For years, I’ve been meaning to get mineral oil to use on my ever-growing collection of wood and bamboo cutting boards and wooden utensils. It’s one of those items that — it turns out — isn’t all that easy to find. My dad and I had this discussion recently, after I finally found a food-grade mineral oil that has become the superstar of my cleaning repertoire. It turns out, mineral oil has many uses beyond conditioning and protecting wood and bamboo from warping (as well as thwarting bacterial buildup). Be sure to get food grade mineral oil if you are planning to use it on items you use for cooking. Here are just a few ways it can be used around the house.
- Season your cast iron with it.
- Apply it to stainless steel knives, tools and appliances to prevent rust and add a protective barrier. The appliances, lid of our trash can and the stainless-steel trim on the toaster oven and coffee maker each now bear a sheen that repels fingerprints for at least a week, if not two.
- It also is a fantastic replacement for Goo-Gone, as it removes oil-based spots and spills from clothing and can banish sticker residue.
- Rub it on granite to seal and darken. Use it to pump up the glam factor on soapstone sinks and seal and refurbish slate countertops with it, as well.
- As mentioned, revive, condition and product wood and bamboo cutting boards and butcher block countertops.
NOLA Boards, which is on Magazine Street and has a location in Baton Rouge, has a mineral oil and beeswax board conditioner made with mineral and coconut oil, Vitamin E and beeswax. According to the NOLA Boards website, it can be used alone or as a follow up to mineral oil.
Finally, Vintage Green Review on Magazine Street carries Humble Suds Revival Wood and Leather Conditioner, which contains organic raw beeswax, vegetable glycerin , organic cold expeller-pressed virgin coconut oil, organic extra virgin olive oil, grapefruit oil and lemongrass oil. It can be used on cutting boards, furniture and leather goods.
Do you use mineral oil? If so and you have a use that isn’t listed above, please share in comments or email melanie@myneworleans.com.