Basic Care & Cleaning

Keep your Shou Sugi Ban cutting board's water-repelling surface and pronounced grain beautiful with these simple daily care steps. 60-second routine explained.

The 60-Second Daily Routine

Your Shou Sugi Ban board's carbon surface naturally repels liquids - you'll see water bead up on the surface rather than soak in. This makes daily care remarkably simple:

  1. Rinse with warm water - watch liquids bead and run off
  2. Wash with mild soap and soft brush/cloth, working with the pronounced grain
  3. Rinse thoroughly - the water-repelling surface speeds this process
  4. Dry completely with a towel, then stand vertically to air dry

Your ARTSN board is finished using a traditional Shou Sugi Ban charring process. The carbon layer becomes part of the wood itself, creating a surface that protects, preserves, and ages beautifully over time.

As you use your board, light cutting, scraping, and washing may gently refine the surface. You may notice subtle changes in sheen, tone, or texture.

This is normal.

Think of it like:

The seasoning on a cast iron pan

The patina that develops on leather

The fade of well-worn denim

Use doesn’t ruin the finish. Use reveals it.

With simple care, your board develops character, not damage, becoming more personal, more beautiful, and uniquely yours with every meal.

NEVER

  • Soak or submerge - even water-repelling surfaces need respect

  • Put in the Dishwasher - heat and prolonged moisture damage any wood

  • Use harsh chemicals - they're unnecessary and can damage the carbon surface

  • Use as a hot pad - Excessive and [rolonged heat can crack or warp wood

  • Aggressively scrape foods off with the knife edge - This can damage and disturb the carbon surface.

  • Use abrasive scrubbers or steel wool - Can damage the carbon surface; stick to soft brushes