Care Guide for Handcrafted Wood Products

Proper care ensures the longevity and beauty of your handcrafted wood products. Here's how to maintain your wooden items for years of enjoyment:

Cleaning Your Wood Products

• Wash your wood board in warm, soapy water, then dry with a tea towel. Always stand the board upright to ensure complete air drying.

• Avoid leaving the board flat, especially on wet surfaces.

• Do not soak your board in water for extended periods.

• Rotate the use of both sides of the board to prevent warping.

• Keep the board out of direct sunlight.

• Never place your board in the dishwasher.

Wood Product Quality & Environmental Factors

I pride myself on delivering high-quality, handcrafted wooden items designed to last. However, wood is a natural material that can react to environmental changes such as humidity, temperature, and weather.

Though I air-dry and season our timber carefully before crafting, movement in the wood—like shrinking, swelling, or warping—can still occur after purchase. Once a product leaves our care, we cannot control the environment it enters. Therefore, we cannot accept responsibility for post-purchase changes caused by these factors.

Oiling Your Wood Products

Oiling is essential to protect your board from splitting, warping, and absorbing excess moisture. Cleaners and soaps can strip the wood of its natural oils, so regular reapplication is necessary. Depending on how frequently you use the board, oil it weekly or monthly.

To oil your board:

1. After washing and drying, apply a generous amount of oil with a paper towel or cloth.

2. Let the oil absorb for about 30 minutes.

3. Buff off any excess oil to prevent a sticky residue from forming.

Recommended food-safe oils include:

• Nicola Thomas Design custom Wood Wax

• Pure Tung Oil

• Beeswax

• Linseed Oil

• Coconut Oil

**DO NOT use olive oil, it can cause your board to go rancid and is therefore not food safe.

Joined Timber Boards

Some of our boards are crafted from laminated, joined timber pieces. This process helps reduce the risk of warping or splitting and provides added stability. We carefully match the grain and use waterproof glue to ensure the strength of each join, often making the joint stronger than the wood itself.

Rustic Natural Edge Slab Boards

Our rustic, natural-edge slab boards feature unique character grains, which can sometimes lead to slight movement, such as twisting or cupping, due to the wood's stress and moisture content. While these boards may show slight movement over time, their beauty and functionality remain intact, making them a long-lasting piece for your kitchen.

With regular care, your handcrafted wood products from Nicola Thomas Design will continue to serve as both functional tools and stunning display pieces