Cleaning your wooden cutting board with warm water and standard dish soap is an acceptable way of washing it, but you’ll want to use these other cleaning agents to ensure that it’s sanitized as well. She adds, "Stand the board on its edge until completely dry, then store flat after it's dry." “Vinegar contains acetic acid. Then rinse off and dry. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer), ways you could be cleaning your kitchen wrong, surprisingly dirty kitchen items that you need to clean right now, how to clean other tricky household objects, Do Not Sell My Personal Information – CA Residents. Mold is a common problem for some cutting boards. Prenter says that the citric acid in lemons is far too weak to actually sanitize your cutting board, but it will help to remove any lingering smells. However, caring for a board requires some steps that may not initially be intuitive. Utilize the antibacterial properties of lemon juice to clean to a wood cutting board and lift stains with citric acid. RELATED: How to Clean A Mattress the easy way. To kill the germs on your cutting board, use a paper towel to wipe the board down with hydrogen peroxide. Rinse thoroughly with hot water. And, as if that weren’t enough of a reason to only buy wooden cutting boards from now on, when taken care of properly, a wooden cutting board can actually last for 10, 15 or even more years. Wooden cutting boards and butcher blocks stay much cleaner and mold-free when they are given a regular coating of oil. Step 1: Clean. If the odor is borderline toxic, you can fill up a sink or bin with white vinegar and dunk your entire board. For a more natural route, you can also cut lemons in half and rub the board down with the sides of the … Rinse the board under … Never clean a wooden cutting board in the dishwasher or soak it in water. Then, wipe down with warm, soapy water and dry. Related: Why You Should Never Put Kitchen Knives in the Dishwasher. Credit: This acid will disinfect the board and prevent against common food-related sicknesses like Salmonella and E.coli,” says Jack Prenter, founder of. Use a clean kitchen towel or paper towels to spread a thin, even layer of the mineral oil all over the wood (front, back, and sides) until it is completely covered. Cleaning Wood Cutting Boards With Vinegar. Most people don’t know that wooden cutting boards shouldn’t be washed in a dishwasher. This will keep it safe and looking good for a long time. Vinegar and Hydrogen Peroxide Spray the board with undiluted vinegar and wipe it … Despite my affection for cutting boards, I’m definitely a slacker when it comes to cleaning. Rinse thoroughly with hot water. Also known as sour salt and lemon salt, citric acid is a mild acid helpful for removing spots and hard water stains (Berthold-Bond, 1999). "Cutting boards cannot be stored in outdoor kitchens where they are exposed to humidity and the elements," she says. Used in conjunction, cutting board oil and cream provide an effective combination of protective outer layer and sealed wood that is sanitary, easier to clean and won’t warp. It's a very simple process: Wipe the board down with warm, soapy water and towel dry, says Mandy Cook of John Boos & Co., makers of heirloom-quality wooden cutting boards. Most importantly, do not ignore your cutting board. It also aids in antimicrobial properties. Be sure to clean any crevices where food and bacteria may hide. After, pat it dry with paper towels and store it in a dry cupboard. All Rights Reserved. Don’t worry though, you don’t need to run out to the store to get some fancy cleaner. Sure, you shouldn’t put them in the dishwasher, but cleaning a wood cutting board isn’t hard at all. You can try bleach, hydrogen peroxide, or white vinegar. And remember to oil all sides of a cutting board. Boos developed a special food-grade oil, their Mystery Oil ($9.99, bedbathandbeyond.com) that penetrates deeply into the grain of the wood to help protect and moisturize the wood fibers. Sprinkle kosher salt (because of its larger crystals) on the board and squeeze lemon juice on top of it. You can also use coarse salt to rub on the surface of the board after the initial rinse to clean off food debris. "It must be oiled a minimum of every three to four weeks for the lifetime of the board," says Cook, "even if it is not in use." Caring for a wood cutting board is as important as using it since caring for it guarantees its longevity and utility. Keep your wooden cutting board cleaner by occasionally scrubbing it with a paste made from baking soda and water. All can be made in 45 minutes or less. First, remember that it's essential to clean a cutting board after each use and that wooden cutting boards should be hand-washed. Just sprinkle baking soda on the surface of the cutting board, then work it into the surface stains with a lemon (which also makes the board smell amazing, by the way) or a gentle sponge or wash cloth. You might be using your cutting board to chop up raw meat and fish so it can be a breeding ground for E. coli, Salmonella, or Staphylococcus. Start by carving out a designated work area in your space. HOW TO CLEAN A WOOD CUTTING BOARD: DO’S AND DON’TS Do wash your cutting board by hand. "It gives a protective top layer to the wood surface against foods and liquids and helps keep the water out and the oil in," she says. To remove mold, you have a few options. Recommended Products. After each use, a wooden cutting board should be cleaned with warm water, dish soap, and a soft sponge.