Each Fifth Design piece is hand poured and hand finished from solid Camphor Laurel timber and a hand-poured epoxy resin. With basic care, your piece will hold its colour, grain and finish for many years.

First use.

Wipe both sides with a soft, damp cloth and dry immediately. Your piece arrives sealed and ready to use, but a fresh wipe before first use is good practice.

Day-to-day cleaning.

• Hand wash with warm water and a small amount of mild dish soap
• Soft cloth or sponge only, no scourers, steel wool, or abrasive pads
• Dry immediately with a clean tea towel. Do not air dry or leave wet
• Never put your piece in the dishwasher
• Never soak the timber for extended periods

Caring for the timber side.

Camphor Laurel is a prized Australian hardwood, naturally antibacterial and full of rich grain. Like any timber, it benefits from regular oiling to stay supple and prevent drying or cracking.

• Oil every few weeks with food-grade mineral oil and a beeswax plus mineral oil blend
• Apply with a clean cloth, work into the grain, leave for 20 minutes, then wipe off the excess
• Oil more often if you use the board daily, or if you notice the timber looking dry or pale
• Do not use olive oil, vegetable oil or any food oil that can go rancid

Because Camphor Laurel is naturally antibacterial, you do not need to do deep cleans with lemon, vinegar or salt scrubs. Regular wash, dry and oil is all your board needs.

Caring for the resin side.

The resin side is hardwearing but can pick up fine micro-scratches over time, treat it like a fine finish on a piece of furniture.

• Do not chop, slice or cut on the resin
• Do not place hot pans, plates or food directly on the resin, always use a trivet
• When serving food on the resin side, use parchment paper between food and resin where you like
• Wipe clean with a soft, damp cloth. No need to oil the resin
• Buff lightly with a soft dry cloth to restore shine

Heat and sunlight.

Both timber and resin react to extremes. Keep your piece away from direct sunlight for long periods, away from radiators or open flames, and never expose it to temperatures above 50 degrees Celsius. Heat warps timber and can soften or discolour resin.

Stains and marks.

• Light stains on timber. A paste of baking soda and water, gently rubbed in, then wiped off and dried.
• Marks on resin. A soft cloth with warm soapy water is usually plenty.
• Deep cuts or chips. Email us a photo. We can sometimes refinish or repair from our studio.

Storage.

• Store flat or upright on a soft surface, never stacked with weight on top of the resin
• Avoid storing in damp areas like under the sink

Bowls, coasters and other resin pieces.

Resin coasters, bowls and small pieces follow the same rules. The resin surface is decorative, not food contact. Treat it gently and it will hold its finish for years.

Cheese knives and accessories.

Hand wash, dry immediately. Do not put cheese knives in the dishwasher, the heat and detergent damage the handle and the blade finish over time. Apply a small amount of food-grade mineral oil to the wooden handle every few months.

Still not sure?

If you have a specific question about caring for your piece, get in touch. Our live website assistant in the bottom-right of every page is the fastest way to get an answer, or email customersupport@thefifthdesign.com.au.