Homemade Wood Balm
This Homemade Wood Balm is an easy 2-ingredient recipe that conditions and waterproofs your wooden boards, spoons, and butcher blocks. It's made with natural, sustainable ingredients and no mineral oil!
Servings: 4 ounces
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ounce beeswax
- 3 ounces coconut oil
- small storage container heat-resistant; I used a metal tin
Instructions
- Melt coconut oil and beeswax in a small saucepan over low heat.
- Once melted, stir well.
- Remove from the heat and carefully transfer it to your storage container. Make sure the container is rated for high heat.
- Allow it to cool completely before securing the lid.
How to Use Wood Balm
- Use only on completely dry wood.
- Using a clean cloth, scoop a small portion of the balm and use a circular motion to work it into the wood.
- Let it sit for 15-20 minutes.
- Wipe off any excess with a clean cloth.
- Allow the utensils/materials to sit for 24 hours before using.
Notes
- To clean your materials: Once the saucepan and spoon cool enough to handle, wipe them as clean as you can with a paper towel. Do not pour any wax down your drains.
- How often you should use wood balm depends on how often you use your wooden utensils/bowls/boards, but a good rule of thumb is about once a month. The wood needs to be oiled when it is looking dry, dull, or lighter in color.
- I always recommend beeswax pellets, not a block, when you'll be melting it down. Even when cut into smaller pieces, the beeswax blocks take a very long time to melt. If you want to use a block, I recommend shredding it with a cheese grater.
- If your wooden cutting board needs a deep clean before oiling it, scrub it with coarse salt and half a lemon, let it sit for 10 minutes, then rinse. Follow up with a white vinegar rinse to remove odors and bacteria. Allow the cutting board to dry completely before applying wood balm.