There’s something truly special about solid oak. Its beautiful grain, natural warmth and timeless character make it a wonderful choice for pieces that are used and enjoyed every day.

At Fox & Fern, our oak products are handcrafted using sustainably sourced European oak. Every piece is carefully sanded and finished by hand to enhance the natural beauty of the timber while helping to protect it from everyday use.

Unlike mass-produced materials, solid oak is a natural material. It reacts to moisture, heat and its surroundings, which means a little care goes a long way.

Whether you own a personalised chopping board, butter dish, oak-lid storage jars, egg holder, serving board or another handcrafted oak piece, this guide will show you how to keep it looking its best for years to come.

Why Does Solid Oak Need Looking After?

Oak is an exceptionally strong and durable hardwood, which is one of the reasons it has been used for furniture, flooring and kitchenware for generations.

But it is still a natural material. Changes in moisture and temperature can affect the timber, particularly if it is left wet for long periods or exposed to excessive heat.

Caring for your oak properly helps prevent drying, staining, cracking and warping while preserving its beautiful colour and grain.

How to Clean Oak Kitchen Products

For everyday cleaning, keep things simple.

• Wipe your oak product with a clean, damp cloth after use.
• If necessary, use warm water with a small amount of mild washing-up liquid.
• Avoid soaking the wood or leaving it sitting in water.
• Dry the product thoroughly after cleaning.

The important thing is to avoid prolonged exposure to water. Wood naturally absorbs moisture, and regularly leaving an oak product wet can eventually cause it to swell, move or warp.

Keep Your Oak Away from Extreme Heat

Oak is durable, but sudden or prolonged changes in temperature can cause the wood to dry too quickly.

Try not to leave your oak products directly beside:

• Radiators
• Wood burners or open fires
• Hot ovens or hobs
• Areas receiving intense direct sunlight for long periods

A normal kitchen environment is absolutely fine. It’s prolonged or excessive heat that is best avoided.

When Should You Re-Oil Your Oak?

Over time, regularly used wooden products can naturally begin to look a little lighter or drier.

This isn’t a sign that anything is wrong. It simply means the surface would benefit from a refresh.

At Fox & Fern, we use Osmo TopOil on our oak kitchen products. It is designed specifically for wooden kitchen surfaces and gives the oak a beautiful, natural-looking protective finish.

You don’t need to oil your oak on a strict timetable. Instead, let the appearance of the wood guide you. If it begins to feel dry or looks noticeably paler or duller than it once did, it may be ready for another coat.

How to Remove Light Marks and Scratches from Oak

One of the wonderful things about solid wood is that it can often be refreshed rather than replaced.

Small surface marks and light scratches can usually be gently sanded using fine-grit sandpaper.

Always sand with the direction of the wood grain, rather than across it. Once the area feels smooth, remove the dust and refresh the protective finish.

This ability to restore solid oak is one of the reasons a well-made oak product can remain part of your home for so many years.

Caring for an Oak Chopping Board

A chopping board is made to be used, so don't be afraid of using yours.

Knife marks are a completely normal part of owning a real wooden chopping board. Over time they become part of its character and are very different from damage caused by incorrect care.

To keep your chopping board looking beautiful:

• Clean it promptly after preparing food.
• Do not leave it soaking in a sink.
• Dry it thoroughly after washing.
• Avoid leaving wet food sitting on the board for prolonged periods.
• Refresh the finish when the timber begins to look dry.

If, after years of use, the surface becomes heavily marked, one of the advantages of a substantial solid oak chopping board is that it can often be sanded back and refinished, giving it a new lease of life.

Caring for Oak-Lid Storage Jars

Oak-lid storage jars need very little maintenance.

The glass jar itself can be cleaned separately, while the oak lid should be wiped clean rather than submerged in water.

If the oak lid begins to look dry over time, the finish can be refreshed to bring out the grain and richness of the timber once again.

How to Store Oak Products

When your oak products aren't being used, keep them somewhere dry with normal air circulation.

Larger chopping boards can benefit from occasionally being stored upright rather than permanently flat, particularly if your kitchen worktop tends to become damp underneath them.

Avoid keeping wooden products in very damp cupboards or areas where condensation regularly builds up.

Natural Changes Are Part of the Beauty of Oak

No two pieces of oak will ever look exactly the same.

Each piece has its own grain, colouring and natural characteristics. As oak ages and is used within your home, its appearance can subtly develop too.

These changes aren't flaws. They're part of what makes choosing a natural material so special.

A handcrafted oak product doesn't need to remain looking untouched to remain beautiful. The little signs of everyday life are often what eventually make a piece uniquely yours.

Made to Be Used, Loved and Kept

We don't believe beautiful things should be kept hidden away for fear of marking them.

Our oak products are designed to become part of everyday life.

It might be a personalised chopping board used while preparing Sunday lunch, an oak butter dish on the breakfast table, personalised jars holding your tea and coffee, or a hot chocolate station brought out when the colder evenings arrive.

These are pieces made to be used.

And because they're made from solid oak, a little simple care can keep them looking beautiful for many years to come.