A wooden cutting board in the kitchen is very versatile, extremely durable, aesthetically appealing, and ideal for you to chop your fruits, vegetables, or meat on. They smell great when cleaned; however, if they are not cleaned properly, they are smelly as well!
In this post,, we will mention the the best way to clean wood cutting boards at home (using magic oils like baking soda and some natural ingredients that are usually found in the kitchen). Let’s get started!
The Reason Why Wood Cutting Board Must Be Cleaned Regularly
You should clean your wood-cutting board to avoid a layer of germs and bacteria breeding over it, especially if you are cutting raw meat. It also helps you to stay shiny and fresh for a long time.
Also Read: How to Clean up Bat Guano a Homemaker’s Gguide
Guide to Clean a Wood Cutting Board Step-by-Step
1. Basic Cleaning After Each Use
Wash your wood cutting board with a little detergent after you have cut fruits or veggies.
Warm water Mild dish soap Soft sponge
Wipe the soapy sponge across the surface of the board, rinse with warm water, and dry using a clean towel. Keep moisture out of the wood.
2. Sanitize A Wood Cutting Board Post Meat Needed
Extra care is required to eliminate harmful bacteria fully when you use your board for raw meat.
· Hot Water · Dish Soap · White Vinegar
Scrub the board with hot, soapy water first. Follow that up with a vinegar-soaked cloth to decontaminate the surface.
The vinegar will actually kill the bacteria. That will be the express drying step of your board.
3. How to clean wood cutting board with lemon
Lemon is the best friend when it comes to cleaning any wood-cutting board with tough stains and smells.
Lemon and salt
Salt a board and scrub the lemon cut-side down on top. The salt will help remove stains, and the lemon helps to deodorize your board. Wash in hot water, then dry the board.
4. Use Baking Soda to Clean a Wood Cutting Board
Best used as a cleaner for more worn cutting boards or with tougher stains following the washing process.
Baking soda and water.
Combine baking soda with water to form a paste. Scrub the board with a sponge to rub in the paste. It is also essential in removing stains and smells. Rinse the board with water and allow it to dry.
5. Vinegar for Cleaning with a Wood Cutting Board
If your cutting boards are made of wood, then vinegar would be a good cleanser. This helps sanitize and deodorize the board.
White vinegar and Water
Combine equal amounts of vinegar and water. With a clean cloth, wipe the board with this solution. Using vinegar keeps the cutting board clean and kills off any bacteria.
Gentle Scrubbing Techniques
When cleaning your wood cutting board, the soft-bristle brush helps you to scrub lightly over all surfaces.
Choose circular motions to clean the surface evenly with less pressure than usual. Scrub back and forth to cover the cutting board area.
A mild soap or detergent is best for softer surfaces such as this. This can be done using water to wash away the soapy residue that may have built up and damaged with time.
Doing this will preserve the quality of your cutting board and keep it useful for a longer time.
Related Reading: How to Clean a Burnt Nonstick-Pan?
Best Cleaning Solutions to Recommend
Using half white vinegar & half water makes a great disinfecting solution for surfaces and keeps the house clean.
A baking soda paste will get tough stains and smells out of your synthetic material.
The gentle, natural abrasive is perfect for the job! Hydrogen peroxide is a great way to disinfect and whiten anything.
When combined with salt, lemon juice makes a fantastic natural abrasive cleaner to cut through tough residues.
These cleaning remedies are not only rewarding but also make use of natural and green alternatives that all householders have in their storage.
Deep Cleaning and Sanitizing
Use a solution of warm water and mild detergent, and scrub surfaces to scratch out any dirt or grime. Then it would help if you sprayed a disinfectant, or use a solution to kill germs and viruses, especially in high-traffic areas.
Let it air dry completely to prevent bacteria, fungus (mold and mildew), etc., from growing.
For a more systematic sanitization protocol, you can improve the level of cleanliness and hygiene by including steam cleaning or specific tools in your regimen.
Removing Stubborn Stains
In order to deal with the most stubborn, put a small amount of baking soda and water together into a paste in the bowl.
Apply it directly on the spot to break up the stain. Leave it for about 15 minutes before scrubbing.
A bit of white vinegar mixed with dish soap goes a long way to removing tougher stains from all the different areas around your place.
Drying and Storage Tips
As soon as you clean your wooden chopping board, it would help if you dried it thoroughly with a clean cloth.
This will help to prevent wooden boards from ruins by over moisture. To avoid moisture build-up, stand the board in an upright position so that plenty of air can still pass through.
To keep the cutting board from warping and cracking, store it in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight.
Applying Mineral Oil to wooden cutting Board
Periodically applying a food-safe mineral oil will help keep the wood in shape and develop water resistance. This way, you can greatly increase the life of your wooden chopping board, and It will remain flawless for years.
The first step is to clean the wood and ensure it dries completely before putting on mineral oil.
On a clean, lint-free cloth or directly onto the wood. Rub the oil into the wood using a circular motion, and try to cover the entire surface in an even fashion.
Let it sit for a few hours, if not overnight, to let the oil soak into the wood. Last but not least, elbow grease the leftover oil off with a clean cloth so your wood-cutting board is nice and conditioned!
Using Beeswax for Protection of Wooden Cutting Board
The beeswax provides a great seal against moisture harm on any wood-cutting board.
The beeswax will not only protect the wood on your wooden chopping board but will also draw out its natural beauty and characteristics. It also makes the wooden board attractive and stand out, making it a nicer-looking chopping board.
This naturally derived material forms a food-safe coating, meaning your cutting surface is sanitary and safe to use for edible food preparation.
By treating your cutting board with beeswax on a regular basis, you can make it last much longer while also ensuring that it remains looking good for years.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
An absence of washing your hands when handling the cutting board will result in contamination with pathogenic bacteria, as well as potentially contaminated food.
While harsh chemicals or bleach work well for cleaning, they can harm the wood and, if not rinsed properly, leave behind dangerous residues.
Submerging a board is one way we might think we’re thoroughly cleaning it—like soaking our dishes in the sink—but all that water can cause warping and threaten your relationship with the board.
Moreover, not oiling the cutting board every so often can cause it to dry out and crack, making it prone to splitting. This will shorten its lifespan.
Pro tip: Oil your wood-cutting board
Keep your cutting in its best form by oiling it once a month. It keeps the wood from splitting as it dries. Rub a food-grade mineral oil on the surface and leave it to soak in for a few hours or even overnight.
Conclusion
Cleaning wood cutting boards can be done easily if you know the right techniques. At the same time, baking soda, vinegar, or lemon will preserve your board cleaning fresh and efficiently. This type of safer alternative will give your kitchen a pleasant feeling every time you cut something!