How to Clean and Care for Resin Art and Cutting Boards

One of the most common questions we get isn't "which piece should I buy" - it's "okay, now how do I take care of this thing?" Fair question. Resin is durable, but it's not indestructible, and a few small habits will keep your piece looking brand new for years.

Here's exactly what to do (and what to avoid).

The Golden Rule: Skip the Dishwasher

If your resin piece is a cutting board, coaster, or serving tray, the single most important rule is this: hand wash only. Dishwashers combine prolonged heat, harsh detergent, and water pressure in a way that can degrade the resin surface and the wood underneath it over time, even on food-safe, fully cured pieces.

Instead:

1. Wash with warm water and mild soap.
2. Use a soft cloth or sponge - nothing abrasive.
3. Dry immediately with a clean towel rather than air-drying flat on a rack.

That last step matters more than people expect. Wood-backed resin pieces do best when they're not left sitting in standing water, since prolonged moisture exposure can affect the wood base even when the resin surface itself is sealed.

Heat: What Resin Can (and Can't) Handle

Fully cured resin is genuinely heat-resistant - up to around 500F, according to our own product specs - which is why it works well for trivets and hot-adjacent kitchen use. That said, "heat resistant" doesn't mean "designed for repeated extreme heat exposure." A few guidelines:

• Fine for occasional contact with warm (not scorching) serving dishes.
• Not ideal as a permanent stovetop trivet used daily for years - repeated heat cycling isn't the same as one-time resistance.
• Avoid placing directly under broilers or open flame.

Sun and UV Exposure

This is the one that surprises people most: resin can develop a subtle amber tint over time with prolonged UV exposure. If a piece lives in a sunroom, on a covered porch, or near a south-facing window that gets intense afternoon sun, expect some gradual color shift over the years - it's a normal characteristic of the material, not a defect.

If you want a piece for an outdoor or high-sun space: display it somewhere with indirect light, or plan to rotate it periodically so any tint develops evenly rather than in a single sun-exposed patch.

Cleaning Wall Art (Non-Functional Pieces)

Resin wall art doesn't get the wear and tear a cutting board does, but dust and light grime still build up over time.

• Weekly: a dry microfiber cloth to remove dust.
• Occasional deeper clean: a slightly damp cloth with a drop of mild soap, then dried immediately. Avoid glass cleaners or ammonia-based products, which can dull the resin's shine over time.
• Never use abrasive scrub pads, as they can create fine scratches that dull the glossy finish.

What About Scratches?

Fine surface scratches are usually more noticeable than they are damaging, since they sit in the top glossy layer rather than affecting the piece structurally. Genuinely deep gouges are uncommon with normal use, but if it happens, avoid trying to "fix" it yourself with sandpaper or polish - reach out to whoever made the piece for guidance specific to that item.

A Simple Resin Care Checklist

Save this for quick reference:

• Hand wash only - no dishwasher
• Dry immediately after washing
• Avoid harsh chemical cleaners
• Keep out of prolonged direct sunlight when possible
• Use as a trivet occasionally, not as a daily hot-pad
• Dust wall art weekly with a dry microfiber cloth
• Avoid abrasive sponges or scouring pads

For general wood-specific advice on the wood-backed portion of boards, general wood cutting board care tips apply just as well to the wood base of a resin serving board.

FAQ: Resin Care

Can I put my resin cutting board in the dishwasher just once?

It won't ruin the piece instantly, but repeated exposure is what causes gradual wear, so it's best to build the habit of hand washing from day one.

My piece has a slight yellow tint now - did something go wrong?

Most likely it's normal UV-related amber tinting from sun exposure, not a defect. It develops gradually and is a known characteristic of cured resin.

Is it safe to cut directly on a resin-topped board?

Check the specific product description, since some resin pieces are designed primarily as serving boards rather than cutting surfaces. When in doubt, use a boot rand cutting mat on top rather than cutting directly into any decorative board.

How do I know if my piece is fully cured and safe to use?

If you purchased a finished piece, it was already fully cured (a minimum 72-hour process) before shipping. You shouldn't need to do anything on your end beyond normal care.

Final Thoughts

Resin care really comes down to two habits: keep it out of the dishwasher, and keep it out of harsh sun for extended periods. Follow those two rules and a good resin piece will genuinely last for years, developing character rather than damage. For our full official guidance, see our resin care instructions or FAQ page.