it in until the wood no longer absorbs it. You may see or feel the product sitting on the wood, rather than soaking in. Use a dry, soft cloth to wipe away any excess product.
  5. Allow the board to sit for a day or two, allowing it to soak in the lotion or oils. Do not pack it right away, as the moisturizing items can rub off on other products or fail to work their way into the wood if not left to air dry.

Once you have prepared your wood cutting board for storage, you will want to pack it. Wrapping it in newspaper or tissue paper can help prevent it from scratching. Packing it securely in a box or tote will prevent it from bouncing around, which can keep its line clean and sharp. After removing your board from storage, you will want to follow the same steps as above to get your board ready to be used again.

 

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