If you’ve purchased a wooden cutting board, you’ll need to apply a finish to prevent the board from becoming damaged with use. The first step is to choose your preferred finish. Cutting-board finishes come in 2 categories: drying and non-drying. Drying oils require only a single application and soak deep into the wood fibers. Non-drying finishes do not dry or harden in the wood, and so will need frequent reapplication. [1] Cutting boards made from plastic do not need to be finished. [ Edit ] Steps [ Edit ] Selecting a Non-Drying Finish Use mineral oil for an affordable, popular finish. Mineral oil applies easily onto the surface of a wooden cutting board. This option is water resistant, meaning that juicy foods like tomatoes or raw meat won’t leak fluids into your cutting boards. Mineral oil is actually derived from petroleum, but is completely food safe. Since it’s a non-drying oil, it won’t leave an aroma behind. [2] You can purchase mineral oil at any kitchen store or woodw...