Wood

Wood is the one material in a kitchen that was recently alive, and it behaves that way: every olive wood mill, acacia board and bamboo piece carries a grain pattern that exists exactly once. In the SantHome range wood appears in cutting boards, salt cellars, pepper mills, utensils and woven bamboo rugs. Dense hardwoods like olive stand up to knives and daily handling, and age into deeper colour rather than wearing out, provided they are kept away from the dishwasher.

Properties

Unique grain: no two boards or mills share a pattern
Olive wood is a dense hardwood, harder than oak, so it resists knife marks well
Natural oils in olive wood give it some built-in water resistance, though not waterproofing
Ages into deeper colour with handling and oiling rather than wearing out
Bamboo is technically a grass, not a wood, but shares timber’s strength-to-weight ratio and is naturally water-resistant

Care

Hand wash only, dry upright, and oil monthly with food-safe mineral oil. Never the dishwasher. The full routine, including odour and scratch fixes, is in our wood care guide.

Caring for Wooden Kitchen Items

Wood FAQs

Why shouldn't olive wood go in the dishwasher?

Prolonged heat and moisture make wood swell, crack and split along the grain, and dishwasher detergent strips its natural oils. A quick hand wash and monthly oiling keep it sound for years.

Will my olive wood board darken over time?

Yes, and that is normal ageing, not damage. Olive wood deepens in colour with handling, oiling and light exposure. Regular oiling keeps the colour change even rather than blotchy.