Wood Care Guide Using Flax Wax

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by Valerie Franklin
July 02, 2026
2 min read

Here's how to use it to care for your wood spoons, spatulas, bench scrapers, and cutting boards in the kitchen:

Still-life of a hand-carved wood spoon, abrasive hand pad, cotton buff rag, and flax wax in a rich gold color

Step-by-Step: How to Maintenance Kitchen Wood Utensils

1. Gather Your Materials

Abrasive pad: preferably the "just right" pad included with our wood care kit. (Or use a household green Scotch-Brite pad or similar)
Buff rag: preferably natural fibers like cotton and lint-free
Wood conditioner: preferably Flax Wax or a wood butter with beeswax. (Or use a simple drying oil like flaxseed or walnut)

2. Apply with Abrasive Pad

Use the abrasive pad to scoop up a little conditioner. Use that pad to apply the conditioner to clean, dry wood utensils.

A person holding an abrasive pad with a dollop of yellow wood conditioner wax in one hand and a dry wood spoon in the other hand

3. Thin Coat All Over Surface

Make sure to get corners, cracks, and crevices. The wood should look shiny and it won't immediately soak in.

A person rubbing a wood spoon with an abrasive pad, leaving the spoon shiny and wet-looking

4. Vigorously Sand with Abrasive

Use friction to apply the conditioner deeper into the surface. Use the abrasiveness of the buttered pad to vigorously sand down any woodgrain that’s risen.

5. Let It Rest

Let the conditioner soak into the wood. Rest as long as you can -- up to 24 hours.

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6. Buff Dry (Very Important!)

After a rest, buff the spoon dry with the rag. Absorb any excess conditioner into the fabric. Restore a mellow glow to the wood: it should not be shiny or wet-looking. It's ready to use!